Chapter 2

The next morning, Ella happily put on the new dress I'd given her, looking like a little princess.

We'd all gotten ready and were about to leave for Sunday mass when the doorbell rang.

Lena stood on the doorstep, looking pitiful, her voice laced with envy.

"Signora, are you all going out? Could you take me along? I'm all by myself…"

I refused without hesitation.

"You had plenty of friends last night, didn't you? If no one's around, stay home. Don't bother us."

I took Ella's hand and started toward the door with Vincent.

Tears welled instantly in Lena's eyes, her voice cracking.

"Signora, I know you don't approve of me. I'm sorry. I won't cling to Vincent anymore."

Vincent immediately let go of my arm and grabbed Lena before she could leave.

"Lena, that's not what Isabella meant!"

Looking at Lena's wounded expression, his voice softened despite himself.

"Where would you like to go? I'll take you."

A quick, victorious smirk flickered across Lena's lips, and she shot me a look of pure provocation.

I caught Vincent's arm, my voice cold. "You promised last night. You said you'd spend today with me and Ella."

Vincent shoved me away and snapped.

"When can't I be with you two? Can you really stand by and watch Lena sit here all alone? Isabella, could you just be a little more understanding and give her a break?"

Then he took Lena's hand and murmured soothingly:

"Let's go."

It wasn't until they'd disappeared from sight that Ella pressed herself against me, quiet and miserable.

I forced a smile.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy will take you to the amusement park."

· · ·

On the drive, Ella sat with her head bowed, saying nothing.

My mind drifted to the way things used to be.

The Vincent I'd known would have put me and Ella above his own life. Apart from Family business, he poured every spare minute into us. A don who, in the middle of chaos, would carve out time to attend Ella's school events and listen to her chatter about what happened in class. A man who would meticulously orchestrate romantic surprises for our anniversaries.

But ever since he'd brought Lena on as his new lieutenant, his heart had begun to shift.

Lena's social media posts came one after another:

[The Don is SO generous—paid cash for Hermès! I'm going to give my life for this Family!]

[Thank you, Boss, for the massive red envelope!]

[Hehe, couple's discount at the café—today I'm playing Vincent's girlfriend~]

In every photo of that nine-grid collage, Vincent gazed at her with unbearable tenderness, as though she were his entire world.

I screenshotted it all and sent it to Vincent with a single question:

[Since when is she your girlfriend? Want me to step aside?]

Within seconds, I could no longer view any of Lena's posts. She'd blocked me.

Vincent never replied.

I stared at my phone, gripped by a sense of the absurd.

· · ·

The family outing we'd planned was torn apart entirely by Lena.

Ella had no enthusiasm. She barely licked at her favorite ice cream before losing interest.

That evening, I took her to a private dinner hosted by an old friend.

During the meal, someone asked why Vincent hadn't come.

I put on a smile and made excuses.

A friend raised her glass and teased:

"Back in university, Vincent was always running to find you. You two were the couple everyone envied!"

"Childhood sweethearts who made it to the altar, and now you've got this gorgeous little girl. The perfect life!"

I smiled, downed my wine, and swallowed the bitterness.

Vincent and I had grown up together. He'd been every inch the ringleader—mischievous, fearless, larger than life. Whenever we played games as children, he'd point at me with that grin of his and declare:

"I pick Isabella to be my bride!"

I was quiet. The other kids never paid me much attention. But Vincent always took my hand without a second thought, always stood at my side. That was when I first planted the seed of loving him.

Thinking of the happiness we'd shared, and the way he now favored Lena over everything, I felt a tightness in my chest. I excused myself and stepped out for air.

Passing a private dining room, I froze.

Inside, Vincent and Lena sat side by side—along with an older couple.

Through the crack in the door, I caught the sound of Lena's laughter.

"Mom, Dad, don't worry. Give me another year or two and I'll have Vincent locked down. I'll give you a grandson!"