Back to who? The girl you left broken? The one who died inside the moment she realized you faked your own death?

There's no Serafina waiting for you.

You can rot in your perfect fantasy with Elena.

You think I was the reason for your misery for five years?

You're worse than Damiano.

I found a seat in the stands as the race began. The crowd roared, wild cheers erupting when Damiano's name was announced over the speakers. Men who owed the family money clapped hardest.

Elena returned, sitting beside me. "Don't look so gloomy, sis. You should get out more."

I didn't answer.

"You know, fate's just cruel like that. Your husband died, mine survived the hit. You're just unlucky, but hey, some people are born like that. I guess I'm just lucky," she said with a smug little smile.

I clenched my jaw, hiding the storm brewing inside me. My thumbnail pressed hard into the center of my palm until the skin went white. I was about to snap when a loud crash made everyone go still.

"Honey!" Elena screamed in panic.

Dante's car hit the guardrail at speed. He overcorrected, and the crowd scattered in panic. Elena ran toward the wreck just as the ambulance pulled in. They dragged his unconscious, bleeding body from the driver's seat before the engine caught fire.

She climbed into the ambulance with him, crying hysterically.

I stayed where I was, calm. Watching.

How far could someone go for love?

I used to be like that. Pathetic. Chasing someone just to be loved back. Doing everything just to feel seen. But no matter what I did, I was never enough.

Dante almost died for Elena. That's love, huh?

It made me feel even more pathetic, because I knew no one would ever do that for me. No matter how much I gave.

Five days passed. I buried myself in the Family's business, not even bothering to check on Dante. I didn't care how he was doing or if he was even alive.

Then my phone rang. It was the hospital.

"Mrs. Moretti, maybe you forgot about the item in the freezer. Today's the last day we're holding it. Just let us know if you're picking it up or not."

I had forgotten. "I'll be there today."

I hung up, sitting on a bench in the compound courtyard and staring out past the iron gate. That ache in my chest wouldn't go away. It sat there like something with weight, something permanent.

I touched my stomach.

"This is the right thing," I whispered.