

After our eighty-eighth canceled wedding, I called my business partner. "I'm taking the Haviana market project." There was a beat of stunned silence. "Seriously? That's ten years overseas. You just got married—well, weren't you? Does your husband even know? What about your parents? You always said staying close to them was everything." I glanced around the empty church and let out a sharp laugh. "There was no wedding. No husband. And my parents? They've got Cindy. That's all they need." Another pause. "Alright. Pack your bags. You leave tomorrow." After the call, I ran a hand down my wedding dress. One last tear slipped out, quiet and pointless. Cindy had another "episode" today. Claimed she'd off herself. Andrew canceled—again. I'd looked at him, drained. "It's the eighty-eighth time." He dropped his head, guilt all over him. "Just a little more time, Viv. She's been off since the accident. I'm scared she'll actually do it. I swear, I'll talk to her. For real this time. Then we'll get married. Promise." My parents didn't hesitate. "Vivian, let Andrew go. If Cindy hadn't gotten kidnapped trying to save you, she wouldn't have these breakdowns. Are you really putting a wedding over your sister's life?" "How could you be so selfish?" I'd heard it all before. Used to fight it. Not this time. If neither my fiancé nor my parents wanted me around, then fine. I'd leave.

"My name is Catherine Moretti. I’m the illegitimate daughter of a mafia family—a woman who died once and clawed her way back. In my last life, my sister Rosa pushed me toward Grayson, who was stuck in a wheelchair, so she could marry Sergei. I became his caretaker, his crutch, and his outlet for desire. Then seven bullets from a rival family tore through my womb. At that exact moment, the man who had faked being paralyzed for years stood up and shoved me into the line of fire—just to protect the “heir” growing in Rosa’s belly. I was reborn on the day of the marriage selection. I pried Rosa’s hand off mine, looked everyone in the eye, and smiled. “This time, I choose no one.” They thought I was just throwing a tantrum. They had no idea I never wanted love. I wanted the highest seat in the mafia—the one they were all fighting over. Two men, the same face, and in both lives they picked the same woman. Fine by me. Saves me the trouble of getting revenge one by one. But this time, Grayson and Sergei are losing their minds with regret."