Chapter Three

I packed my bag into my luggage, wiping away my tears. I was done crying for Luciano while he partied with his new family. His sisters were already present.

I was still packing when the door burst open. Amanda strode in, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she folded her arms across her chest.

“I can see you’re already leaving. You made the right choice, darling,” she said proudly.

I looked at her without saying a word. Luciano had always claimed she was just a friend. I didn’t know she had been screwing my husband right in front of me.

“You were never the right person for Luciano,” she added.

“Now that you’ve got what you wanted, can you move out of my way and let me leave?” my tone changed at the edge.

She chuckled. “Of course.”

She cleared a path for me, and I dragged my feet out, hauling my luggage behind me.

“Right!” Her voice stopped me again and I wondered what else she wanted to say.

“I guess you got the little present I sent you.” She said teasingly.

Her present? What was she talking about?

“Since Luciano couldn’t do it, I decided to do it for him. I wanted you to see for yourself that you mean nothing to Luciano.”

“You sent the invitation to me?” I squinted in disbelief. Luciano had been right — he never sent it.

“It was for the best. I guess he really doesn’t want you anymore.” She smiled coldly.

“What Luciano doesn’t know is that it was easier to ruin him and I… I have nothing to lose. And I will make sure to ruin him.” I clenched my fist.

Amanda laughed. “By telling the whole city he cheated on you or drove you out for his new girlfriend? Wake up girl, He is the nation’s sweetheart, will anyone believe you were married to him?”

“You have no legal proof. they’ll just think you’re a maniac seeking attention. Just take the money and go far away to start your life afresh.”

“Let’s see who wins,” I said through gritted teeth, my tears threatening to fall, though I would never shed them in front of her.

But I knew Amanda was right. Who will believe me?

I left Luciano’s house, leaving behind the pairs of heels he had bought me when he started making it in the industry back then when his love had still felt real.

Luciano didn’t try to stop me from leaving, and then I really realized it was over.

**

I stared at the giant gate painted deep black and sighed. I was back at my father’s mansion the same house I had left six years ago, cursing his beliefs and lifestyle.

The moment the old guards saw me, their eyes widened in shock. They immediately bowed at ninety degrees and chorused, “Welcome home, little Miss!”

Right — I was back. And I would make Luciano and his family cry blood.

My father, Ethan Dracula, walked down the stairs toward me, his feet heavy like rocks. Sweat glistened on his skin and I immediately guessed he had just finished his morning workout.

There was no warmth in his eyes, only coldness. The same one i had seen after my mother, his darling wife died. He didn’t mourned or give anyone a chance to mourn. Instead, he had handed his pistol to his five-year-old daughter and told her to aim.

How cruel!

“Is that a way to welcome your long-lost daughter home?” I scoffed.

“Daughter? I never had one. The moment you left you ceased being my daughter,” Father said plainly, and I winced because it hurt.

It hurt more than I had ever thought, to be abandoned by my father too.

“But, Dad…” I started, but he shut me out by walking away.

It had been six years since I saw my father, and yet he still looked the same sharp, younger, and stronger. Calculative, unshaken

The housekeeper, the old granny Mrs. Bale, was happy to see me. She helped me move my luggage and settle back into my old room.

It was still the same as I had left it, there were no traces of dust showing she had cleaned it often while I was gone.

“I knew you would be back,” her voice jolted me from my thoughts. I could sense the seriousness in her tone.

I stared at her. “What do you mean?”

“Never mind,” she muttered. “You should freshen up and rest. Don’t worry, Your father will forgive you and welcome you back home.” She added, then left.

I freshened up like she said and lay on the bed.

When it was time for dinner, Mrs. Bale came to call me out. I stepped down the stairs and walked over to Father’s side. He was already eating.

The moment he saw me, his expression changed. “You’re still here?” His voice was soft yet dangerous.

“Dad…” I started.

“Don’t call me that. Return to your so-called husband’s house right now! He made quite a fortune, right? Good luck.”

“He dumped me. He cheated on me. He brought another woman home,” I said tearfully.

Father seemed to freeze, but maybe I read him wrong.

“Serves you right,” he said, chewing on his steak.

“I know,” I mumbled and took a seat. “I was never made for love, and you were right — love doesn’t exist, only death does. That’s why I need you, Father. I need your power…”

“I’m not interested in whatever revenge plan you have in mind,” Father cut me off, his face dropping.

“You want him to stomp on your daughter and go scot-free?” My eyes were filled with fresh tears. “I want to rejoin the family business, the gang.”

“I thought you called it trash,” Father scoffed.

I lowered my head, ashamed. When I left I had cursed at everything.

“I was just childish. That’s why I came back crawling at your feet to beg. I’m back to take over as your heiress.”

“Do you still have what it takes?” he scoffed. “Look at you. You look way too weak. Do you even know how to hold a pistol anymore?”

“I’ll learn. I’m ready to start from scratch,” I said, determined.

“No. You are no longer my daughter. I’ll never give the position back to you. Dinner is over.” Father stood to leave.

I blocked his path, dropping to my knees and grabbing his feet. I was ready to do anything to get back at Luciano. I needed Father. I needed his power, the family’s power, to make Luciano pay and regret ever betraying me.

“Please, Dad. I’m ready to do anything. I’ll prove my worth.”

“Really?” Father finally spared me a glance.

I could see the smirk on his face, the same smirk that always appeared when he thought of something dangerous. Extremely dangerous.

“Then get married and get my revenge.” He blurted out.

My brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Get married to Rohan Sylvia.” He revealed.

I blinked. Rohan Sylvia?

Not just an ordinary man, He was my ex-childhood friend. The son of his enemy, also his enemy.

His father, Zoe Sylvia, who’d once been my father’s right-hand man, was said to have betrayed him. That betrayal sparked a major fallout and turned both families into bitter enemies.

Even after his father died, the enmity passed to Rohan, who took over his own gang and built his empire.

For as long as I could remember even the ten years before I left, he’d been nothing but an enemy. Our family’s enemy.

War break out whenever they met and now, I am to marry him?

“Make him fall in love with you then break his heart exactly after six months and divorce him. Leave him completely shattered!” Father ordered.

I was speechless.

Marriage? I had no interest in marriage anymore, not even to someone like him.

I guess my expression said it all.

“You can’t do it, right?” Father scoffed.

“Then forget your revenge on your ex-husband,” he said, ready to walk away.

I closed my eyes tightly and spoke, firm. “I’ll do it. I will marry Rohan Sylvia!”

I meant it when I said the bad bitch was back!

He wanted to leave but then stopped facing me.

“Right…” Father chuckled dryly. “They say he’s getting married in a week. You can do it, right?”

My face dropped completely.

Marriage? Rohan was about getting married?