Betrayed and Betrothed

I couldn’t let Leonardo catch me. I had no idea what he might do to me in this situation. I turned around and left immediately. I called my assistant, Troy. "Send a boat right away to get me out of here."

The moment I stepped ashore, my phone vibrated with a message flashing on the screen.

[Madeline, that was you just now, wasn’t it? You should know that Leonardo will hold a wedding with you, but I’ll be the one officially added to the family album.

And by the way, Leonardo wants to sleep with me every day. I just took a test. I’m already pregnant. In this lifetime, it’s finally my turn to become the real mafia wife.]

It was Dora. It was no wonder that in my previous lifetime, she and Leonardo had no apparent connection, but in this one, they couldn’t wait to make their relationship public within just a few days. They had already planned everything to quickly join forces and push me aside in this lifetime.

I thought back to my previous lifetime–how the Vittorio family, with my family’s support, reclaimed a critical trade port, secured countless arms deals, and saw their wealth skyrocket. Within a few years, they had risen to lead the southern mafia.

The elders of the Vittorio family were extremely pleased with me, believing it was all my doing.

They treated me with utmost favor.

It wasn’t until I discovered those photos.

Just then, my father walked into my room. His voice was deep. "Ivan will return from overseas in five days."

I froze slightly. In the previous lifetime, Ivan’s fiancées all mysteriously disappeared one after another. Rumors said he had a peculiar fetish, that no one dared marry him, and naturally, he had no heir to inherit the family.

But what I did know was that he was a man of immense power and influence. If I wanted revenge, marrying him might be the best option.

The next morning, I arrived at the stables early. A pair of purebred black warhorses stood gracefully in the morning light, their sleek manes flowing and muscles taut. They were personally bred and trained by me. It was a gift I had once planned for Leonardo in the previous lifetime.

Back then, I had wanted to marry him with all my heart. Everything had been tailored to his tastes, down to the golden saddle and decorative harnesses. But in this lifetime, I could finally decorate my horse the way I wanted.

Yet a few days later, I saw Dora’s social media post. In the photo, she was riding my meticulously trained purebred horse, while Leonardo stood beside her, smiling.

“Leonardo knew I needed a good horse, so he specially sent me one. Being spoiled like this feels amazing!”

I clenched my fists.

When I rushed to the stables, Dora was parading my horse before Leonardo, looking every bit like she was reveling in her privilege.

"You have no right to ride it," I said coldly.

Seeing me, Dora immediately put on her pitiful act and bit her lips gently. Her eyes welled up with tears.

"Leonardo, did I do something wrong? Why does Madeline seem so upset?"

Leonardo casually pulled her into his arms. His tone was impatient. "It’s just a horse. It belongs to you. Won’t it be mine sooner or later? What’s the harm in letting Dora ride it now?"

I could hardly believe his shamelessness.

"Who told you it would be yours?"

Leonardo sneered. His tone dripped with mockery. "Madeline, what’s yours is mine. Your stables will serve our family in the end."

I glanced at the riding crop beside me, grabbed it, and lashed it hard against the saddle.

The startled horse reared up sharply, throwing Dora to the ground.

She landed awkwardly. Her dress was stained with dust, and a flicker of panic appeared in her eyes.

"Madeline, you’re acting more and more like a shrew! With a temper like this, you’re completely unworthy of being my wife!"

Leonardo glared at me furiously.

I looked at him coldly.

"Leonardo, you’ve underestimated my ability to be ruthless. I hate it the most when someone takes my sincerity and repeatedly tramples it. I don’t love you anymore. And I will never marry you."

Leonardo stiffened. He had never seen me like this before. In the past, no matter how much I caused a scene, I would always give in eventually. But this time, I was absolutely resolute in cutting ties with him.

He instinctively reached out to grab me, but just then, Dora started sobbing. "Leonardo, it hurts so much. My leg is bleeding.”

Leonardo stood still, his eyes flashing with fury and a twisted sense of confidence. He clenched his jaw and spoke in a deep and threatening voice.

"Madeline, you’ll come crying to me soon enough! Don’t think I don’t know your little tricks!”