Seven Years as a Substitute

"All right, stop crying now. I'll put some medicine on it for you."

He gently patted my head to soothe me as he got up to grab the first aid kit, muttering along the way.

"Look at you. Such a big girl, but still afraid of pain and always crying. What would you do without me?"

I stared blankly at the red burn mark on my wrist.

Yes, I'd been spoiled for a full seven years. What would I do without him?

But, Dominic, I don't want you anymore. I don't want this fake love anymore. I said to myself.

That night, I couldn't sleep well and woke up covered in sweat. The safe house was quiet, the way it always was at that hour, when even the soldiers on rotation outside kept their voices to murmurs.

Just as dawn was breaking, Dominic pulled me out of bed.

I grumbled, trying to push him away, but he just chuckled and leaned in to kiss me.

Instantly, all my sleepiness vanished. I almost slapped him, but barely managed to hold myself back.

Luckily, it was just a quick kiss.

"Awake yet, my Sleeping Beauty?"

I turned away, wiping my mouth in disgust.

"It's the weekend. Why can't you let people sleep in?"

Dominic looked helpless. "Did you know you had a fever last night? Get up. I'm taking you to Dr. Ferraro."

Although I felt mostly fine, I couldn't argue with him, so I reluctantly got up.

In the corridor of the private clinic the Marchetti Family kept on retainer, we unexpectedly ran into Serafina.

It looked like she had hurt her foot and was struggling to hop down the hallway on her own.

Dominic, who had been gentle just moments before, instantly frowned. Forgetting I was beside him, he rushed over to Serafina and held her, asking in concern, "What happened?"

Serafina smiled at him, looking past him toward me. She touched her collarbone with her fingertips, a gesture so small it barely registered.

"It's just a sprained ankle. What a coincidence. You two are here for a checkup too?"

Dominic's expression froze. He glanced back at me, his eyes shifting.

"Yeah, my 'little sister' here had a bit of a fever, so I brought her in for a check-up."

I had grown used to being called "sister" by now.

From the moment Dominic decided not to acknowledge me to anyone in the Family, he introduced me as Marco Valente's little sister, someone he was helping to look after. A favor to an allied Family. Nothing more. Only his closest associates knew the truth of what I was to him.

Serafina nodded. "She's staying at your place, so of course, you have to look after her carefully. You two go on. I need to head over there."

She gestured toward the other examination room on the opposite side of the corridor.

Seeing her start hopping again, Dominic didn't think twice before scooping her up in his arms.

"Let me take you over. Bianca, wait here for me."

For some reason, as soon as I saw Serafina, I suddenly felt weak, drained of all energy. I leaned against the wall, saying nothing. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead. A soldier stationed near the clinic entrance glanced at me, then looked away. He knew better than to ask questions.

Dominic hadn't actually asked for my permission. After those words, he was already carrying Serafina toward the other room.

The fact was, no matter how well he acted, when faced with Serafina, genuine feelings slipped through, betraying the facade. And Dominic didn't even realize it.

I forced a bitter smile, turned and walked to my own examination room.

Apparently, it wasn't just in my head. After checking my temperature, the doctor told me my fever was as high as 41.3°C. The burn had become infected, worsened by my recent emotional stress, leading to a viral infection that required IV treatment.

Out of habit, I reached for my phone to call Dominic, but stopped myself before dialing.

My thumb found the ring on my right hand. I turned it once. Slowly.

Habit was a terrifying thing.

I gave a self-mocking smile, put my phone away, and headed to the IV room alone.