Seven Years as a Substitute

Seeing that I was silent, she tilted her head slightly, carefully studying my face.

"I've wanted to say this since the first time we met. Don't you think we look very much alike, little sister?"

In that moment, I had never felt such humiliation and disgrace. Under her triumphant gaze, I could only flee in panic.

Back in the private room, my colleagues' warmth began to thaw my icy blood. Just as I was about to cast aside that unpleasant encounter, the door to the room swung open.

Seeing the two full tables of people, Dominic froze for a moment, then locked eyes with me. I could see the restrained anger in his gaze, though I couldn't understand why. The noise in the room died the way it always did when he appeared. Forks stilled. Conversations went unfinished. The two tables of associates sat straighter without thinking, because that was what the body did in the presence of the Marchetti name.

He clenched his fists before finally calling my name, ordering me outside. Puzzled, I followed him out, only to be met with a hard slap in the corridor.

It was the first time he had ever hit me.

As I stared at him in disbelief, he showed no sign of guilt or hesitation. Just pure fury. His thumb had been running along the edge of his jaw the whole walk out, and I hadn't recognized the warning for what it was.

"Why did you push Serafina? You knew she had a twisted ankle. I told you I'd explain things when we got back, but you just had to handle it so harshly?"

My cheek burned with pain. The hallway of the Family-owned restaurant was empty, the overhead lights casting hard shadows against the dark wood paneling. Somewhere behind the kitchen doors, a plate clattered, and then nothing. Even the staff knew better than to be present for this.

In the distance, Serafina hobbled toward us, her blouse rumpled, stained with water and dirt. Just as I opened my mouth to explain, she fell to the ground with a dramatic thud.

Without a second thought, Dominic pushed past me and rushed over, cradling her in his arms.

"I told you I'd bring her over to apologize to you. Why did you come out here?" he said. Though his words sounded reproachful, his voice was filled with tenderness.

With tears in her eyes, Serafina shook her head at him. Her fingertips drifted to her collarbone, pressing there as if she needed steadying. "It's not a big deal. She didn't do it on purpose. Don't be so hard on her."

"If her brother finds out you hit his sister, it might hurt the bond between you two," she added.

At the mention of Marco, a strange expression crossed Dominic's face. The Valente name still carried weight he couldn't ignore, even now. But his resolve returned as he looked back at Serafina.

"Her brother entrusted her to me, so it's my duty to correct her when she's in the wrong," he said firmly.

I laughed bitterly and couldn't resist asking, "What exactly did I do wrong? Even in court, you need solid evidence to convict someone. Haven't you thought about how unfair it is to judge me and even lay hands on me without understanding the truth?"

Dominic clenched his fists, glaring at me. "You knew there were no cameras in the restroom, so you thought you could act without consequence."

I felt both amused and stung by the injustice.

"If there are no cameras, then how can you be sure it was me?"

"Why would Serafina wrongfully accuse you? She must have a reason, right? Besides, I've known her for years. She's not the kind of person who lies."

"And I am?" I asked, my voice barely hiding the bitterness.

After seven years together, I thought he would trust my character, if nothing else. But I was wrong. In front of Serafina, even seven years meant nothing. One word from her was all it took to convict me, leaving me without a chance to defend myself.

It was blatant favoritism, a glaring display of partiality. And I, in the end, was nothing more than a stand-in, a replacement with nothing to offer. Seven years inside the Marchetti world, and my word carried less weight than that of a woman who had been gone from it for most of them.

I turned my ring slowly with my thumb. The small gold band on my right hand, the one I'd worn since I was a girl. It rotated once. Twice. Then stopped.

Seeing no point in arguing further, I turned to leave, ignoring Dominic's furious commands to stay.

With the mark of his slap still on my face, I didn't want to ruin my associates' evening, so I chose not to return to the private room. Instead, I went to the front of the restaurant, settled the bill, and sent them a message:

"Something urgent came up, so I had to leave. Enjoy the meal and drinks. It's on me."