Your Life Comes Before Mine

After my ex-husband, Lucaro Ricci, has died, he turns into a ghost. Since then, he has stayed by my side as a shadow. Three years later, I walk into the church, hand-in-hand with Carlo Altieri, the oldest son of Lucaro's arch-nemesis. Everyone in the city chews me out for betraying Lucaro. Even Lucaro curses me out for being a scumbag. But I'm the only one who knows the actual reason. I've already made a wish to God in the church that I'll sacrifice my life in exchange for Lucaro's second chance in life. Chapter 1 On the opulent cruise ship, gold decorations glittered and lights blazed. After returning from freshening my makeup, I overheard Carlo Altieri—Don of the Altieri famiglia and the man I was soon to marry—speaking with other members of the mafia. "Don Altieri, you're sure to win the wager with Don Fabio." "Yeah. You personally trained Ms. Santoro—she wouldn't dare go against you. Even if you were to flirt with a dancer in front of her, she'd act like she didn't see a thing." "I remember that rainy day when Don Altieri wanted to fool around with a dancer in the car. Ms. Santoro drove the car for him and stood outside in the rain, waiting for him to finish before heading home." "It's truly enviable, Don Altieri. You must teach us. Where can one find a well-behaved girlfriend like Ms. Santoro?" Through the door, I heard Carlo chuckle softly before saying, "She loves me. Naturally, she sees me as her master. No matter what I do, she'll never leave." "Speaking of which, Ms. Santoro has been with you for three years now…" I stiffened up when I heard this. It had already been three years—I had actually been with Carlo for three years. The corners of my mouth involuntarily twitched as I felt a pang of bitterness for a moment. I was the one who had actively sought and begged for this relationship with Carlo. Before we started our relationship, I had told him, "No matter who you choose to fool around with in the future, I'll turn a blind eye to it—as long as I can stay with you." Carlo had raised an eyebrow when he heard that. He probably hadn't seen such a foolish woman before, which was why he agreed. Over these three years, I had to admit that he treated me exceptionally well. I also kept my promise, allowing the companions around Carlo to come and go. Even when he took women for romps in the car, I would quietly drive the vehicle and wait for him to finish. I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze as I walked into the private room. Just as I neared Carlo, someone suddenly pulled me into their arms. Before I could see who it was, the overwhelming smell of alcohol made me nauseous. "I say, Don Altieri, since you don't care for Ms. Santoro, why not give her to me? I promise I'll treat her well. Whatever you can give her, I'll give her more." The moment these words were spoken, the air in the entire room seemed to freeze. Everyone looked at Carlo, then cast sympathetic glances at the drunk Don of an up-and-coming famiglia. Carlo suddenly laughed. He whistled from his seat, and I immediately broke free from the man's grasp and slunk over to him like a dog. Carlo reached out and patted my head. The next second, he suddenly pulled a gun from his pocket and aimed it at the drunken Don. A loud bang sounded, and blood splattered everywhere. The man's Soldati instinctively closed in, but Carlo's men subdued them immediately. Carlo walked over and looked down coldly at the man. "Who gave you the courage to try and take what's mine? I hate it most when others touch my things." As soon as he spoke, a few of his men promptly dragged away the person, whose bloodstains remained on the floor. Carlo took out a handkerchief and blindfolded me gently, whispering in my ear, "Wen, I'll never give you to anyone else. You can only be mine." I nodded obediently. "Alright." I found it somewhat amusing to see Carlo look so serious. It was no wonder there were rumors that he didn't care about anyone else but me. … Back at Altieri Manor, I handed Carlo a glass of water to help him sober up. After drinking it, he went to his room to sleep. I walked to the balcony to enjoy the night breeze. Suddenly, someone hissed in my ear, "Nancy Greco, your bravado depends on the person, huh?" Then, he huffed and said sulkily, "Whatever. It's not for me to decide who you're with or how you should live. "After all, my words have never truly reached you." I stared at the stars in the distance and clenched my jaw tightly, forcing myself to hold back from explaining. Just then, fireworks lit up the night sky outside. It was Halloween that day. I gazed at the stars and sighed softly. Before I knew it, I had already held on for three years. Three years ago, my ex-husband, Lucaro Ricci, died in an assassination attempt. After his death, he remained by my side as a spirit. I sought out a priest about this issue. He told me it was because Lucaro loved me too much, and that his love had become an obsession, preventing him from ascending to heaven. The priest said there was only one solution—make Lucaro let go of his obsession with me and make him believe that I had fallen in love with someone else. As such, I had deliberately approached Carlo, Lucaro's rival, and had gotten very intimate with him to convince him that I loved him. Finally, a few days ago, the priest told me Lucaro's obsession with me was slowly fading. He also said that, in 15 days, it would be a good day that could help make Lucaro's departure easier. Thinking of this, I smiled faintly. Once Lucaro successfully ascended, I wouldn't have to pretend to be devoted to Carlo anymore. Perhaps this could even be liberation for all three of us. Chapter 2 The night wind was chilly, so I went back to the living room and sat down for a bit. Unknowingly, I drifted off to sleep. In my dream, I saw the day Lucaro left me. He was riddled with bullets, his body torn and bloody, yet he still managed to hang on just to see me one last time. Once he saw me, the pain-twisted expression on his face softened a little. "Wen… don't forget me." I cried until I fainted, murmuring over and over, "Caro, I beg you, don't leave me!" When I woke up, I met Carlo's inscrutable gaze. I froze in place, and my back was covered in cold sweat. Carlo was born privileged. If he knew the real reason I was with him, not only would I be punished, but even Lucaro's remains wouldn't be safe. I trembled, unsure of what to say to Carlo. Unexpectedly, he gently wiped the tears from my face and asked, "Why are you crying? I said I wouldn't leave you." I was still in shock when Carlo pulled me into his arms and said, "You calling me by my full name always makes you sound so distant." My lips parted, but I couldn't think of what to say. Carlo didn't press me to speak up. He said gently, "If you don't like me being away, you can just tell me. I'll spend more time with you. "Or is it that you don't like me seeing those dancers? I'll delete all their contacts right now, okay?" Carlo muttered to himself, sounding sincere. Still, I knew his flirtatious nature—this sincerity was only temporary, and his love would fade with time. I reached up to wipe the tears from my cheeks and smiled. "I told you, I don't mind." Before, when I said this, Carlo was always pleased. Now, his expression suddenly shifted and darkened. He stared at me and asked, "What if I said I've changed now, that I don't like this indifferent and understanding act of yours anymore? What would you do then?" I quickly put on an appeasing smile. "Whatever you say goes. If you want me to care, I'll care. If you want me not to, I won't." Carlo grabbed my wrist, gradually increasing the pressure until it hurt enough to make me frown. Only then did he finally let go. "Wendy Santoro, don't get any ideas. We agreed from the start that no matter what I do outside, you'll stay out of it. Don't you dare go back on your word!" Carlo's shift in mood came suddenly, leaving me momentarily at a loss. By the time I gathered my wits, all I could see was his back as he walked away. The vast manor fell silent once more. I saw Lucaro's spirit chasing after Carlo, punching and kicking him. Then, he returned to me, murmuring, "Your wrist is all red. It must hurt a lot." I met Lucaro's concerned gaze and felt my chest ache. I quickly hid the injured wrist with my sleeve, bit my lip, and held myself back from making a sound. I was afraid I'd instinctively run to Lucaro and throw myself into his arms, crying and acting spoiled like I used to. I missed Lucaro terribly, but to ensure that he could ascend to heaven smoothly, I had to keep the secret. I could only steal glances at him when he wasn't paying attention. After Lucaro died, I had wanted to join him countless times. However, I was afraid that his soul wouldn't reach heaven, that he'd be lost in this world with no home, and that I might forget him after I died. And so, I was trapped here, with nowhere to go. After a while, I finally calmed down and got up to cook myself a steak. Just as the pan heated up, a maid came to tell me, "Ms. Santoro, you have a visitor. She says she's your friend." I couldn't help but feel puzzled. My friend? Who was it? I looked where the maid pointed and saw a strikingly stunning face that was completely unfamiliar to me. The moment the woman saw me, she slapped me several times. Caught off guard, I fell to the floor, feeling my cheek burn with pain. A second later, a bottle was thrown at my head. "Wendy, how dare you steal my man! You bitch!" I curled up helplessly in a corner. In my daze, I saw Lucaro's spirit step before me. "Don't hit Wen! If you want to hit someone, hit me!" Unfortunately, he was just a spirit. He couldn't protect me. The things thrown at me passed straight through his body. He tried desperately to block them, but there was nothing he could do. For a moment, his movements looked almost absurd. Still, I couldn't laugh at all. Instead, tears streamed down from the corners of my eyes. When Carlo rushed back, he found me covered in blood, with shards scattered all around. I was curled up in a corner, silently crying. Carlo's eyes reddened. Then, for the first time ever, he lost control and grabbed an antique vase, hurling it at the woman. He ran over and gently held me. "Wen, I'm back. No one will hurt you again." I looked past him to Lucaro, who was standing aside. He stood frozen, with one hand still outstretched, before slowly lowering it in defeat. Tears spilled from my eyes like a broken dam. Chapter 3 Carlo had never seen me like this before and was momentarily at a loss for how to comfort me. His movements were a little clumsy, but his voice was incredibly gentle. "I'm sorry I was late. Please don't cry. If you stop crying, I'll do anything. "Wen, seeing you cry breaks my heart." Carlo was usually domineering, and anyone who saw him like this would be shocked. After all, who'd believe that a once-promiscuous Don could now humbly coax a woman? The woman who hurt me was the same. She went completely mad seeing this side of Carlo, screaming, "Carlo, our engagement was something you agreed to and something my Nonno acknowledged! You can't just abandon me like this!" Carlo didn't even glance her way. "Anna Fiore, if you want to make such a scene, I don't mind having a chat with your Padre." Anna instantly shut up, not daring to make a sound. Carlo picked me up and carried me back to the room. The family doctors came in shortly after to treat my wounds. However, my tears wouldn't stop, and my body trembled uncontrollably from crying. Several doctors stood around me, helpless, and they had no choice but to turn to Carlo for help. Carlo walked over and hugged me tenderly. "That azure necklace you liked before, I'll have someone buy it for you right away, okay? "And you said you wanted to see the ocean. Once you're healed, I'll take you there, hmm? I'll buy you a villa by the sea so we can go whenever you want. "Wen, do you miss your parents? I'll have someone bring them to you right away, alright?" Lucaro couldn't help but speak up in a low voice. "They've been dead for a long time. How are you going to do that? You planning to dig them up? "You've bought her all those things many times already. She doesn't care about them. Just hold her tightly in your arms. You've been together for three years and still don't know how to comfort her." … By the time my emotions had calmed, it was already dark. Surprisingly, Carlo continued holding me without leaving my side. He even kissed my cheek after seeing me calm down. "How about I take you to the seaside tomorrow to clear your mind?" he offered. I lowered my head, gently refusing. "No, I promised the priest I'd go to church to pray tomorrow." Carlo was puzzled. "It's supposed to snow tomorrow. The roads will be slippery and hard to walk on. Do you really have to go?" I looked down and said softly, "After you were almost killed in that assassination attempt, I went there day and night to pray. I made a vow to go every month so you would be protected." Carlo was moved by my words. "Alright, then. I'll go with you." I closed my eyes, suddenly exhausted. My eyelids felt as heavy as lead. Carlo gently tucked me in and slipped out quietly. Drowsiness gradually overtook me. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard my phone chime. I reached for it but realized it was Carlo's phone. Normally, I would never invade his privacy. But that day, for some reason, I tapped open the message. "Don Altieri, how was it? Wasn't Anna's performance today great?" Chapter 4 "Before, you were upset that Wendy never allowed you to touch her. Now that you've played the hero, was Wendy so moved that she cried? "I guarantee that after today, Wendy won't refuse your advances anymore." Even after reading the texts, my expression remained calm. "Wen…" Lucaro's voice sounded in my ear. I didn't look up, but I heard him let out a sigh. A moment later, I set the phone back where it was, pretending nothing had happened. The next morning, I woke to find Carlo gone. Only his trusted man, Enzo Lombardi, was waiting for me. When he saw me, he explained, "Don Altieri has matters to attend to today, so he asked me to take you directly to the church." I lightly replied, "Okay." Enzo probably thought I was upset because Carlo wasn't with me, so he quickly added, "Don Altieri cares about you very much. He knew you were going there, so he specifically contacted the church to receive only you today." I nodded in acknowledgement. Years ago, this church caught fire by accident. The Altieri famiglia donated money for its renovations, so naturally the priests there would show Carlo some courtesy. "Let's go and not waste any time," I said. Enzo hurried off to get the car. I waited for a while, but when I still saw no sign of Enzo, I started walking toward where the car was parked. There, I saw him instructing others. "Whatever you do, don't let it slip today that Don Altieri went shopping with Ms. Amy, understand?" I stopped in my tracks and smiled wryly. I really didn't mind Carlo fooling around outside. After all, the nature of my relationship with him was clear to both of us—I was just the decoy he put up to appease the famiglia. I only complied with everything just so Lucaro could truly let me go and ascend to heaven smoothly. But even such a performance had its limits. I couldn't truly sleep with Carlo, especially in front of Lucaro. Even sharing a bed was unacceptable to me. Fortunately, Carlo didn't like forcing people to do things. He said he was willing to wait until I truly accepted him. The car stopped at the church entrance, and I walked in alone. Despite the bright sunshine, it started raining the moment I stepped inside. I saw Lucaro standing outside, unable to enter. The priest had explained before that spirits couldn't enter holy places like churches. That was also why I could pray inside with peace of mind. Inside the church, the priest, Piero Volta, had been waiting for me. He smiled when he saw me. "God has heard your prayers. Each candle you light brings your wish one step closer." Father Piero and I had known each other for years. He was the first to extend a helping hand after Lucaro's incident. After all these years, I really would never be able to repay all the kindness I had received. All I could say was, "Thank you, Father Piero." He handed me a candle. Just as I was about to take it, I heard him say, "Ms. Santoro, it's not too late to change your mind. I believe that Mr. Ricci wouldn't want to see you do this if he knew." I smiled, took the candle, and lit it. "Father Piero, after all these years of effort, I'm only one step away. As long as I willingly sacrifice myself when Lucaro gives up on me, he'll be able to enter heaven. "For him, I will never regret it." Chapter 5 By the time I finished praying and left the church, it was already late at night. I saw Lucaro standing to the side, quietly watching the entrance. This scene made me think of the times he used to wait for me while I shopped. I had always enjoyed looking at every new item in a store. He wasn't interested, but he would just stand there, waiting for me. Back then, with him standing quietly to the side, I thought he was unromantic and dull. Now, looking back, I realized that what we had was beautiful. Lucaro loved me too much, and that love truly filled every little detail of our past life together. It was also because of that love that he now found it hard to ascend to heaven, leaving him only as a faint spirit lingering by my side. Unfortunately, I was "cold-hearted and unfaithful", having fallen for his rival soon after his death. Even so, for the past three years, he had never let go of his obsession with me. It wasn't until he heard about Carlo and me discussing marriage recently that he realized that he had to leave. What a fool. He was just a wisp of a spirit now. How could he protect me like before? Although I was mad at him, I still slowed my pace to see if he was keeping up. It was so cold here. Even as a spirit, he had to be cold, too. It would be best if he followed me home. Lucaro followed behind me, complaining about why I didn't wear more clothes, telling me to walk more slowly and to be careful of the slippery path. When he noticed Enzo, he asked carefully, "Wendy, when you spend so long praying at church, is it really only for Carlo? Did you think of me, even for a moment?" I didn't dare look back or show any expression that might give me away. I gritted my teeth and clenched my hands tightly inside my pockets. I had thought of him—every thought in my heart, every longing, was only for Lucaro. But I couldn't say it, nor did I dare to. Enzo approached me and said, "Ms. Santoro, Don Altieri is going up the mountain to race with a few friends. He asks if you would like to come, and that he wants you to bring him luck." As soon as he finished speaking, I saw a black sports car approaching from a distance and stopping in front of me. The car was extremely expensive, and I had heard that there were only five like it in the world. After Carlo bought it, he had it specially modified, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to do so. The car window rolled down, revealing Carlo and a beautifully dressed woman in the passenger seat. Before Carlo could explain, I calmly said, "Have fun, you guys. I'll head back first." In the past, Carlo rarely troubled me. Especially now, since he had a beautiful companion by his side, I figured he wouldn't invite me out again. That was why I hadn't expected that when Carlo heard this that day, he would make the beautiful woman get out of the car. Carlo patted the passenger seat and called my name. "Wen." I instinctively glanced at Lucaro beside me. I had promised him before that I would never do anything that endangered my safety. But if I said that out loud, Lucaro would definitely become suspicious. No. I only had one last step. I couldn't falter now. "Alright." I obediently got in. I was smiling, but my heart ached deep inside. I didn't even need to look at Lucaro to imagine his expression right now. He had to be utterly disappointed in me. Carlo hadn't expected me to agree. A flicker of emotion crossed his face as he lowered his head and kissed the back of my hand. He was saying something gentle, but I didn't pay attention. I only heard Lucaro's voice in my ear. "Wendy, did you forget your promise to me so quickly? Don't go! It's too dangerous! Have you already forgotten everything before? Or was I never important to you in the first place?" A sharp pain pierced my heart, and for a brief moment, it felt almost impossible to breathe. Just then, Carlo suddenly kissed me. But because I instinctively flinched, his kiss only lightly landed on my cheek. Carlos didn't get angry. Instead, he just chuckled softly. "Wen, you're my lucky charm." I didn't respond to him. I just looked out the car window at Lucaro's figure gradually fading into the distance. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face, but I quickly wiped them away. Just wait a little longer, Lucaro. In 12 days, all of this would come to an end. Chapter 6 The sports car roared along the road, stopping at the foot of the mountain after a sharp drift. I got out after Carlo and saw spotlights flashing everywhere. Deafening music from speakers seemed ready to burst out, with chaos and noise happening all around. I instinctively sought someone to hold onto amid the ruckus. When I looked up, I saw a graceful figure throw herself into Carlo's arms. Carlo glanced back at me. In the next instant, he wrapped his arm around the woman's waist. Encouraged by his response, the woman grew bolder and kissed Carlo as if no one else were around. As I stood very close to them, I could see their intimate entanglement clearly. Everyone else clapped and cheered, yet when they looked at me, their gazes were mocking. They clung to each other in front of me until the woman sweetly called, "Caro…" Only then did I speak up. "You can't call him that." As soon as my words fell, I remembered that Carlo was still there. Afraid he might notice something amiss, I paused and added coldly, "It doesn't sound good." The woman glared at me, then coyly said to Carlo, "Carlo, isn't this the person who helped drive us around last time? Look at her, daring to boss me around." Carlo turned to look at me, his eyes tinged with desire, and with red lipstick stains on his cheek. He smiled dismissively. "Wen, why are you so jealous? It's just a nickname. Is it worth getting so upset about it? At worst, I'll just make sure she doesn't say it in front of you again." I lowered my head, feeling my heart ache—but it wasn't because Carlos refused to grant me this small wish even after three years. It was because I couldn't even protect Lucaro's one and only special name. For the first time, I stood my ground. "I said, she isn't allowed to call him that." Carlo's expression darkened. He hadn't expected me to be so firm on this matter, leaving him embarrassed in front of everyone. He frowned and waved his hand. "Understood. Someone, take her to the grandstands. Don't let her disrupt things here." Enzo quickly came over to pull me away. "Ms. Santoro, these are all Don Altieri's associates. Don't do this. Otherwise, you'll humiliate him." As I watched Carlo walk away with his arm around the woman, I felt my heart harden. I then turned and followed Enzo. On our way to the grandstands, the whispers around me never stopped. "That's the lapdog who always follows Don Altieri, right? Why did she show up today? Is she trying to claim her territory?" "Don't be ridiculous. Don Altieri doesn't care about her at all. He's been openly flirting with others right in front of her. What kind of authority does she have?" "I heard that Wendy's just an ordinary person. She's no match for someone like Don Altieri. Being able to get close to him is already her greatest luck." "If she wants to keep her spot, she'd better bring condoms whenever Don Altieri is with other women. Otherwise, if she waits too long and someone uses the chance to climb the ranks, she'll be left with nothing." When Enzo heard the increasingly harsh gossip, he couldn't help but speak up. "All of you—" I stopped him. "Forget it. I don't mind." No matter how harshly they spoke, it didn't matter. As long as Lucaro could make it to heaven safely, nothing else mattered to me. Enzo looked at me with a trace of pity in his eyes. When we reached an empty spot, he suddenly said to me, "Ms. Santoro, let me tell you something. "Don Altieri isn't completely indifferent to you. He's already secretly planning a proposal. He said that once he proposes, he'll settle down. He'll cut ties with all these other women and be with you forever." As I looked at Enzo's earnest expression, I briefly felt a wave of helplessness. "Okay," I merely responded. Enzo saw me to the grandstands and then left. As I sat in my seat, the wind kicked up dust. I instinctively closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, Lucaro was sitting beside me. I clenched my jaw at the sight. Lucaro's voice was hoarse as he said, "Wen, you once told me that even if a man had money and looks, if he couldn't make you laugh or treat you as well as I did, you wouldn't like him." I gritted my teeth and looked up at the sky, pretending to be calm. However, inside me, a storm was raging. Lucaro gazed at me deeply. He was about to say something more when, the next second, I heard someone shout, "Bad news! There was an assassination attempt on Don Altieri! He was shot and fell down the mountainside!" I froze for a moment, feeling my blood run cold, then dashed forward like a madwoman. I tripped several times, causing my knees to scrape and bleed, yet I didn't even notice it. The wind howled, and Lucaro's sigh of despair was carried to my ears. "Wen, it turns out that Carlo is the one you truly love." Chapter 7 I was too frantic to carefully consider Lucaro's words. The word "assasination" cast a shadow over me, making me forget everything else in that moment. I followed Enzo all the way to the spot where Carlo had fallen, where spent bullet casings and scattered droplets of blood were on the ground. It all painfully reminded me of the scene from three years ago when Lucaro was assassinated. Enzo stood there anxiously, making call after call. Seeing that I wanted to go down, he quickly stopped me. "Ms. Santoro, I've already made the call. An ambulance and the Soldati are on their way. Don't be reckless." Despite what he said, I shook off his hand and charged down. The slope was steep and slippery, and I fell several times before reaching Carlo. He was riddled with bullets, his body mangled as he lay on the ground. He was barely alive. This scene almost overlapped perfectly with the one from three years ago when I saw Lucaro. Trembling, I grabbed Carlo's hand, calling out over and over, "Caro…" I begged him softly not to leave me. I was afraid he'd fall asleep forever, just like Lucaro did. I started shaking Carlo. During this, he regained consciousness. He slowly opened his eyes and, upon seeing me in such a state of despair, couldn't help widening them in shock. Suddenly, it started to rain. I quickly dragged Carlo up and began pulling him up the mountain. Along the way, I kept stumbling and falling. Every time I fell, I used my own body to cushion him. As a result, stones scraped my hands and legs until they were bloody. As I trudged on, I kept saying, "Caro, don't fall asleep. I'm saving you. I'm taking you home." Carlo just stared at me with his mouth agape, unsure of what to say. At the top of the slope, an ambulance was already waiting. Mia Bianchi, the woman who had been in Carlo's passenger seat, had also been thrown from the car. She was being loaded onto the ambulance. Just as Carlo was being loaded in, the medic saw my injuries and hesitated, saying, "The ambulance has limited space. We can only take two patients." The medic looked at my wounds and said, "This young lady's injuries also need treatment." As everyone hesitated, Carlo spoke from inside the vehicle. "She can wait. We'll go first." Then, he said to me, "Wendy, your wounds don't look as severe as Mia's. Let Mia get treated first." I said nothing. I merely stood by the roadside, watching the ambulance take Carlo and Mia away. The onlookers gradually dispersed after that. Enzo stayed by my side, glancing at my wounds several times. He didn't know what to say. A cold wind blew, and I shivered. "Can you take me back first? In this state, I'd probably just get in the way at the hospital." Enzo quickly nodded. I stood and walked to the car. The woman reflected in the window was far from elegant—her clothes were torn, and her body was covered in blood. Enzo found me a shawl. As he draped it over me, he said, "Ms. Santoro, don't worry. Don Altieri has been taken to the best hospital. He'll be fine." I hummed in acknowledgment before getting into the car. On the way home, Enzo tried to make conversation. "Ms. Santoro, you're truly amazing. You risked your life to save Don Altieri. He'll be very touched and will definitely treat you even better in the future." I only smiled when I heard this. It was useless, for the one who was truly "Caro" to me died long ago. My eyes stung, and a tear slid from the corner of my eye. Enzo dropped me off at the manor and went to the hospital to see Carlo. Just as I entered the living room, a maid informed me, "Ms. Santoro, Madre Altieri is here." Carlo's parents were here? In the three years I'd been with Carlo, his parents had never accepted me as his girlfriend. In fact, they often criticized me. But now, seeing me, Marta Basile quickly stood and pulled me to sit beside her. She gently asked, "How could Carlo let you come back in such a wounded state?" She turned to a maid and instructed, "Quick, call the family doctor to dress Wen's wounds." Marta turned back to me and patted my hand, saying solemnly, "Wen, don't worry. I've heard about what happened today. You carried my son up the slope and ignored your own injuries. "I admit that we were biased against you before. But you have my word—from now on, we will only recognize you as our daughter-in-law. Once Carlo is discharged, I'll have the wedding preparations started." I didn't want to marry Carlo. But when I looked up, I saw Lucaro's spirit standing by the window. It seemed noticeably fainter than before. I recalled what Father Piero had told me. "When Lucaro's spirit begins to fade, it means that he isn't far from ascending to heaven." Was Lucaro finally about to go to heaven? Thinking of this, I felt no joy at all—only a twisting pain in my chest. I swallowed all my emotions and looked at Marta, nodding. "Okay." Chapter 8 Carlo's injuries weren't severe, and he was discharged from the hospital in just a few days. Our wedding date was officially set for ten days later. That day would be when Lucaro's spirit would fade, the day he would ascend to heaven. It was also the day I would truly say goodbye to this world and everyone in it. Carlo intimately wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear, "Wen, a few of my friends are coming over later. Make sure the housekeepers know about their dietary restrictions." Carlo disliked the smell of hospital disinfectant. Once his injuries were treated, he came home to recuperate, and I naturally began taking care of him. I couldn't help but say, "The doctor said it's best for you to rest right now." Hearing this, Carlos didn't get annoyed. He just chuckled softly. "What, are you starting to boss me around already?" I quickly shook my head, wanting to explain, when Enzo stepped forward and handed Carlo his phone. Carlo glanced at the caller ID, picked up the call, and walked away while speaking. "Mia, how's your recovery going? Have you been listening to the doctor? "Marriage? That's a long story. I'll explain it to you slowly." I could only catch a few scattered words of what Carlo said next. Well, they weren't important to me anyway. After giving instructions to the housekeepers, I noticed that it was still early and decided to take a walk in the garden. I only returned home when it was almost time for the gathering. When I reached the manor gate, I saw several sports cars parked at the entrance. A few people had gathered there, chattering excitedly. "What? Don Altieri is really going to marry Wendy? He's truly going to love only Wendy from now on?" "Of course. The wedding invitations have been sent. The story of Wendy risking her life to save Don Altieri is everywhere. If he backs out now, it would make him look bad." "But isn't Mia pregnant? How could Wendy accept her newlywed husband bringing an illegitimate child into their home?" At this point, Enzo came forward and coldly warned, "Don Altieri has already said that Mia's pregnancy must absolutely not be known to Ms. Santoro. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences." The group quickly fell silent. I stood waiting around the corner. Only after everyone had gone inside did I walk out calmly. Mia was pregnant? Did Carlo not want me to know because he was afraid I'd be angry? Or was he worried I'd hurt Mia? I didn't know, and I didn't want to think about it. After all, in ten days, none of this would have anything to do with me. I looked up to find Lucaro standing in front of me. His spirit was almost transparent in the setting sun, and his expression held deep disappointment and indignation on my behalf. I felt as though someone had squeezed my heart. Lucaro was disappointed that my love for Carlo had made me abandon all my principles, and he resented me for the needless suffering I'd brought upon myself because of it. But no matter what Lucaro thought of me now—whether he doubted my sincerity or felt hopeless about me—I would still send him safely to heaven. My steps didn't falter as I walked right through his spirit. In that moment, a sudden, bone-chilling cold made me shiver. In the living room, Carlo and his friends were playing pool. Seeing me return, he put down his cue stick and walked up to me. "Why did it take so long? Was someone causing you trouble?" he asked. I smiled gently. "It's fine." The people on the couch stood to greet me. "Ms. Santoro is so considerate. We're all jealous of Don Altieri." "Exactly." I listened to their teasing with a faint smile, my expression still calm. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Carlo went to answer it. When the door opened, and everyone saw who had arrived, they fell silent. It was Mia. Her face was pale, and tears glimmered in her eyes. She pointed at me and looked at Carlo, demanding, "Carlo, you have to choose between our baby and her." Carlo didn't answer immediately, but I could see his gaze lingering on Mia's stomach. The longer he stayed silent, the more panicked I felt. After a long moment, he looked at me and reached out to take my hand. I grabbed his hand in return and said firmly, "Carlo, our wedding cannot be canceled." Lucaro couldn't wait any longer. I had to get married! Chapter 9 I had always been well-behaved and had never spoken to Carlo like this before. My unusual behavior left everyone there stunned. Carlo stared at me for a long time before a slow, mocking smile appeared on his lips. "Wendy, the wedding hasn't even happened yet. Do you already think of yourself as Donna, acting like that in front of me?" His words instantly drained the color from my face. I had been too hasty. My anxiety grew as I saw Lucaro's spirit growing more transparent. I was so afraid of making a mistake that I lost my composure in front of Carlo. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before saying, "Carlo, I didn't mean to pressure you. I just—" Before I could finish speaking, Mia burst into tears. "Forget it, Carlo. I'll leave with the baby. May you and Ms. Santoro have a good life." Carlo reached out and grabbed her arm, then turned to look at me. "Stay. You don't have to leave." Carlo's words were blunt—he was telling me to leave. I nodded, forcing down the suffocating feeling in my chest. "Have fun. I'll go." With that, I turned and walked out. After leaving the manor, I went to a coffee shop. Unexpectedly, I ran into Nico Romano, an old friend of Lucaro's. When he recognized me, his expression darkened. He was clearly furious with me. "Wendy, you're living a comfortable life now, huh? All these years, I never blamed you for Lucaro's death, yet you still dare to show up in front of me?" I looked down at the coffee in front of me and smiled. "So? I have a new lover now, and I've started a new life. Nico, people have to look forward. One can't live in the past forever." Nico was so angry that he raised his hand as if to hit me. "Wendy! If Lucaro hadn't loved you so deeply and made us protect you, I really would beat you to death!" I glanced to the side, where I saw Lucaro's spirit had grown even fainter. I downed the coffee in front of me. Amid the bitterness, I heard Lucaro say, "Wendy, I've never regretted loving you. "But maybe, like you said… I should also let go of our past." A sharp pain stabbed my heart, making it hard to breathe. Was Lucaro leaving me? I walked out of the coffee shop and let my tears flow freely. My plan was now down to the final step. … I single-handedly arranged the wedding ceremony, not caring about what Carlo truly thought of me. I just wanted to act out this final scene and successfully send Lucaro to heaven. On the wedding day, I arrived at the venue early to wait for Carlo. But after six hours, Carlo still hadn't shown up. The guests murmured among themselves. Overcome with guilt, Marta could only ask helplessly, "Wendy, should we postpone it?" I shook my head. "I've wanted to marry Carlo for a long time. I can't wait any longer." Lucaro's departure couldn't be delayed any further. Marta sighed and told a Soldato to hurry Carlo along. I stood in place and saw Lucaro's spirit walk to my side under the crystal chandelier. He was growing more transparent, but the look in his eyes also grew calmer. I gritted my teeth and forced back the ache rising in my throat. … Elsewhere, Carlo sat in the manor, staring at the phone in front of him as it rang again and again. Enzo couldn't help but say, "Don Altieri, perhaps we should go. Or at least, answer the call." Carlo tossed the phone aside. "She embarrassed me a few days ago. If I don't teach her a lesson now, what if she gives me attitude later?" Enzo sighed. "Don Altieri, if you lose Ms. Santoro, you'll never find someone who loves you that wholeheartedly again." Carlo's expression stiffened, then he said with certainty, "Wendy won't leave me." … Night fell, and Carlo still hadn't come. I saw Father Piero walking toward me slowly. He whispered to me, "It's time." My heart lurched in my chest. I looked back and saw that Lucaro's spirit had reached its limit of transparency. Now, all I had to do was follow the plan and sacrifice my life here, making him believe that I died for love. Then, his obsession with me would vanish. Thinking this, I let out a relieved smile and picked up my phone to send Carlo one last message. "Carlo, I won't love you anymore." After that, while holding up the hem of my dress, I walked to the top floor of the wedding chapel. Below me was a cliff. I was afraid of heights, and the sight before me made me feel somewhat frightened. But as a gust of wind blew past, Lucaro's voice drifted to my ears. "Wendy, are you willing to give up even your life for him?" I instinctively turned my head around and saw Lucaro's spirit slowly dissipating in the distance. He was so puzzled by his own transformation that he was completely unaware of my gaze. Perfect. I could finally send Lucaro to heaven. I closed my eyes, clutched the cross around my neck tightly, and jumped.