The Scarred Queen

As the Don of Italy's most powerful mafia family, my father adopted two orphaned brothers to serve as bodyguards for my sister and me. The older one—tall, broad-shouldered, and watchful—fell for my sister the moment he saw her. That left me with his "autistic" younger brother. I didn't have the heart to send Edward back to the orphanage, where he'd surely be bullied, so I kept him. He never spoke, so I took him to the best psychiatrists money could buy. I spent two hours every day telling him jokes, even though he never once cracked a smile. He couldn't protect me, so I taught myself martial arts—and begged my father not to cast him out. I thought he was just deeply traumatized. That with enough patience, he'd come around. Then the cruise ship went down. He tore the last life jacket straight off my body. The first words he ever said to me: "Sorry, but Bianca's life jacket is defective." Bianca—my sister. He watched me slip beneath the waves, gripping my hand one last time: "I failed you in this life. I'll make it up to you in the next." Turns out his silence was never autism. Just an act—one he only kept up around me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we chose our bodyguards. This time? I skipped the bodyguard farce entirely. Decided to live my own life. But now it seems I've caught the eye of someone far more dangerous... Chapter 1 Serena's POV As the Don of Italy's most powerful mafia family, my father adopted two orphaned brothers to serve as bodyguards for my sister and me. The older one—tall, broad-shouldered, and watchful—fell for my sister the moment he saw her. That left me with his "autistic" younger brother. I didn't have the heart to send Edward back to the orphanage, where he'd surely be bullied, so I kept him. He never spoke, so I took him to the best psychiatrists money could buy. I spent two hours every day telling him jokes, even though he never once cracked a smile. He couldn't protect me, so I taught myself martial arts—and begged my father not to cast him out. I thought he was just deeply traumatized. That with enough patience, he'd come around. Then the cruise ship went down. He tore the last life jacket straight off my body. The first words he ever said to me: "Sorry, but Bianca's life jacket is defective." Bianca—my sister. He watched me slip beneath the waves, gripping my hand one last time: "I failed you in this life. I'll make it up to you in the next." Turns out his silence was never autism. Just an act—one he only kept up around me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day we chose our bodyguards. I froze in my father's office, staring at the two brothers. Bianca glanced at me and bit her lip. "Actually, I'll take Edward. Serena should have Donald. She needs the stronger protector." She stepped away from Donald's hulking frame toward his younger brother. Donald's face fell instantly. I stayed frozen, processing this twisted déjà vu. Last time around, I'd fallen hard for Bianca's Oscar-worthy performance. When she'd offered to switch bodyguards, I actually thought she was being selfless—trying to give me the "better" option. Right until our yacht sank. Bianca had wept prettily as they strapped my life vest onto her—never mind that Donald was a certified lifeguard, or that there was a damn lifebuoy floating right beside her. Classic Bianca. All performative resistance, zero actual sacrifice. But this time, I shrugged. "Fine by me." Bianca paled. She'd been so sure I'd say no. Edward stared at me too, his eyes filled with confusion and shock. "Absolutely not!" Dad cut in. "You're the Ferrari heiress. Your safety is what matters most. This boy has severe autism—he can barely function, let alone protect you." I smiled. So he'd known about Edward's condition all along. But he'd still brought the younger brother here for us to "choose" from. This whole selection process was just for show. "But maybe—" Bianca quietly exhaled in relief, dabbing at her eyes as she started to speak, but Edward interrupted: "I can talk." My head jerked up in shock. Edward—the guy who hadn't said a word to me in seven years—was actually talking now? When our eyes met, I saw that calculating look—too mature for his age—and I finally knew for certain: he'd been reborn too. So much for his dying promise to "make it right." Even with a second chance, he was still trying to ditch me, huh? Little did he know—I'd already written him out of my story. "My combat skills can be tested," Edward continued smoothly. Oh, I bet he could. After I died, my spirit had watched him fight off sharks with nothing but a broken spear, keeping Bianca alive until rescue arrived. How pathetic that I'd spent my past life learning martial arts, terrified Dad would send this "helpless" little bodyguard back to the orphanage. Sure enough, once Edward stopped pretending, it took him exactly three moves to put our nationally-ranked trainer flat on his ass. Dad's resolve began to crumble. The disappointed expression on Bianca's face completely vanished. Between the brothers, Edward had always been the more handsome one. If not for the autism, Bianca would've chosen him from the start. "Fine then. Edward will serve you, and Donald, I'm entrusting you with Serena." Hearing that, Donald shot me a look, his gaze lingering on the scar across my cheek with obvious disgust. Then he dropped to his knees. "Sir, I'd rather return to foster care!" Chapter 2 Serena's POV Dad's brow furrowed. "You'd rather go back to eating scraps than take fifty grand a month?" Donald didn't bother hiding his disgust at my scarred face. "I'm not qualified to protect Miss Ferrari, sir." I sighed. Ever since I got these scars at ten trying to save Bianca, this face had been nothing but a source of revulsion for everyone. Maybe that's why Edward treated me like garbage in our past life too. "Donald! You can't abandon my sister!" Bianca frantically grabbed his arm, trying to pull him to his feet. Donald looked at her with pure adoration: "I didn't come here for her." I remained silent. Bianca's momentary triumph vanished behind a practiced pout. "No! This is outrageous! I won't allow you to go back there!" "Easy fix," I cut in. "Bianca can just keep both brothers. Problem solved." Bianca's cheeks flushed. "What are you even saying?" Both Cross brothers were gorgeous, and I knew Bianca's eyes had been glued to them since they walked through the door. Dad looked thoughtful. "You really don't want either of them?" "Nah, I'm not into either of those guys." Both brothers stared at me, probably wondering what gave me the right to be so picky. Edward's expression was more complex—like there was something deeper than just confusion. Whatever. Not my problem anymore. "Can you even guarantee your own safety?" "Probably can't." I shrugged. Dad blinked in surprise. "So just ship me off to my brother Stephen. He's got a whole security team." In my past life, I'd poured every ounce of my being into Edward. The family business? An afterthought. Bianca and I weren't treated the same way at all. Sure, Dad always said he loved us equally, but when it came to trust funds? Those were all reserved for Bianca and my older brother Stephen. Stephen was out there building his empire, making the family trust grow by millions every year. Bianca's annual dividends alone could set up ten families for life. Meanwhile, I had to practically beg Dad for money to cover Edward's medical bills. If I wanted any real power in this family, I'd have to earn it myself. Stephen hadn't even met me once and just had his assistant throw me some meaningless position and forgot I existed. Fine by me. I wasn't here for his approval anyway. Throwing myself into work, I shocked even myself with how good I was at this shit. After I landed that impossible Castellano account, Stephen finally agreed to see me. He threw me a belated welcome dinner and actually started giving me real projects. The company was hitting some major roadblocks, and even if he preferred Bianca, he had no choice but to acknowledge me now. Gradually, my reputation in the business world started growing faster than Bianca's Instagram following. Then one day, she stopped me at home. "Serena, darling, don't you think you're being... excessive? You're everywhere these days—making headlines, doing interviews. I'm not trying to be mean, but this sudden success feels more like luck than skill. If you screw things up later, it'll lose the whole family's face. Plus, with your scars and all this attention-seeking, no man's ever gonna want you." Then she glanced meaningfully toward Edward. "Why don't you stop bothering Stephen? I'll mentor you instead." I cut straight to the point. "You're just scared I'm stealing your spotlight, aren't you?" Chapter 3 Serena's POV Bianca froze. "Bianca, what gives you the right to tell me to stay in my place? The family's pampered princess, the trust fund shareholder?" "You're the one always sitting pretty on unearned privilege. Who are you to lecture me about not fighting for what's mine?" "You—!" Her eyes reddened instantly. "Serena, I—" Her eyes filled with crocodile tears on cue. But I wasn't done. "And since you brought up my scar, let's talk about how I got it. Do you remember what you did to me when we were ten?" "I was trying to help you stop that attacker, and if you hadn't pushed me, how would I have ended up crashing right into him? How would my face have gotten ruined?" "That's not—I never meant—" she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks like she was the victim here. "Save the waterworks. You got what you wanted—the pretty face, the money, the perfect life. Just be good and continue to be Daddy's little princess." I turned to leave, but she started sobbing, her voice breaking:" It wasn't like that, Serena... I was just worried about you... How can you think so little of me?" Each tear hit the marble floor like she was performing for the Met Opera. "That's enough!" Donald, who had been following behind Bianca the whole time, immediately pulled her into his arms. "You've crossed a line, Serena!" Bianca clutched his shirt, shaking her head weakly. "No, it's okay... I'm fine... really, I'm fine..." Her shoulders trembled. Edward's eyes flickered with something like pity, then he looked at me in cold. "You really did go too far. Apologize." "Excuse me?" "You heard me. Apologize to Bianca." SMACK! My palm struck his face before anyone could react. Bianca gasped, immediately stepping between us. "Serena! How could you hit him?" I flexed my fingers, satisfaction warming my chest. "Maybe you should train your dogs better, Bianca. They seem confused about who's the owner and who's the pet." "You—" Donald started forward, but I was already walking away. I was planning to pack my shit and move out that night—get as far away from Bianca and her devoted puppies as possible. But at six AM, someone started pounding on my bedroom door like the house was on fire. Donald didn't wait for permission—the second I cracked the door, he grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise. "Bianca's been kidnapped. You're coming with me. NOW." Chapter 4 Serena's POV Thankfully, all those self-defense classes paid off. I twisted out of Donald's grip and shoved him back. "Get your fucking hands off me!" "And what the hell does Bianca getting kidnapped have to do with me?" "You have some nerve asking that!" Donald's eyes were bloodshot—clearly he hadn't slept all night. "If you hadn't said all that cruel shit last night, Bianca never would've run out crying and gotten snatched by our enemies!" "This whole shit show is all because of you! You're gonna help us switch her back right fucking now!" The front door slammed open. Edward appeared, his face ghost-white. He looked up at us on the stairs. "Is Bianca back yet?" Donald grabbed my arm and yanked it up. "No, but the kidnappers said they'd make a trade—one for one." "Since Serena's the reason Bianca got taken in the first place, it's time for her to make things right." "Let go of me!" I slapped Donald hard across the face. "You're just a bodyguard—how dare you put your hands on me!" A red handprint bloomed on Donald's cheek, but his eyes showed zero regret. "Sorry, Miss Ferrari, but this isn't your call anymore." "For Bianca's sake, we'll risk everything—even going against you." He grabbed my arm and turned to his brother. "Edward! Get over here and help!" My limited combat skills might hold up against Donald for a few rounds. But Edward? No way in hell. SLAM! I hit the floor hard. Edward's boot appeared in my line of vision. I struggled against Donald's grip, but the outcome now depended entirely on Edward. I looked up at him, desperation creeping into my voice. "Edward, please... help me! I'm begging you!" He swallowed hard and closed his eyes. "Sorry about that." THUD! Both brothers pinned me to the ground. *** On the way to meet the kidnappers, Edward rode with me in the back seat, keeping watch. "You're reborn too." He broke the silence first. I shot him an icy look. "And yet you're still treating me like absolute garbage." He paused. Then said quietly: "I'm really sorry." SMACK! My palm cracked across his cheek. "Those bullshit words are the last thing I need from you—not in our last life, and sure as hell not in this one." His face turned slightly to the side. Dark hair fell across his eyes, hiding his expression. I heard him say in a low voice: "I promise this is the last time." His hand covered mine, gripping it tight: "Just let me get her out safe, okay? One last thing—for old times' sake. After that, I'll do whatever it takes to come back for you." I couldn't help but laugh. What a load of crap. He grabbed my hand tighter. "This is temporary, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you." The swap went down in some empty field outside town. Bianca and I walked past each other without a word. Suddenly she broke into a run: "Edward! Donald!" I whipped around. Edward was the first to reach her, catching her in his arms. Donald worked quickly to cut her restraints. Edward held her so tight his hands were shaking. I could read his lips: "I'm sorry... I failed to protect you..." Something twisted in my chest—some emotion I couldn't name. Even though I'd prepared myself not to matter to anyone. In the next second, a hand dragged me over, snapping me out of my thoughts. I tried to say something, but they'd already gagged me. Chapter 5 Serena's POV I'd been rotting in this hellhole for three days. My skin was covered in welts—there wasn't an inch left that hadn't been torn up by their whip. The head kidnapper roared in furious: "Aren't you a fucking Ferrari?! Where's the goddamn ransom money? Three days and not a single cent! Are you even really their heiress?" I let out a bitter laugh. The Ferrari family only had one real heiress. And it sure as hell wasn't me. "Last chance." The guy walked over with a syringe: "This stuff's gonna make everything hurt like hell. Call your family, and if they agree to wire the cash right now, I'll let you go. If not... well, let's just say we'll be sending your fingers home one by one." "What? No, please don't—AHHH!" The liquid burned as it hit my bloodstream. My heart started racing. "Make the call!" They shoved the phone into my hands. I scrolled through my contacts. I tried Dad first. Voicemail. Then Stephen. Nothing. Bianca wasn't picking up either. Edward... "Hello?" "Edward!" I heard his voice like finding a lifeline: "You need to bring money—now! They injected me with something, and they're gonna cut off my fingers!" The music on his end was deafening—like he was at some club. I was confused. "What... where are you?" "Serena, it's Bianca's birthday party. Can't ruin it for her." My eyes widened. "What the fuck does that mean?" "Just hang tight. After the party's over, I'll come get you." "But if you don't come now, they're gonna—" "Serena, it's just one night. Don't be dramatic, okay?" The kidnapper snorted, clearly not impressed. My voice cracked: "But you promised you wouldn't let anything happen to me." Silence on the other end. Then: "Be patient, Serena. Just a little longer." The line went dead. "Hello? HELLO! Edward!" I tried calling back. But the phone powered off. The kidnapper clicked his tongue: "You sure you're actually a Ferrari? Fuck, what a waste of time!" I wiped away my tears and slowly straightened up. The grief faded, replaced by something ice-cold. "Cut the act. Untie me." The guys who'd been acting all tough immediately straightened up and started cutting my ropes. "Sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Ferrari." I tossed the ropes aside and turned to leave. "Burn it down." Standing on the dock, I glanced back at the flames lighting up the sky. I wiped off the fake whip marks from my skin. A man on the boat reached out his hand to help me up. His face was hidden in shadow, but I could see a scar running down his cheek. I watched the flames and bid farewell to my former self. From this moment on, there was no more Serena Ferrari. From now on, I would become my own queen.