A Donna Reborn: No Longer a Substitute

I'd never forget how cold the icy waters of the Sandford River were.

In my previous life, I was Dalia Valentino, the future Donna of the Rossi family that they'd already acknowledged. But later on, I got betrayed by my fiance, Marco Rossi, and my cousin, Alice Palermo.

They stole my betrothal contract away and took over my family's resources. In the end, they used me as a human shield and got me killed during a crossfire between our families.

The moment I felt a bullet penetrating my chest, I saw Marco protecting Alice.

As for my childhood friend, Riccardo Corleone, who had always watched me from behind, rushed over to me like a madman. He scooped my cooling corpse into his arms before letting out an anguished roar.

That was why after I got reborn, I didn't hesitate to kick Marco to the curb and marry Riccardo, resulting in me becoming the Donna of the Corleone family.

I thought Riccardo was my savior. Little did I know that fate was just playing a crueler prank on me.

Both men had always been in love with the same woman this whole time.

In this case, I decided to quit this game of romance and deceit.

In my past life, Marco Rossi, the Don of the Rossi family, swore before me that he'd protect me for the rest of my life. Yet he secretly married Alice Palermo.

I became the laughingstock of the entire Porthaven mafia circle.

In the end, during a bloody shootout between the two major mafia families, I was hit by a stray bullet, and my body was dumped into the Sandford River.

Given a second chance in life, I was sent back three months before that deadly clash.

I immediately tore up the marriage contract with Marco and threw myself into Riccardo Corleone's arms.

He was the youngest Don of the Corleone family and my childhood friend, who had always protected me.

In my past life, after I died, he risked his life to retrieve my remains and avenged me by slaughtering the rival forces that had betrayed me.

I thought that this time, I'd finally chosen the right man.

That was until the day I stood outside the study door at the family manor and overheard the conversation inside.

Riccardo's Underboss, Antonio Greco, asked in a lowered voice, "Don Corleone, why are you marrying Ms. Valentino when you don't even love her?"

Riccardo's icy cold voice came through the heavy wooden door.

"Marco was supposed to be her fiance, but now he's tangled up with Alice. I'm afraid Dalia might get in the way. I just want Alice to live happily ever after."

I froze in place, my fingernails digging deep into my palms. I felt as if my heart were pressed against a cold gun barrel, each heartbeat a searing pain.

It was Alice again.

In my past life, she took Marco from me.

In this one, I escaped from Marco, only to stumble headfirst