Our Love Withered Before the Petals Fell

Everyone knows that Tania Giordano is the principessa of the Giordano family, whom they mustn't piss off at all costs.

Ever since she lost her mother at the tender age of six, she has grown into an independent, radiant, and bold woman on her own abroad.

She initially thought that she wouldn't rely on anyone else anymore. But when she was 20 years old, a certain man rescued her from the pistol aimed at her by her father's enemy.

Since then, Simone Lanzi has stayed by her side and protects her at all times. That's how Tania finds herself falling for him.

But one night, she witnesses him panting slightly while staring at a photo featuring Noemi Giordano, her half-sister…

The study in the Giordano residence was thick with smoke.

Tania Giordano pushed the door open.

Her father—the Don of the Giordano family, once a feared and respected figure—sat hunched over a pile of documents. The reports showed their cash flow had completely collapsed. He didn't even notice the cigar in his fingers had burned down to the nub.

"Papa, I'll accept the marriage to Don Garretti," Tania said calmly.

Rino Giordano snapped his head up. The worry on his face instantly flipped to joy. "Tania? You're here? You're really willing to marry that vegetable Don?"

Then, his expression shifted back to concern. "Tania, I owe you and Noemi an apology. But the Garretti family is huge and powerful. This engagement was settled long ago. There's no calling it off now."

Tania didn't answer. She walked over to the conference table and tapped it lightly with her fingers. "But if I am to marry that Don who might not even wake up in Noemi's place, I expect to be compensated."

Rino's smile faded. "What do you want? As long as we can still afford it—"

"Give me those Kashmir sapphires," Tania cut in. "And I'm not bringing Simone with me. He's staying here as Noemi's bodyguard."

Rino went pale and shook his head. "No way! Those sapphires are your mamma's legacy, worth tens of billions of dollars. They're our last trump card! And you care so much for Simone. How can you just give him to Noemi?"

"I want something I can cash out right away. I don't care about the famiglia's fate," Tania said with a sneer. "As for Simone, it doesn't matter who he protects. It's never been me anyway."

Her words stabbed deep. Rino opened his mouth but had no rebuttal. He knew he owed Tania too much.

Years ago, his mistress showed up claiming Noemi Giordano was his child. His wife fell into depression and died.

But he favored Noemi, leaving Tania to fend for herself abroad while promising Noemi to the Garretti family.

Later, the Don, Callen Garretti, was attacked and left in a vegetative state.

Rino hated the thought of sending Noemi into that family.

But in recent years, the Giordano rings were crushed by the police. Desperate for a partnership with the Garretti