The Lot He Never Drew

The Rossi mafia family followed an ancestral rule. Before marriage, the heir received one chance each year to draw lots. Drawing a fortunate lot meant he could choose his own spouse and avoid an arranged marriage.

Dante Rossi drew an unfortunate lot for five consecutive years, and I, who had been dating him for seven years, never managed to marry him.

This year marked the sixth year. I overheard his conversation with Marco Valentino, the Underboss.

"Mr. Rossi, you drew a fortunate lot again."

Dante's voice carried an unprecedented coldness. "Same as always, switch it to an unfortunate lot."

Marco hesitated, then tried to persuade him. "Mr. Rossi, you've switched it for five years straight. Aren't you worried Celia will leave? Celia's the most beautiful woman in Nopales. Half the men in the city are chasing her."

Dante said with absolute certainty, "She won't. Celia loves me too much. She won't marry anyone else.

"Years ago, Livia's father died saving me. His dying wish was for me to stay by her side for five years. After this year ends, I'll give Celia a grand wedding as compensation."

My last shred of hope died after I heard those words.

Dante probably did not know that the Rossi family had one final ancestral rule. If the heir failed to draw a fortunate lot six times, he would lose the right to choose his own marriage.

Moreover, I would soon be marrying someone else.

Dante Rossi told me for the sixth time that he failed to draw a fortunate lot and could not marry me. He asked me to wait another year. I simply nodded calmly and said, "Okay."

The words of persuasion seemed to catch in his throat. He stared at me in surprise. "Cece, are you angry?"

He sighed and pulled me tightly into his arms. "You know how luck works. Maybe next year, I'll finally draw it!"

I buried my head against his chest as tears streamed down my face.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

If I had not overheard his conversation with Marco Valentino two hours ago, I would have foolishly believed that his failure to draw a fortunate lot for the past six years was truly just bad luck. However, I finally knew the truth.

All of it was deliberate. For Livia Greco's sake, he had deceived me for five whole years.

Five years ago, Dante brought Livia back to the estate and personally arranged the finest accommodation for her. He told me, "Livia's father died saving me. I have to repay him. His daughter, Livia, grew up in Scampia, a small village. I brought her back so that she could see the world."

At the time, I thought nothing of it. I only felt grateful Livia's father had saved Dante's life. Hence, I never imagined she would make such an outrageous request of him. Even more unthinkable was that Dante actually agreed to her absurd demand.

"What do you mean? I'm just having some bad luck. Next year,