Chapter 1: A Marriage of Convenience

The De Luca estate glittered with opulence as guests celebrated the marriage of Marco De Luca to Elena. Lorenzo stood in the shadows, observing his brother's bride. She was radiant, her laughter soft yet commanding.

Marco had always been the golden child—charming, ambitious, and reckless. Lorenzo, on the other hand, had spent years cleaning up Marco's messes while running the family business.

When Lorenzo first met Elena, he dismissed her as another one of Marco's impulsive choices. But seeing her now, he felt an unfamiliar pang in his chest. She carried herself with grace, her kindness evident in the way she treated even the lowest-ranking servants.

"Do you approve?" Marco's voice broke through Lorenzo's thoughts.

Lorenzo smirked. "She's too good for you."

Marco laughed, oblivious to the weight behind Lorenzo's words.