Joseline

Night fell over the city of Calabria as usual. Cars moved through the streets, and the residents continued with their usual routines. Life followed a steady rhythm in a city whose surface was flat, but beneath which true secrets remained hidden, where organized crime operated without mercy, constantly seeking more territory to expand into.

The dishes clinked softly in the Monte family's dining room, where Amanda Monte sat with impeccable poise and elegance, her back straight, cutlery in hand, and expression impossible to decipher. Her long, straight silver hair cascaded down her back, perfectly brushed away from her face, revealing her sharp yet beautiful features. Her icy blue eyes swept across the table as she efficiently cut into a perfectly cooked lamb steak.

Armando Monte sat at the head of the table, his back straight and broad shoulders squared as he cut into his steak with the class and indifference of a monarch. His brown hair, streaked with gray, was combed back, revealing his sharp, angular features. He wore an immaculate, custom-made charcoal-gray Tom Ford suit, his green eyes focused on his plate.

Ivy broke the silence with an exaggerated sigh. Her light brown hair, styled in perfect waves, swayed behind her as a few strands fell across her beautiful face. She leaned back in her chair as though the world owed her something simply for being there, before exchanging a knowing glance with her mother and then looking at Joseline, who was sitting across from her.

"Antonio and I finally made it official yesterday. He proposed to me at that elegant, luxurious restaurant on the outskirts of the city, overlooking the sea... It was absolutely beautiful!"

Ivy spoke, her voice overflowing with the sweetness and charm she possessed, as she admired the expensive, dazzling engagement ring Antonio had bought her. A massive white diamond was set on her ring finger. She tilted her hand slightly so Joseline could see it, letting out a melodious little giggle, although her eyes gleamed with malicious triumph. She was practically gloating over having secured a wealthy man.

Amanda elegantly set her cutlery down on the table before offering a faint smile. She examined the jewel with pride and satisfaction, then nodded solemnly.

"As expected, darling. A woman as beautiful and radiant as you deserves nothing but the very best... Unlike others."

Amanda smiled faintly, leaving the implication hanging in the air, while Ivy shot Joseline a mocking, haughty glance, as though she had won everything. She took perverse pleasure in watching her sister squirm in her chair.

Joseline said nothing, although her jaw tightened slightly. Her green eyes remained fixed on her plate as she gripped her cutlery more tightly than necessary, cutting into the plain, flavorless steak she had been served. Unlike the other cuts of meat on the table, which were juicy and substantial, hers looked like a cheap, hastily prepared meal, made with such contempt that even preparing something simple for her had apparently been considered too much effort.

She kept her eyes fixed on her plate as she brought the food to her mouth, chewing quietly. Her long, silky light brown hair fell in natural waves down her back, with a few strands cascading over her face. Her movements were tense and forced in a place where everyone seemed determined to treat her with nothing but contempt.

"Aren't you going to congratulate me? I thought you were happy when I was happy... But you're nothing more than a bitter, envious woman."

Ivy spoke in that wounded tone she used whenever she wanted to inspire sympathy where none was warranted. She lowered her gaze to her plate in a carefully rehearsed gesture, as though she had been deeply hurt, then pouted, delivering a flawless performance of an innocent girl wounded by her cruel, jealous sister.

"Who do you think you are, Joseline? Your sister is sharing the best news of her life with you, and you just sit there doing nothing. You're nothing but an arrogant brat. I don't even know why we bother wasting our time with you."

Armando's sharp, dry voice cut through the silence, carrying the same tone of disapproval he always used toward Joseline, as though she were nothing more than an irrelevant detail in a conversation he had no interest in entertaining. Joseline swallowed nervously and lowered her gaze to her plate before clenching her jaw, unable to believe they were treating her with such cruelty. She took a deep breath.

"Congratulations, Ivy..."

Joseline spoke in a forced tone before frowning slightly, a habit she couldn't control. She continued cutting into the bland, tasteless steak she had been served, her slender, elegant hands holding the cutlery. Her green eyes remained fixed on the porcelain plate as she felt Ivy's malicious, triumphant gaze upon her, making her clench her jaw even tighter.

"Oh, don't waste your time with that insolent girl. She's never happy about her sister's achievements, and frankly, she should be irrelevant to us."

Amanda's voice retained the sharp edge she always adopted when speaking about Joseline. She elegantly dabbed her lips with a napkin, looking at her daughter as though she were nothing more than an enormous inconvenience, before turning her attention back to Ivy and completely ignoring Joseline.

Joseline felt that familiar, unpleasant tightness in her chest, the feeling that came whenever her family pushed her aside, as though she were a nuisance unworthy of even a glance, let alone their time. It was always the same with her family, and although she had grown accustomed to it, that didn't make it any easier. Ever since childhood, the difference in the way the two sisters were treated had been painfully obvious.

Amanda and Ivy continued discussing the wedding arrangements with great enthusiasm, completely ignoring her, while Armando checked his phone, apparently reading a message from Antonio's father. Joseline felt incredibly lonely at that enormous table. These were supposed to be the people who supported her, the people she could count on, yet they had never truly been there for her.

She thought about how she would now be forced to marry Don Luzzato, a man she had never met and whose name she barely knew. He was a sixty-year-old man with a terrible temper and a manifestly cruel nature. She knew almost nothing about him, and that unsettled her even more because she had no choice but to accept the marriage.

Weeks passed as preparations for both weddings continued. During that time, Joseline met the butler of the Luzzato family, a man entirely devoted to serving Don Luzzato. Henry Bellomo was in his mid-forties and had served the Luzzato family for two decades. He possessed the elegant, composed demeanor one would expect from a butler of his standing. He was exceptionally polite and refined, which made Joseline feel somewhat embarrassed in his presence.

On one occasion, he arrived at the Monte mansion carrying a collection of gifts Don Luzzato had sent to Joseline. Among them were incredibly expensive pieces of jewelry, carefully placed in high-end cases, along with designer clothing.

"Don Luzzato has sent you this collection of gifts, Miss Joseline."

Henry spoke with a calm yet elegant bearing as he handed Joseline the purchases and extravagant presents, displaying the efficiency of a man who had spent two decades serving a family with such a powerful name.

"My lord said that if you would like any alterations or have any particular requests before the wedding, you need only tell me, my lady."

Henry's voice carried a calm, measured cadence as his brown eyes observed Joseline. He was dressed in an immaculate butler's uniform. Joseline looked at the gifts with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment. She wasn't accustomed to being treated this way, and the experience was certainly new to her.

Just as she was about to respond, the unmistakable sound of high heels echoed elegantly across the floor. A moment later, Amanda entered through the front door. Her eyes swept over the collection of extravagant gifts before shifting to Joseline and then to Henry. Her brows furrowed slightly.

"So, Don Luzzato sent all these gifts to Joseline..."

Amanda spoke in her usual sharp tone, the same one she always used when addressing Joseline. She approached the box Henry was holding. Inside lay a beautiful necklace adorned with delicate pink diamonds, subtle yet unmistakably expensive. Amanda's jaw tightened slightly.

She extended one hand and carefully traced the edge of the necklace. Her long, well-manicured nail brushed against the precious jewel as she let out a faint laugh, straightening her back. Joseline watched her mother, her own jaw tightening.

"These gifts are far too extravagant for someone like you. You should give them to your sister, who deserves them much more. She will be the next Mrs. Luzzato."

Amanda's words cut through the air with the condescension she habitually displayed. She looked at Joseline with barely concealed contempt and indifference. Joseline shuddered slightly at her mother's words, unable to believe she would suggest something so outrageous when the gifts had been intended specifically for her. But Ivy had always been more important. It had always been Ivy.

Henry cleared his throat, interrupting the tension, before carefully returning the necklace to its proper place and closing the black velvet case. His expression remained composed but firm as he looked at Amanda.

"These gifts are exclusively for Miss Joseline. No one else is permitted to wear them."

The butler straightened slightly without waiting for Amanda's response. He gathered the gifts and other belongings before carrying them to Joseline's bedroom, giving Amanda no opportunity to act on whatever she had been planning. Joseline immediately followed him, while Amanda's complaints echoed behind them.

A week passed, and today was finally the day of both weddings.

Joseline found herself uncomfortably gathered with her family and Antonio, who stood nearby with his elegant bearing. He had platinum blond hair, pale skin, and intense blue eyes. At six feet three inches tall, he towered over most of the people present. He held a glass of wine in one hand and wore a white silk shirt with tailored trousers.

Ivy clung to his arm in an overly affectionate manner while whispering things into his ear. He laughed with a deep, resonant sound. Every now and then, they both glanced at Joseline while exchanging comments with a malice and disdain they barely bothered to conceal.

"Poor little sister of mine... I'll pray very hard for you, so your marriage goes well."

Ivy sang out in that falsely concerned, interested tone she used whenever she was preparing to make hurtful, disdainful remarks. She giggled softly, resting her head on Antonio's shoulder. She wore a beautiful, breathtaking white princess-style wedding dress. She looked stunning, which was the most irritating part of all.

Meanwhile, Joseline was also wearing a beautiful, pure-white wedding dress, although it wasn't nearly as extravagant as Ivy's because she disliked such things. Her dress was beautiful and simple, elegant in its own understated way, without needing to attract attention through ostentatious displays.

"Darling... You'd better say plenty of prayers. After all, she's going to marry a decrepit old man with a terrible temper."

Antonio spoke in that arrogant, disdainful tone as he chuckled softly. His blue eyes regarded Joseline with contempt and superiority, as though she were beneath him. His arm was wrapped possessively around Ivy's small waist. Meanwhile, Amanda and Armando stood beside them, laughing quite openly at the cruel jokes made by their daughter and future son-in-law.

Joseline said nothing, as usual, although she could feel her blood boiling with the familiar helplessness and hatred she had accumulated over the years. Her eyes remained fixed on the glass as she clenched her jaw. Her hair had been styled into an elegant, beautiful updo that accentuated her features. Then, the sound of several engines caught her attention.

Six matte black Rolls-Royce Cullinans pulled into the entrance of the venue where Ivy and Antonio were to be married.

The guests suddenly fell silent, staring at the vehicles with astonishment and caution. These were no ordinary luxury cars. They bore the unmistakable crest of the Luzzato family, displayed in elegant lettering. Antonio's expression faltered for a moment as he watched the procession.

"That crest... What is Don Luzzato doing here?"

He spoke with a slightly tense voice as he stared at the cars. Ivy turned toward them, her eyes widening at the sight of the elegant, luxurious vehicles. Her lips parted slightly, never expecting the supposed old man to show up. Amanda furrowed her brows, although she managed to keep most of her composure. She, too, appeared somewhat surprised by the impressive display, while Armando watched with a certain degree of suspicion.

Joseline turned around, her green eyes settling on the car. She swallowed nervously but tried to maintain an unreadable, composed expression. Her hands tightened slightly in her lap at the thought of her future husband, whom she was about to meet, without knowing what awaited her.

Henry stepped out of the car with the familiar elegance and bearing of a well-trained butler. His shoes clicked softly against the ground as he gracefully opened the door, revealing {{user}} inside: none other than Don Luzzato himself.