Chapter 5

When I got back, Valentina was still ranting.

I couldn't help but admire her fierce spirit.

After that day, Valentina must've sensed the danger and laid low for a while.

The next time I saw her was at a family gathering, right after she found out she was pregnant.

Even though her belly was still flat, she kept touching it, like she was dying for everyone to notice she'd finally managed to give the Monti family an heir.

When Valentina saw me, she didn't even bother to fake it. She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck.

She scoffed, "Oh, look at you, working your ass off out there. So what? You'll never know the real joy of being a woman. How sad is that? Having a husband and a child by your side, that's the true happy ending for us women!"

We both grew up under the same roof, raised by the same dad. I wondered where she learned that a woman's worth has to be tied to a man?

It was nearly a hundred degrees outside, and even with the AC blasting, the room still felt stuffy.

But Valentina was bundled up in long sleeves, covering herself from head to toe. The little bit of skin showing on her wrist was marked with bruises.

Everyone in our circle knew what was really going on in their family.

Ever since Dante pulled out of the deal at the wedding, Henry had kept Marcus grounded in the basement for a whole month, calling him a bastard and a disgrace to the family.

Marcus took all his anger out on Valentina, and every night, her stifled screams echoed from their room.

I knew exactly what was going on. Propping my chin up with a smirk, I said, "Valentina, it's scorching outside. Why are you bundled up like this?"

Valentina's smile froze on her face, and she instinctively covered her wrist, trying to hide the marks.

She shot back, "I get cold easily now that I'm pregnant, alright? Mind your own business.

"Instead of fussing over me, maybe you should worry about finding yourself a man. You're not getting any younger, you know. It's honestly pathetic!"

I couldn't believe Valentina was calling me old at twenty-five.

If that was her standard, then Dante, who was four years my senior, should have been mortified.

I caught myself wondering why I was even thinking about him.

My fork hung in the air as if I had forgotten how to eat.

Thinking back, Dante and I had been seeing each other way too much lately. Even with Isabella always tagging along, it still felt excessive.

It struck me as odd that a big-shot mafia boss like him should be busy running his empire rather than spending so much time with us.

Even if I had been clueless, I couldn't ignore the obvious any longer.

My face turned bright red, all the way to my neck.

My mom, always sharp, immediately started probing, "Kiara, do you have a crush on some guy?"

Normally, I was quick with a comeback, but this time I was totally tongue-tied. I stammered for what felt like forever, "I-I don't! Really!"

In the end, I fled, completely panicked.

When I got to the bathroom, I kept splashing cold water on my face, trying to cool off.

My mind was racing when suddenly, a pair of hands clamped down on my waist from behind.

I spun around in shock, only to come face-to-face with Marcus and his repulsive face. He breathed booze right in my face.

Marcus said, "Hey, sweetheart. Valentina's not available right now, so I figured you, as her little sister, should pick up the slack for her. You know, fulfill a wife's duties.

"You're a smart girl, Kiara. Just think about it. If you make me happy, the Monti family could bring a lot of benefits to the Reed family."

His greasy face got way too close, and I could practically taste his overpowering cologne. I didn't scream. I shot him a cold glare and spat out, "Get lost!"

Before he could even blink, I slammed my knee right into his crotch.

By the time my parents barged in, they saw me beating the crap out of Marcus.

The trauma from being beaten by Marcus in my previous life still haunted me.

So the first thing I did this lifetime was learn boxing. I might not have been able to take on two guys at once, but dealing with a loser who bullied women? That was a walk in the park for me.

Marcus was sprawled out on the floor, whining and begging for mercy. The more he begged, the harder I went at him.

I used to sob and beg him to let me go in my previous life. What did Marcus say back then?

He had sneered, "The more you cry, the more it turns me on."

I coldly wondered if he was still feeling excited now that he was the one suffering.

With all my old grudges and fresh rage mixed, I didn't stop until I'd really had my fill. Only then did I finally drag myself off Marcus, almost reluctant to let go.