Chapter 4

Dante once said that Willow was like a pristine jasmine in the mountains, different from people like us who live by the blade.

As the Volkov family's accountant, I knew too many things that couldn't be discussed openly.

Constantly by Dante's side, dangers were countless, and injuries were commonplace.

I shielded Dante from blades, and gradually, I shielded Willow from blades too. My scars healed, only to be replaced by new ones.

The longest scar stretched from my waist to my shoulder. Dante was finally moved by me and promised to get engaged.

"As a Sicilian crime boss, I am absolutely loyal to my family and my woman. Willow isn't a threat to you. Why are you being so dramatic?"

"Dante, do we even *have* a family?"

He frowned in annoyance. "Sera, isn't our engagement party next month? What are you playing at?"

He seemed to have forgotten that the prerequisite for our engagement was him going straight and moving to the US with me.

"Me playing? Dante, you must have forgotten..."

The phone rang abruptly, a sweet female voice coming from the receiver.

"Big Brother Dante, I can't sleep."

Dante slowly lifted his eyes to look at me, then gently coaxed her.

I scoffed and got out of bed.

But he hung up the phone and grabbed my arm. "Where are you going?"

I shook his hand off. "Can you even keep track?"

His face darkened further, his cold eyes sweeping over me. "Don't forget the family gathering tomorrow night."

The sprawling Volkov family's annual gathering. In previous years, I had always been by his side.

Unwilling to stay with him, I turned and went into the guest room, locking the door.

At the greedy, power-hungry event, Dante was an hour late.

Leaving me alone to face the predatory Volkov family elders.

After following Dante for ten years, no matter how outstanding my abilities, I was never truly accepted by them.

Instead, because I held so many of Volkov Enterprises' secret ledgers, I was viewed with deep suspicion.

Under the spotlight, Dante held Willow's hand. Her white dress was blindingly bright.

Among a sea of somber black, Willow was the only clear, bright jasmine.

Looking at my own dull black evening gown, I remembered Dante's words.

"Sera, don't wear white anymore."

Only later did I understand: white made blood visible, and only black, which disguised wounds, would make him feel safe letting me shield him from blades.

Willow saw me, first freezing slightly, then nervously hiding behind Dante.

"Sister Sera, please don't misunderstand. Big Brother Dante just felt sorry that I haven't seen much of the world, so he brought me. I didn't mean to be an eyesore."

I couldn't help but scoff softly. "If you know you're an eyesore, then stay out of my sight."

Willow immediately cowered behind Dante, tears welling in her eyes. "Big Brother Dante, I knew Sister Sera would mind. Maybe I should just leave?"

She said she would leave, but her legs made no move.

Dante gave me a cold glance, his brows furrowed with impatience. "My family is not yours to control."

He sat down with Willow in front of all the elders, completely disregarding my situation.

Numerous suspicious and malicious gazes turned to me. My heart grew cold, and I stood up with my bag to leave.

As I passed Willow, she suddenly "slipped," and a cup of scalding hot water crashed to the floor. In an instant, shards of glass mixed with hot water splashed onto my ankle.

Willow frantically crouched down, anxiously reaching out to touch my ankle. "Sister Sera, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to."

Sharp pain shot through me. "Get lost."

I lifted my foot, intending to walk away, but before I could even touch her, she shrieked and fell to the floor.

Dante immediately grabbed my wrist, his voice burning with anger. "Sera! Haven't you caused enough trouble?!"

Trouble?

I looked at him, deeply disappointed. This act was so clumsy; I couldn't believe he, who constantly navigated the murky waters of both legal and illegal worlds, couldn't see through it.

"Apologize or kneel, choose one."

I was incredulous. I forcefully yanked my arm away. "What if I choose neither?"

Before Dante could speak, an elder behind him immediately chimed in, "Sera, you've been with Dante for so many years, don't you understand the rules? When you're wrong, you apologize."

"Are we supposed to beg you?"

I looked at Dante, foolishly still hoping he would say a few words in my defense.

I had been with him for ten years, risked my life dozens of times, yet I couldn't earn a single good word from him within his family.

Willow had only been here for a year, and with a few drops of her tears, I was being criticized and insulted by everyone.

Why?