I was trembling with rage, but before I could speak, someone grabbed Julian by the collar, spun him around, and planted a fist squarely in his face.

It was Leo.

The man who usually acted like he didn't have a care in the world now had a dark, thunderous expression, his voice thick with suppressed fury.

"Get the fuck out of Russo territory now!"

Julian, his own temper flaring, spat out a mouthful of blood and was about to swing back.

But just then, Sienna, who had been wailing on the ground, suddenly went silent. She swayed and collapsed.

Panic instantly flooded Julian’s eyes. He scooped her up, shot a glare at me and Leo, and ran off.

I calmed myself down and motioned for Leo to come inside.

Instead, he walked straight to the kitchen and came back with an ice pack from the freezer.

I stared at him, stunned.

Leo clicked his tongue and pressed the ice pack firmly against my left cheek. "That bastard Moretti hits you, and you just stand there and take it? You're an idiot."

"This isn't over! Just you wait and see what I do to him…"

Seeing me wince from the cold, he finally let out a chuckle. His expression softened, but he still sighed as he looked at me.

Seeing that familiar, worried look on Leo’s face, memories I had never paid attention to during all those years I spent chasing Julian came rushing back.

When I was thirteen, he was the one who draped his jacket over my shoulders and threatened the other boys to stop laughing at me.

When I was eighteen, he was the one who swam out to me without a second thought, grabbing my hand tightly in the freezing ocean water.

In my past life, he was the one who climbed over the wall of the Moretti estate just to comfort me.

He was the one who hadn't slept for days after my death but still forced himself to arrange my funeral.

He was the one who searched everywhere for evidence to clear my father's name.

And he was the one who, every year on my birthday, would appear at my grave with a bouquet of white roses and talk to me for hours.

My eyes welled with tears. I looked at Leo, my voice full of earnestness.

"Thank you, Leo… Tomorrow, you have to be there."

The next morning, my father was already sitting in the living room, dressed in his most formal suit.

But when the main door opened, it was Mrs. Moretti who walked in.

She carried an elegant gift basket filled with fine cigars and two bottles of aged whiskey. Julian trailed behind her.

Mrs. Moretti smiled and came over to take my hand. "Aurora, dear, we heard about what happened the other day. This foolish boy of mine was completely out of line! His father gave him a harsh lesson last night!"

"Don't hold a grudge over a little disagreement, now. Think about the relationship between our two families, won't you?"

"When you marry into our family, I'll be sure to treat you like my own daughter!"

I glanced at Julian. Other than the bruise from Leo's punch yesterday, I couldn't see any other sign that he'd been "given a lesson."

I gave a faint, noncommittal smile and gently pulled my hand away.

Seeing Mrs. Moretti now only reminded me of her heartlessness in my past life.

Her smile faltered for a second, and she was about to speak to my father when a commotion erupted at the door.

A group of young men in black suits came in carrying one gift box after another, all of them beaming.

"Well, what a coincidence! A good girl is always in high demand. And a girl as wonderful as Aurora, our Falcone family wants her too!"

Leo’s parents, Mrs. Falcone and the man known throughout the underworld for his toughness, the 'Old Captain', emerged from behind the men, smiling warmly.

"Aurora, don't you worry! I know my son. I know for a fact his heart belongs only to you!" Mrs. Falcone said enthusiastically.

"Besides, Leo grew up with you too. You should give him some consideration!"

Leo, who was usually so carefree, stood obediently beside his parents, glancing nervously at me.

When he saw that I was just staring wide-eyed at all the gifts without saying a word, his smile drooped slightly, but he kept his shoulders straight.

Seeing Leo like this, Julian sneered, crossing his arms with a look of absolute confidence.

With everyone watching, I remained silent as I walked, step by step, toward Julian.

His smirk grew more contemptuous and dismissive with every step I took.

But when I stopped in front of him, a wide smile broke across my face.

"What makes you think I would ever choose you again?"