Chapter 1

“Miss Sophia, as requested, a ‘body’ identical to you has been prepared. In ten days, it will appear right on time at your wedding to Don Liam.”

Sophia Ross’s nerves, wound tight for days, finally loosened—just a little.

“Good. Thank you.”

“Rest assured, this ‘body’ won’t raise any suspicion. We’ll make sure every detail is flawless.”

Only after hearing the confirmation did she draw in a breath of cold air, end the call, and turn to push open the heavy oak door of the private room.

The noise inside fell back like a tide.

Liam Costa, seated at the head, stood immediately and took her hand, asking with fluent sign language, concerned:

“Sophia, why were you gone so long? Are you feeling sick? We can go home right now.”

Seeing herself reflected so clearly in his eyes, Sophia forced down the sting in her chest and shook her head.

“I’m fine. Keep going.”

Only after checking again did Liam lead her back to her seat.

The room warmed up again.

A man in a black suit, tattoos crawling up his forearm, suddenly spoke:

“Don, wedding’s close. That little thing you keep in the west-side apartment—what’re you doing with her?”

Sophia’s nails bit deep into her palm.

Someone next to him elbowed him, voice low: “The donna’s still here.”

The man shrugged, careless. “So? She can’t hear. I’m just curious—how are you planning to settle your little kitty?”

Every gaze—amused, curious, knowing—landed on Liam.

“Keep her.”

Liam picked up a shrimp, peeled it carefully, set it on Sophia’s plate, and only then continued in a lazy, indifferent tone:

“Just something to kill time. The only one I’ve ever loved is Sophia.”

“But if Sophia finds out, she’ll be hurt. So this stays a secret. After the wedding too.”

His eyes swept each face slowly. “Watch your mouths. If she hears even a whisper, you’re testing my patience.”

Everyone here was either family core or tight allies. “Outwardly loyal, but secretly having countless lovers” was normal to them.

Instead of shock, a few understanding chuckles went around.

“Don’s got it rough—keeping a girl on the side and still having to hide it this hard. My wife pretends not to see.”

“You think everyone’s as shameless as you? Don’s not ‘messy.’ That’s devotion, got it?”

……

A bald man’s eyes lit up. He leaned in, voice low, grin filthy:

“Don, since the donna can’t hear… you ever tried it in the house… anywhere?”

He didn’t finish, leaving plenty to imagine.

Liam laughed under his breath, rolling the engagement ring on his finger, voice slow and lazy:

"Sure. This... is quite exciting."

The room exploded into hoots, whistles, and raised glasses.

“That’s our Don!”

“That house is huge—every corner’s a view!”

“Guess marriage won’t stop you from having fun.”

In the noise, no one noticed Sophia’s fingers clenched around her fork until her knuckles went white.

No one knew her hearing had already come back.

And no one knew she’d already decided to leave—she wasn’t marrying Liam at all.

On the wedding day, all Liam would get was a “corpse” that looked exactly like her.

Liam noticed she hadn’t touched the shrimp and immediately asked in sign language:

“Sophia, why aren’t you eating?”

Sophia looked at the man whose eyes were full of worry and forced a thin smile:

“What were you all talking about just now? You looked like you were having so much fun.”

Liam smiled, pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand:

“They were jealous of us. Saying we’ll be the most admired couple in all of Italy.”

He even signed “I love you.”

Around the table, people exchanged loaded looks. Sophia caught the mockery and pity buried inside those eyes—clear as day.

Her heart dropped like it had been thrown into ice water, sinking into a dark, airless deep.

They were laughing about his nights with his mistress, and he could still smile and dress it up as praise for their love.

My dear Don.

She stared at his perfect profile in silence.

Your lies… are already practiced to perfection.