I calmly pulled my hand away, rubbing the red mark on my wrist. “Damian, stop being so unreasonable,” I said, my tone light. “We were just watching an old movie. He just got out of the pool. This paranoid act of yours is making me tired.”

Every single word was a line he had used to dismiss me in the past.

Damian froze, his face turning pale.

He seemed to be in disbelief that those words were coming from my mouth.

Standing nearby, Marco let out a timely sigh and shrugged. “Damian, don’t mind me. Fina and I have always been like this, she doesn't see me as a stranger. But if you really don’t want me here, I can leave.”

His performance of a strategic retreat was flawless.

I immediately grabbed Marco’s arm as he pretended to leave, shooting a reproachful look at Damian. “Why are you being so rude to him? Damian, when did you become so paranoid and suspicious?”

“Me, paranoid and suspicious?” Damian was trembling with rage. “He’s the head of the Verratti family! And he’s in our house in the middle of the fucking night! And you’re defending him!”

“And what about Clara?” I finally revealed my true intentions, a small smile playing on my lips. “Isn’t she a woman? She calls you in the dead of night, and you run to her side without a second thought. How come you never mention a godfather and a young woman being alone in a room together?”

I took a step closer, looking directly into his furious eyes, pinning him in place with my words.

“If you can treat Clara as a helpless sister who needs protection, then I can have Marco as a normal friend. You can’t have it both ways, Mr. Godfather.”

Damian’s lips moved, but no words came out.

Trapped by his own hypocrisy, he was left speechless. He turned and stormed out, his men following as he slammed the door behind him.

Silence returned to the living room. I finally let out a breath and looked at Marco. “Thanks. Sorry you had to see that.”

Marco, however, had dropped his playful facade. He poured himself a drink and looked at me, his eyes filled with a complex emotion. “Serafina, do you remember at Yale Law? In the moot court competition, you completely destroyed my argument. I couldn't say a word.”

I was taken aback.

He laughed, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. “Even back then, I thought you belonged in the spotlight, confident and proud. Not trapped in this gilded cage, wasting your brilliance on a man who doesn't deserve you.”

He put down his glass and looked at me seriously. “It’s Damian’s loss that he doesn’t cherish you. I’m not helping you for the drama. I just think… you deserve better than this.”

Looking into his sincere eyes, I felt the resentment in my heart ease, just a little.

Yes. I shouldn't be like this.

And that poor woman… she never deserved an end like that.

I touched my chest, my gaze hardening with resolve.

Patience.

This is just the beginning.

It’s time for you arrogant men to pay back every ounce of suffering we women endured, and then some.