Reborn: I Quit Pleasing the Don Chapter 2

Roxanne's POV

When I exited the chapel, I saw Stefano in the car, smoking a cigar and looking over contracts. Upon seeing me come out, he put out the cigar and got out of the car.

He handed me the wedding ring, saying, "Put it on yourself."

I took it and put it straight into my pocket. I smiled faintly at him as I said, "I won't wear it just yet."

Stefano frowned. "Haven't you always wanted to wear a wedding ring? You even want me to put it on for you?"

I subconsciously tightened my grip on the ring.

In my previous life, Stefano's parents forced him to put the wedding ring on my finger. At the time, he looked unwilling, but I was so lost in the joy of marrying him that I didn't notice.

"That's not what I meant. I'm very happy that I married you. It doesn't matter when I wear it."

Stefano laughed coldly, then snatched the ring and grabbed my left hand. Without a word, he shoved the ring onto my ring finger.

"Don't use this to bother me again," he said flatly.

Just as soon as the words fell, Mattia walked over. "Don Giullani, tonight's banquet at the casino has been arranged. Would you like to go there directly, or…"

I observed Stefano's expression.

Back then, after we registered our marriage at the chapel, I hoped to stand openly by his side. I kept pestering him to take me around and announce my identity.

But Stefano only looked at me coldly and said, "You're already married to me. Is there a need for all these formalities? You'll make an appearance on the day of the wedding ceremony anyway. I don't have time to take you around.

"If you want to go to the casino, go by yourself."

Thinking about it now, maybe he only wanted to show Lucia around those places.

There was no need for me to bring it up again this time.

After getting into the car, Stefano said, "If you want to appear before the Famiglia earlier, I can take you on my rounds first. Don't come and annoy me with anything else in the future. I don't have the time."

I was somewhat taken aback, being unaccustomed to his sudden offer to give me what I had longed for in my previous life.

But then I thought about it again. Stefano had always been like this—someone who spoke harshly but was soft-hearted.

I could still vividly remember the three times he had saved me in my past life.

I was 18 years old then. After being targeted by kidnappers, I was dragged to an abandoned factory.

Stefano came alone to save me. He was struck in his left ear, rendering him partially deaf. To this day, he still wasn't able to hear in that ear.

The second time was a shootout at the docks. We were hiding inside a shipping container, and there were only enough bullets for one person to break out.

He gave me half and told me to go from the left side while he provided cover. After I left, he was caught by our enemies and nearly died. Only later did I find out that his bullets were blanks and that he had given me every chance to live.

If help hadn't arrived in time, he would have definitely died at the hands of our enemies.

But he wasn't so lucky the third time. I took a bullet for him, but he pushed me away at the critical moment and shielded me with his back, giving me a chance at survival.

Then, I watched helplessly as he died right in front of me.

At the thought of these things, I couldn't give up on him so easily. But more than that, I wanted him to live.

Stefano's offer now stunned me. When he noticed that I hadn't responded, he continued, "Since you don't want to go—"

"I'll go with you," I replied, cutting him off and smiling at him.

Stefano's expression relaxed slightly, although his attitude remained cold as he instructed the driver to head to the casino.

On the way there, we didn't speak. Stefano kept his head down, reading documents the entire time, until we were nearly at the casino.

Suddenly, a call came through.

Once he answered the call, he frowned. The moment he hung up, he immediately told the driver to stop the car.