Chapter 3The Succession Gala They Forgot Was Mine Too

After the doctor left, my assistant asked, "Why didn't you tell anyone you were sick?"

"I'm used to it."

I would've been fine. I'd always slept off my colds before.

She looked surprised but didn't press the issue.

"Your parents will worry if they find out. Call them and let them know you're okay."

"They're busy. They went to Naples with my sister for her new assignment."

"What's she doing in Naples?"

"Running the family weapons operation."

Surprise crossed my assistant's face again.

She hesitated, then said, "One day, you can too."

I knew what she meant.

One day, I could be where Beth was.

Just not yet.

I said nothing more and went to sleep. When I woke up in the middle of the night, dozens of messages were waiting in the family group chat.

Don Dominic Turner had praised Beth soon after she took over the weapons operation.

My mother was thrilled. She had sent more than a dozen voice messages, reminding Beth to be careful and always have bodyguards with her.

She also told Beth to get enough rest and eat properly.

She even promised to hire a professional nutritionist to prepare her meals.

My father had sent just as many messages, all saying pretty much the same thing.

The chat was full of their concern for Beth. Neither of them had even asked if I'd made it to Milan. My mother hadn't sent me a single message after they left for Naples.

I put my phone away and threw myself into work.

A few days later, Beth messaged me again.

"Monica, it's Mom's birthday. Look at the dress I'm getting her. Do you think she'll like it?"

A photo followed. It was a white dress with a bow at the neckline and lace along the hem, exactly the kind of style Mom loved.

I was still deciding whether to reply when another message popped up.

"What are you getting her? Are you coming back to Sicily for her birthday?"

I stared at the message for a long time.

It was Mom's birthday. I should get her something.

"The dress looks lovely. I won't be back."

After replying, I went to the mall to buy Mom a gift.

She loved diamonds, so I chose a diamond necklace and had it sent to the estate.

On her birthday, I texted her.

"Happy birthday. Work is keeping me busy. I will celebrate with you next year."

She replied almost immediately.

"All right."

That was all.

That night, I saw a photo she'd posted.

My parents stood together. My mother wore the dress Beth had bought her and a necklace from the year before.

Fireworks lit up the sky above the estate behind them.

The caption read, "The dress my daughter bought fits perfectly. Best birthday ever."

Beth replied underneath, "As long as you are happy, Mom. I wish I could have been there with you."

I closed the post and didn't look again.

Mom had never cared much for the gifts I gave her. Over the years, only Beth's birthday presents were displayed in her bedroom.

And the things I gave her, she would always say she liked them, but she would have the maid put them away at random.

By then, I was used to it.

After that, I stopped checking for news about my family. I only saw whatever showed up in the group chat.

Most of what I heard about Beth was another award or another compliment.

Whenever something good happened to her, my parents announced it to everyone, praised her publicly, and promised her another reward.

I started ignoring the notifications.

Instead, I focused entirely on my work.

Two months passed that way.

I did so well running the club that I was promoted to core operations.

For the first time, the Turner family trusted me with their confidential files.

I handled them all with extreme care.

The Don even assigned me to mentor his heir, Dante Turner, and prepare him to lead.

Work kept me so busy that when I finally had time to catch my breath, I realized no one had posted in the family group chat for three days.

Before I could give it much thought, the Don sent Dante and me to Southeast Asia to negotiate a weapons deal.

Just before our flight, my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number.