Chapter 3

My words drove Joey into a rage, his face flushing a deep red.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vise. "What did you say? My money's dirty?"

His fingers dug into my skin, and I winced in pain. "Adriana, don't push your luck!"

Vivian fanned the flames. "Joey, she's just putting on an act! She's obviously here with her tail between her legs, but she has to put on this holier-than-thou act!"

Joey stared into my eyes, and a self-satisfied smirk slowly spread across his face. "I get it."

He released my wrist and took a step back. "You're still mad at me, aren't you?"

"It's been three years, Adriana. You're still throwing a tantrum over that? It was nothing."

Angelo tugged on Vivian's skirt. "Mama Vivian, why is she mad at Daddy?"

Vivian crouched down, stroking Angelo's head gently. "Because she's jealous, sweetie. Jealous that Daddy has a better woman now."

"Jealous that you have a prettier new mommy."

Understanding dawned on Angelo's face. He pointed at me. "Oh, so she's jealous! No wonder she's acting so pathetic!"

Joey's ego swelled. He straightened his suit collar, adopting a magnanimous air. "Fine. Seeing as you're Angelo's birth mother, I'll give you a chance."

"In three days, the family is hosting a grand reception to welcome the Don. I can get you in as Angelo's nanny, so you can see how the other half lives."

"Joey is a goddamn saint!"

"Adriana, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The entire New York high society will be there!"

"You'll never see a party of that caliber in your life!"

Joey looked down his nose at me. "Well? Isn't that generous enough for you?"

I stared at him coldly and said, one syllable at a time, "No. Thank. You."

The air crackled with tension. Everyone was stunned, as if they couldn't believe I would refuse such a "gracious" offer.

Joey's face turned thunderous. "What did you say?"

"I said, no thank you," I repeated. "We're divorced, Joey. A clean break is best. It prevents complications." I thought of my intensely jealous husband. Dante's possessiveness scared even me.

Being rejected again and again had finally pushed Joey over the edge. He pointed a finger at my nose and snarled, "Adriana! You ungrateful bitch!"

"I've been more than generous! What more could you possibly want?"

"Fine! Just fine!" He turned and wrapped his arm around Vivian's waist, his voice loud enough for the whole street to hear. "If that's how you want it, don't blame me for forgetting we had a history!"

"At the reception in three days, I'm going to walk in with Vivian and Angelo on my arm. I'll show the whole world who the real woman in my life is!"

Vivian leaned into Joey's embrace, her eyes locked on me in a triumphant challenge. "Adriana, when I'm Joey's wife, Angelo will be the prince of this family. And you? You'll be nothing but an outsider, looking in."

Angelo clapped his hands. "Yay! I'm going to wear my most handsome little suit! So everyone will know Vivian is my mommy!"

Watching their little family drama unfold, I felt nothing but profound disgust. But it was for the best. I only hoped they'd still be this arrogant in three days.

Three days later, the reception took place as scheduled.

The Moretti family's private club was a glittering palace of gold and crystal, filled with the elite of New York's underworld.

I wore light makeup and a black silk gown that Dante had chosen for me personally.

I wore no jewelry, and my hair was swept up in a simple, elegant knot.

The moment I stepped into the hall, I saw them.

Vivian was in a gown covered in rhinestones, a gaudy necklace around her neck, as if desperate for attention.

Angelo, stuffed into a tiny tuxedo, clutched her hand, playing the perfect little prince.

When Joey saw me, a flicker of confusion crossed his face.

He was probably wondering how the hell I got an invitation to an event of this caliber. He leaned over and whispered something to Vivian, who covered her mouth and giggled.

Angelo pointed at me and announced to the people around them, "See? That lady is my old mommy! She's my nanny now!"

Curious and judgmental glances shot my way from all directions.

"So, you couldn't stay away after all," Joey said, striding up to me with that familiar arrogance. "But if you're trying to win me back, at least show some class. An outfit like that is just embarrassing."

I ignored his baffling narcissism and walked past him toward my seat.

Joey, infuriated, grabbed my arm. "Adriana, I'm talking to you! Our seats are down there, where are you going?"

I shook his hand off. "Those are your seats, not mine."

I walked straight toward the back of the hall.

As I approached the head table, the seats reserved exclusively for the Don. The color drained from Joey's face.

"She's lost her mind," he muttered under his breath. "She's completely insane!"

Vivian saw where I was headed and let out a piercing shriek. "Joey! Look at that bitch! How dare she walk toward the Don's table?"

"Get her back here! She's going to get us all killed!"