Donna Returns To Bury the Volkovs

I woke up in a stark, basic room. A single nurse stood beside me.

“My baby… where’s my baby?” My voice was a raw whisper.

“Your baby didn’t make it.”

The nurse pulled the IV from my hand. No expression on her face.

“He wasn’t breathing when he was born. A boy.”

My hand froze, then slowly fell to my flat stomach.

It was empty.

A part of me had been carved out, right along with my heart.

“Claiming to be the Don’s wife? You’ve got a death wish,” the nurse sneered, picking up her tray. “Can’t even pay your bill, so you pull a stunt like this. If the Don finds out, you’re dead.”

I stared at her. “I am Maxim’s wife.”

“Shut up,” she cut me off. “Everyone in Chicago knows the Don worships his Donna. He canceled everything today to be with her upstairs. You? If you don’t have money, call your family and get out.”

The door shut.

I lay there. My mind was a blank slate.

Wife? At her side?

It wasn’t a dream. It was real.

But I couldn’t believe it.

For three years, the way Maxim looked at me… pure possession.

The day I told him I was pregnant, this man who terrified all of Chicago knelt at my feet.

His eyes were wet as he kissed my belly, whispering he’d give me and our child the world.

Was that the same man?

There’s only one Don Maxim in Chicago.

I ripped the tape off my arm. Blood welled up.

The anesthesia was gone. The stitches from the delivery burned with a tearing pain.

I used the wall to pull myself up, shuffling out of the room.

I had to see him.

This had to be some sick mistake.

The VIP floor was dead silent.

The door to the luxury suite at the end of the hall was cracked open. A warm light spilled out.

I dragged myself closer, my hand on the doorframe.

“With the kidney from Seraphina’s kid… a perfect match… our son is saved.”

Maxim’s voice.

Deep. Confident. A gentle relief I had never heard before.

“You can rest now, Isla.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Isla.

My adoptive sister.

It was her.

All the pieces I’d ignored slammed together, forming the ugliest truth.

Two years ago, I found her cornered by loan sharks in one of my bars.

The light hit the butterfly birthmark on her collarbone.

I knew. She was the long-lost daughter of the Bellinis, the family that raised me.

I brought her home.

I gave her everything. My unconditional love.

Everything changed six months ago at the docks.

A rival hit. Isla threw herself in front of Maxim. Took a bullet for him.

After that day, Maxim was different.

He let her get away with anything.

I fought with him about it. Jealousy ate at me.

He just held me, kissed my tears. “I’m just grateful she saved my life, Seraphina. You’re the one I love.”

I believed him.

Then the family dinner a few months ago. I was so happy to announce I was pregnant.

The second the words left my mouth, Isla covered her mouth at the table. A dramatic gag.

She was pregnant, too.

My adoptive father exploded. Screamed at her for getting pregnant out of wedlock.

Then he turned and took my hand, calling me the family’s pride.

It wasn’t some bastard child.

It was Maxim’s.

“We had no choice.” Inside the room, my so-called mother’s voice was cold. Matter-of-fact. “We took Seraphina in for exactly this reason. It’s the least she owes us.”

The blood in my veins turned to ice.

My son. My newborn baby.

There was no failed rescue.

No tragic accident.

He was bred for spare parts. Sacrificed to save Isla’s bastard.

My husband, my family… they murdered my son together.

My stomach churned. I stumbled back, crashing into a medical cart.

I had to get away.

But the door swung open.

Isla.

She glowed with the blush of a new mother. Not sick at all.

She saw my pale face and a secret smile touched her lips.

“Sister. Standing out here so long. Why not come in?” She stepped out, closing the door behind her.

I stared at her, my voice shaking with pain. “Why… he was just born…”

Isla moved closer, her voice a low hiss.

“Oh, I should tell you. I was never sick. And my Leo’s kidneys are perfectly fine.”

Her voice was sickeningly sweet.

“I don’t need a kidney. I just love watching you lose everything.” She leaned in, every word a poisoned blade. “You’re a stray. Why should you get the Don’s love?”

Rage burned through me.

I didn’t feel the pain in my stitches. I lunged, reaching for her.

I needed to rip that human mask off her face. Show everyone the monster beneath.

My fingers barely brushed her sleeve.

Isla shrieked and threw herself backward.

But as she fell, her foot subtly hooked my ankle. A calculated trip.

I was already weak. I lost my balance and slammed onto the hard floor.

My stitches ripped open. Warm blood soaked through my thin hospital gown.

“Sera, don’t kill me!” Isla cried from the floor, hiding her face as tears streamed down.

The suite door burst open.

Maxim rushed out, my adoptive parents right behind him.

His large frame was suffocating. He didn’t even look at me lying in a pool of my own blood.

He stepped right over me, kneeling to pull Isla into his arms.

“Isla, don’t be afraid. I’m here.” His voice trembled, like he’d almost lost her.

The cold hallway light cut across his profile. The face I’d loved for three years. Now a terrifying stranger.

Only when Isla’s sobs quieted did he finally turn his head.

His cold eyes landed on me.

“What are you doing? Isla just gave birth. She can’t handle this!”