Chapter 4

Before I could even make my move, Valentina could no longer contain her glee. She showed up at the family's annual gala on Marcello's arm.

In front of the decorative backdrop, she leaned in and kissed Marcello on the cheek, her earrings swaying with the motion. They were a Mancini family heirloom. Rosaria had always thought I was beneath them and refused to give them to me.

A few gazes shifted from the two of them to me.

"Serafina, isn't that your husband?"

Before I could answer, Valentina walked straight up to me with her arm linked through Marcello's, making no effort to hide anything.

"Serafina, still out socializing while you're pregnant? That must be exhausting."

I met her gaze. "The divorce isn't even final yet, but you already couldn’t wait.

"If you like him, keep him. Don't worry. I have no interest in fighting over trash."

Someone nearby snickered. Several of the family members' wives looked at Valentina with open contempt, and one even turned away from her as if she had seen something filthy.

Valentina's smile slipped.

"Serafina, watch your mouth. Marcello and I grew up together. I'm only here as his date, so why do you have to make it sound so ugly?"

She looked me up and down.

"Then again, you're used to sneaking around yourself. No wonder you think everyone else is dirty too.

"I heard you'll be calling the shots again next quarter. You've certainly put a lot of work into charming Vito."

A few sharp gasps went around the room, and even more eyes landed on me.

"No way. Isn't Serafina just handling business for the family?"

"Marcello's divorcing her. Would he do that if it weren't true?"

Someone lowered their voice, though it did nothing to hide their excitement.

"I always thought it was strange. When the rest of us want to see the Don, we have to wait for someone to pass along a message, but she can walk right into the main house.

"And the Don's car has dropped her off more than once."

Once no one was looking at her with the same contempt as before, Valentina's smile crept back.

"Serafina, how are you going to deal with everyone from now on? You can't just run to him and pout every time someone doesn't listen to you, can you?"

She paused, then laughed with mock regret.

"Listen to me, worrying about you for nothing. As long as you keep one man happy, who here would ever dare cross you?"

I looked at her and said nothing.

A man set his glass down on the table, clearly displeased.

"No wonder some people never have to work for anything yet still outrank the rest of us.

"How can she even stomach it? He's old enough to be her father."

Their gazes slid from my face to my belly.

"Poor Marcello. He didn't find out until after he married her."

"The babies haven’t even been born yet. Who knows whose kids he'll end up raising."

Valentina made a show of clinging tighter to Marcello, playing the gentle, devoted friend as she murmured comforting words to him. Marcello let her lean against him.

I tore my gaze from their joined hands and looked at Valentina.

"You're saying all this in front of so many people. Are you sure you can handle the consequences?"

She sneered. "What's there to handle? If you're so scared of what people say, don't leave the house."

I nodded. "Remember what you just said."

Just then, there was a stir at the entrance. The Capos nearest the door rose first, and the chatter died away. The guards stepped aside to clear a path.

"The Don has arrived."

I followed everyone's gaze. Papa walked into the banquet hall, flanked by several of the family's elders.