Chapter 3

After returning to the ward, I could still feel my hand humming from the recoil of the gun. Even after punishing Fabio, his words stayed lodged in my heart like a thorn.

Now, everyone seemed to think that Matteo should marry Isabella.

Back when he was just a local Capo, a deal went south. He was taken hostage and had three of his ribs shattered. I was the one who begged Papa to step in and save his life.

That day, he lay in his hospital bed and gripped my hand tightly. "Bianca, I thought I'd never see you again. Fate was on my side."

He thanked fate, never knowing it was me who had saved his life.

Now that he had made it to the top, the woman on his side was replaced.

I leaned against the window and smoked one cigar after another. That night, Matteo never came to me again.

When he finally called, it wasn't to explain, but to coldly interrogate. "Did you pull a gun on Fabio today?"

"Yes."

There was a pause before his voice turned colder. "Since when did you learn how to handle a gun?

"I just took power, Bianca. Do you have any idea how that one shot could shatter my men's trust in me?"

I exhaled a cloud of smoke and expressionlessly replied, "He insulted me first, so I punished him according to the rules. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Bianca!" he snapped, clearly starting to bubble in rage. "I don't care what the reason was, only the result. There were a dozen better ways to handle it.

"At least if it were Isabella, she'd never have done the same thing."

After he said those words, we both fell silent. Just as he was about to speak again, I hung up.

In that moment, the cigar I held suddenly tasted bitter and pointless. I put it out and went straight to the desk to process my discharge.

Every inch of this city that carried Matteo's scent now made me feel sick.

It was 2:00 am by the time the procedures were complete. I stood on a deserted street and let the biting cold wind whip around me.

Just then, a car pulled up in front of me before the window rolled down to reveal a handsome man.

I instantly recognized him as Enzo Castelli, Don of the Castelli Famiglia.

"Well, if it isn't Matteo's little trophy wife," he drawled. "Why are you standing on the streets looking like a stray puppy?"

I ignored him and, step by step, limped forward. He didn't press and sped off like a gust of wind.

I checked into a hotel and settled for the night. But the next morning, my door was smashed open.

Matteo stood there, his face a contorted mask of fury.

He lividly hurled a stack of photos at my feet. "All I did was give you a piece of my mind, Bianca, and you escaped from the hospital to go behind our backs with our rivals!"

I stood frozen before picking up the photos on the floor. They showed Enzo talking to me with his window wound down.

"No… It's not what it looks like."

"Ms. Valenti," Isabella said. Her expression was dark as she shot me a cold look. "During my recent investigation, I discovered that the Castellis planted a spy in our Famiglia, but I could never identify who it was.

"You're the only person who's ever been seen with him."

"What nonsense!" I shouted. "How could I ever betray the Famiglia?"

"Why not?" Matteo said coldly. "Your jealousy has gone too far, Bianca."

Isabella immediately chimed in, "Ms. Valenti, I know you've recently felt like I've taken Don Rossini's affection away from you.

"I'm sorry if that caused misunderstandings, but the Famiglia is built on everyone's hard work. This shouldn't be how you take revenge."

Her calm, measured tone only seemed to highlight my hysteria.

I looked at Matteo, the man I had loved for so many years, and had no desire to explain anything at all.

I took a slow breath and forced down my emotions. "So, Matteo, are you here to punish me?

"Or are you here to get a divorce and kick me out of the Famiglia?"