Chapter 2

"Aurora, I was in a meeting with some of the capos. Is it urgent?"

"We need to talk. I'm on my way over now."

Harrison hesitated, his voice strained.

"Now? I'm afraid it's not a good time. I have a meeting with some of the family elders tonight. If this is just about something trivial, like picking out jewelry, wait until I get back to the estate and..."

"I can't wait another second," I cut him off.

My uncharacteristically firm tone made Harrison pause.

After all, for the past five years, I had been obedient and agreeable. I had rarely even said the word "no" to him.

Let alone showed such open defiance.

His voice lowered, thick with displeasure. "Are you still throwing a fit about the permanent residency? I've already announced to everyone that you're my woman, the future Donna of the Moretti family."

"Under my protection, on this turf, a piece of paper won't stop you from having everything."

"As for all that tedious government paperwork, I've been busy taking over new territory. I just don't have time to deal with it. Besides, all you do is manage the estate. What do you even need that for?"

"Aurora, be good. I'm always here to protect you. You don't have to worry about a thing."

Harrison had whispered similar sweet nothings in my ear on countless passionate nights.

But hearing them now, every word dripped with bitter irony.

Protecting a woman who wasn't his legal wife?

Then what did that make me?

The other woman? His mistress, hidden away in the shadows? Or just an accessory to be discarded whenever he pleased?

At best, I was little more than a bedmate, to be used at his whim.

I didn't confront him over the phone.

I just said coolly, "I'll be there in twenty minutes," and hung up.

There were some things I needed to hear from Harrison's own lips, while he was looking me in the eye.

Since I never involved myself in family business, I had rarely set foot in this private club he owned.

Harrison was always busy. I felt that showing up unannounced would only be a disturbance, not a help.

My unfamiliarity was obvious. The bodyguards at the door questioned me for a long time before his assistant, Marco, finally led me up to the VIP room in the furthest corner of the second floor.

When I reached it, the thick, soundproofed wooden door was slightly ajar. Through the crack, I could hear the raucous laughter of men inside.

I recognized their voices. They were the family's trusted Capos, each in charge of their own district.

One of them downed a shot of liquor and shouted boisterously,

"Boss, when are you finally gonna throw a proper wedding for Cathy? The boys have already stocked up on ammunition to celebrate."

"Yeah, you're legally husband and wife. By all rights, you should have produced an heir by now. Why are you still keeping her so hidden?"

Cathy's coy protest followed. "Oh, you guys, stop it. Harrison only helped me get legal status for the sake of our families and our childhood friendship."

"If Aurora heard you talking like this, she'd get jealous."

The man who had spoken was clearly not giving up.

Instead, he took his cue from Cathy and started badmouthing me.

"So what if she gets jealous? If the Boss wasn't spending a fortune on that little canary, a helpless woman like her would've been passed around and killed on the streets by now. She can't compare to you, Cathy. You're a woman who can hold her own with the Boss at the negotiating table."

"Besides keeping the Boss happy in bed, what is she good for? Laundry and cooking? We have servants for that. She's just a pretty decoration."

He then added with a low chuckle, offering Harrison some advice.

"Boss, if you ask me, you should just make this thing with Cathy official and make her our real Donna."

"As for the one you're keeping at the estate, just toss her a check and send her packing back home."

My hand, resting on the brass doorknob, froze.

Like the men in the room, I held my breath, waiting for Harrison's answer.

His silence was a clear sign of his approval of the insulting banter.

The sound of his fingertips tapping the table stopped for a few seconds, followed by a soft chuckle.

"Alright, shut your mouths. Cathy's sensitive."

"As for the one at home... she's been a bit temperamental lately. Nothing a little coaxing in bed can't fix. And if that doesn't work, well... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

The subtext was crystal clear.

As his words fell, the VIP room erupted in knowing, complicit laughter.

I refused to stand outside like a fool any longer.

Amid the jeering laughter, I pushed open the door.