My Salvation, My Damnation

I had been with my husband, Leon Costa, for five years. I thanked God every day for letting me meet him. He appeared when my fiance betrayed me and my mother was dying. He had helped me selflessly.

Even though Mom eventually died from rejection reactions, I never blamed him for it. That was until tonight, when I stood outside the study door and heard the whole truth.

"Don't worry, Penny. Camilla's recent poor condition might not be a rejection reaction."

Leon Costa's voice was deep and gentle in a way that was out of character. After all, he was a cold and ruthless mafia Don in front of most people.

"Veronica's kidney can last at least another 20 years."

What was he talking about? My ears buzzed, and I couldn't hear anything he said after that.

In a daze, I remembered that rainy night five years ago when I was still Marco Lombardi's fiancee. I was sitting disheveled outside the operating room, calling Marco over and over again.

I had called him 99 times, yet he didn't answer a single one of my calls. Leon appeared at that moment. He crouched down and draped his suit jacket over me. His voice was low and gentle.

"Ms. Bianchi, I heard from my business partner that you need help."

He arranged everything methodically, unlike Marco, who always made me fight for everything desperately. Only later did I learn that this man was the newly risen mafia Don, Leon Costa.

Unfortunately, although the surgery succeeded, Mom still died.

"I'm very sorry, but Sofia didn't make it through. I've already dealt with the negligent staff."

He held me as I cried until I couldn't breathe, comforting me by saying that my kidney could accompany Mom in eternal rest, and she would be comforted in heaven. Only then did my busy fiance remember me and call back.

It turned out he hadn't answered his phone because my frail stepsister, Penny Rossi, was "running a fever" again. I didn't hesitate to break off our engagement. He flew into a rage, accusing me of only caring about my mother.

Leon couldn't stand listening anymore and snatched the phone to scold him severely. "Veronica deserves better. If you won't cherish her, then don't you dare criticize anyone else who wants to!"

After hanging up, I looked at him in surprise. He slipped a diamond ring onto my ring finger before I could react.

He knelt on one knee. The decisive southern mafia Don's ears turned red as he stammered through his proposal, but the sincerity burning in those blue eyes made me cry.

"Veronica, marry me."

At that moment, I thought this was salvation. Now, here was this same man, making promises to Penny over the phone.

"Penny, from the year you saved me when you were 12 years old, I swore to protect you forever. Marrying your sister was just a way to let you be with Marco as you wished."

Music and crying drifted from the other end of the line.

"Marco? I... I don't want to talk about him..."

"Don't cry. What's that sound? Are you at a bar?" Leon's voice rose as he stood up abruptly.

"It's not safe being at one this late. I'm coming to pick you up right now!"

I snapped back to reality, stumbled back to the bedroom, and quickly lay down. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep. Leon stood in the entryway looking toward the bedroom before leaving. I felt his gaze piercing my back.

He walked in and gently covered me with the blanket. Then, he left with hurried footsteps.

I opened my eyes, and tears flowed uncontrollably, soaking the entire pillow.