Replaced by His Capo, I Left the Don

Tonight was the Vance family's annual portrait.But in the brief moment I glanced down to fix my dress, Camilla had already stolen the spot right beside Silas—a place reserved strictly for the Don's wife in Vance history.No one in the room seemed to think it was out of line.A few Elders even chuckled. "You can really see the chemistry when Camilla stands next to the boss."I stared at them, humiliated. Camilla wore a striking red dress, the Browning pistol Silas had personally gifted her tucked into her waistband. She whispered excitedly to him.Silas caught my eye, but only said, "Scarlett, just stand in the back row today.""Silas," I said, keeping my voice steady. "That's not how things work."He frowned. "Camilla's already settled. Don't make a scene. We have enough pictures of just the two of us. Missing one won't hurt.""Don Silas," Camilla chimed in, putting on a slightly hurt expression. "Scarlett seems upset. Let me step back. I really don't mind where I stand."Yet her feet

I tore the wedding binder apart, page by page, and threw it in the trash.Late that night, Silas finally came home, buzzing with adrenaline."Scarlett, that was way too close. Thank God Camilla's fine, and we got the shipment back."He walked toward me, leaning in to kiss my cheek, acting as if everything was perfectly normal.I sat on the couch, looking down at my phone. I was busy wiring the funds from my New York accounts to overseas banks."Congratulations," I said, dodging his kiss. My voice was deadpan.Silas stopped. His eyes drifted to the trash can, catching a glimpse of the shredded pages with the word Wedding on them.His expression darkened."Scarlett," he said coldly. "Is this how you show you're upset? Are you seriously pitching a fit over this?"I looked up at him. "Over what?""I had to leave for the Famiglia!" his voice rose. "And this is how you throw a tantrum? The silent treatment? Ripping up the wedding plans just so I can see?"A dry laugh escaped my lips.It made

(Silas's POV)Scarlett walked away, but Silas just loosened his tie in annoyance and let out a cold scoff. He didn't chase her.He knew Scarlett too well.Over the last four years, she had gotten mad, cried, slammed doors, but she never left his side.Give it three days, tops. She'd come back with red eyes and ask, Can we make up?He even felt a twisted sense of satisfaction—his fiancée was jealous. It meant she cared.He partied at the club until dawn.For the next three days, Silas drowned himself in the glory of his success. Deals, handshakes, toasts. The entire New York underworld was kissing the feet of the youngest Don at the top of the food chain.He didn't call Scarlett once.Let her cool off, he thought. When she came crawling back, he'd buy her a bigger necklace. Hell, he'd give her shares, titles, whatever she wanted.Late on the fourth night.Silas pushed open the penthouse door, reeking of booze. Out of habit, he called out, "Scarlett, get me my hangover pills—"Dead silen

I didn't fight him. I just calmly slid my wrist out of his grip.Then, I took a step back."Sir, you have the wrong person."Silas's hand hung frozen in the air."Scarlett..." His eyes instantly welled with tears, his voice breaking. "Stop this, please? I kicked Camilla out of the Famiglia. I told the Elders and the whole syndicate that the strategy was yours. Come home. We'll get married right away. What kind of dress do you want? I'll fly it in from anywhere in the world!"Julian frowned and smoothly stepped in front of me, blocking Silas."Back the fuck off," Silas hissed at Julian. "This is between me and my fiancée. It's none of your business."I stepped out from behind Julian."You mean ex-fiancée. Use the right words, Silas."I looked into his devastated eyes and let out a mocking laugh. "Besides, you and Camilla are the perfect match, aren't you? She took a bullet for you. She understands your business. Everyone says you two look perfect together. Why would I get in the way?"S

Silas let out a choked groan, collapsing over me. Blood instantly soaked through his suit. I sat on the concrete, staring at him.His face was ashen, drenched in a cold sweat, yet his bloodshot eyes fought to stay open. He forced a weak, trembling smile at me."You're safe... that's all that matters."He lifted his blood-covered hand, shaking violently, wanting to touch the edge of my trench coat. But he hovered, as if terrified his blood would stain me. For a fraction of a second, my heart did violently contract.But I immediately scooted back. I couldn't soften. I knew perfectly well that if I showed an ounce of pity, I'd be dragged right back into the abyss that had consumed me for four years.I pulled out my phone, dialed 911, gave the address, and reported the accident.Then, I spoke into the phone:"I will cover all his medical bills."The last flicker of light in Silas's eyes died completely at those words.His hand dropped, falling lifelessly into the puddle of his own blood