Chapter 1

"Donna Marchetti, everything is arranged. The Benedetti family is ready to receive you in Sicily."

My fingers tightened around the phone. "And the documentation? The volunteer work arrangement?"

"All prepared. Transfer papers under Benedetti protection, identity documents, bank accounts in Sicily under your maiden name. The private flight leaves in seven days."

Relief flooded through me. "Good. Send me the final details tomorrow."

After confirming the details one more time, I ended the call and slipped the phone into my clutch.

The bathroom door swung open and one of the capo's wives walked in with her lipstick in hand.

Her eyes went wide the moment she recognized me standing by the sinks.

Before I could finish drying my hands, she was already pulling me back into the private dining hall.

Nico stood the second I walked through the door. His hands moved through the air in familiar signs. “Where did you go? You were gone for so long.”

"I just needed a moment," I said, settling back into my seat beside him. "Continue with what you were discussing."

One of his capos immediately leaned forward with a grin. "I still cannot believe Don Marchetti is stuck playing devoted husband to a woman who cannot even hear him."

"At least he has Valentina Rossi to make up for what he is missing at home with his deaf wife."

Nico's face went completely pale and his eyes darted toward me to see if I had heard anything.

"Mind what you say. The Donna is sitting right here."

My daughter, Isabella looked up from her dessert plate with boredom written across her young face.

"What's there to be afraid of, Papa? Mama can't hear us anyway."

Laughter rippled around the table. My nails dug into my palm hard enough to leave marks.

Nico picked up his knife and carefully cut a piece of meat into perfect bite-sized portions before placing them on my plate.

"Valentina Rossi is nothing more than a distraction to pass the time when business gets boring. Giulia is the only woman I love. But I hide it well because if she ever found out about Valentina, she'd leave me."

His gaze swept across the room. "Any man who lets a single word of this reach her ears will answer to me directly. Are we understood?"

The capos cheered and raised their glasses before the last word had even finished leaving his mouth.

"Don Marchetti, there is truly no other man in this entire city built the way you are built!"

"Seven years married and still living like a free man! The rest of us lost that battle by year two!"

"The Don always knows exactly how to handle every situation that comes his way!"

The conversation shifted into praise and admiration. They talked about Nico like he was a genius for managing two women at once.

Suddenly, the front entrance opened.

Valentina Rossi walked into the private dining hall wearing a red dress that hugged every curve of her body. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves down her back.

Isabella jumped out of her seat and ran straight towards her arms. "Aunt Valentina! You're finally here!"

Valentina scooped her up and kissed her cheek. "Piccola! Did you miss me today?"

"Of course I did! Did you bring what you promised?"

Valentina pulled out a small box wrapped in expensive paper from her bag. "The cannoli from that special bakery in Little Italy. Just like I said I would."

Isabella's face lit up like fireworks. She wrapped her arms around Valentina's neck and squeezed tight. "You're the best, Aunt Valentina! I love you so much!"

"I love you too, sweetheart."

Valentina set Isabella down and walked directly to Nico. She didn't hesitate. She sat down on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and pecked him on his cheeks.

They descended into complete chaos.

"You two can't keep your hands off each other even in front of everyone!"

One of the capos leaned forward with eyes gleaming. "Don, I've got to ask. Since Giulia can't hear anything, have you and Valentina ever done it at the estate?"

The question hung in the air. Everyone waited for the answer.

Nico's smile widened. "Of course we have. Multiple times. It's nice when you know she'll never find out."

"Where? Come on, Don, give us details!"

"The guest room next to the master bedroom. My office. The wine cellar. Even the greenhouse Giulia loves so much."

The room exploded with applause. Glasses crashed together in celebration.

"Jesus Christ, Don! You've got nerves of steel!"

"Marriage isn't going to stop you and Valentina from having your fun!"

The compliments kept coming and the laughter kept building with every passing second.

But no one noticed how tightly I was clenching my fists under the table.

No one noticed how my face had gone perfectly still, while the entire room celebrated around me like I was not sitting right there among them.

No one knew that I had regained my hearing exactly seven days ago.

And in few days from tonight, I was going to disappear from Nico Marchetti's life forever.