The Queen the Don Lost

Vera Este lost her folks young, growing up in an orphanage until she was ten. Her looks? More curse than blessing—some creep nearly took her home once.Then Carlo Quaranta showed up like some kinda hero. Hauled her to the Quaranta estate and had his folks adopt her as their own. One minute she was a nobody, next she was a mafia principessa.He taught her the rules—how to read, how to fight, how to survive in a world where kindness gets you killed.He was the Don—cold, calculated, ruthless. But with her? He had one soft spot he never let anyone see.That softness messed with her head. Made her want things she had no business wanting.In her last life, Gina Chisari—principessa of the Chisari family—played dirty. She threatened Vera with the lives of the orphanage kids just to shove her out of Montavera and away from the Quaranta name.Vera brushed it off. Thought Gina couldn't touch anything on Quaranta turf.Then Carlo got drugged... and Vera gave in. Gave herself to him, became

Vera's eyes stung.Right. She was just the adopted one. Now that the real lady was here, what right did she have to stay in the room next to the Don's?She was leaving soon anyway. Didn't matter where she slept."Fine. I'll pack." She stood.Her eyes landed on the custom handgun on the table, and bitterness surged.She'd made it when she was eighteen—a gift for Carlo. Built it herself, hoping it could protect him when she couldn't.But in her past life, he'd chucked it straight in the trash."I ain't using junk like this. What if it misfires? You gonna take the hit for me?"Yeah. Didn't look like he'd be getting it in this life either."No need to pack," Gina said, full of disdain. "I don't want any of that junk. Carlo, just toss it. I want everything new."Carlo nodded. "Whatever you want."Then, without flinching, he turned to the house manager. "Gabrio. Have someone clear the room. Move Vera's stuff to the servants' quarters—out back."Vera let out a dry smile."Got it.

Vera froze. "I didn't—"Smack.The slap cracked across her face. She hit the ground, hard. The cut on her knee ripped open again, blood seeping into the carpet.For a split second, she thought Carlo reached for her—something like regret in his eyes.Then Gina whimpered, and his hand snapped back to her instead.Vera blinked fast, swallowing the sting. 'Yeah right. As if he'd ever feel bad for me.'"You've let me down," he said coldly. "I taught you to fight to protect yourself—not to hurt people. Apologize to Gina. Now."She stared at him, quiet and hollow.Even in this life, he didn't hesitate—just believed Gina. Didn't even let her speak.Back then, whenever she got into it with someone, Carlo always had her back. Right or wrong.He used to say he stood by his own—not the truth.Now Gina was the one he stood by. And Vera? She was just... an outsider.So even after stepping down, she wasn't family anymore.The weight of that hit like a brick. She didn't even have the stre

Vera dragged her bloodied body to call for an ambulance.The doctor shook his head as he worked. "Cuts aren't too deep, but they'll scar. Shame. Such a pretty girl. Whoever did this wasn't just angry—they were vicious. Your family must be devastated."She gave a bitter smile.Her family did this.They wouldn't shed a tear. Wouldn't care.She didn't have a family. Not anymore. The brother she once trusted? Already tossed her like garbage.Still, before she vanished for good, she had one last weapon to finish.Work kept the pain quiet.***Time flew. Before Vera could blink, the Quaranta and Chisari Families dropped the big announcement—the engagement was official.Every Don in the underworld showed up. The banquet? Over-the-top. Flashy. Loud. A straight-up flex from Carlo, making it crystal clear how much he doted on Gina.Vera couldn't help it—her mind slipped back. Her wedding with Carlo had been a ghost of a ceremony. No guests. No "congrats." Hell, he didn't even show up

By the time the plane touched down, Vera hurt everywhere.Her ankle was bleeding again, bandage soaked deep red—but she didn't care.She had no clue where she was headed. No plan. Just one truth:She was never going back.But the second she stepped out of the terminal, she froze.A black car rolled up. Slow. Sleek.Door swung open.Luca Lombardo stepped out.The Don of the Lombardo Family—the one who used to own the emerald brooch Carlo traded a whole arms route for.Vera's heart stuttered. 'What the hell is he doing here?'Luca walked over, cool and steady, a flicker of concern in his eyes."What're you standing around for? Get in."Vera opened her mouth. No sound came."How... How did you...""I knew the day of the deal," he said, smiling faintly. "You were done with the Quaranta Family."She froze."I made a few arrangements. Just in time to catch you the second you landed."She gripped her suitcase handle like it was the only thing holding her together. Her knuckle