The Surrogate for My Don

Five years married to Don Victor. 999 needles later, I was finally pregnant. But the baby wasn't mine. It belonged to his mistress, Julia.An hour ago, I was flying home from the hospital, the positive report clutched in my hand. It was Christmas Day. My husband, Don Victor, was about to get the surprise of his life.I reached his office. The heavy bass of a song pulsed from under the door. Then I heard his laugh—the sound that used to own my heart.Victor was inside.I took a deep breath, ready to give him the one thing he wanted more than anything.And then I heard another woman's moan."Ah... Victor... right there..."My hand froze on the doorknob."You like that, my queen? My Julia?" Victor's voice was rough, full of lust.My queen.He never called me that.In five years, the closest he got was "baby."Julia.The daughter of some second-rate family who’d been throwing herself at Victor for years.I’d heard her name before we were married.The woman was obsessed with him. She even t

"I don't care about the cost, Marcus," I gripped the phone tighter. "I have to leave him."I heard the rustle of papers on his end."Let's see... your prenup... Jesus, Maria, this isn't a prenup. It's a slave contract.""What does it say?""If you initiate the divorce, you walk away with nothing. Not only that, you owe him fifty million dollars in damages." Marcus's voice was heavy. "Worse, Article Thirteen forbids you from removing any 'asset' belonging to the Moretti family. And Maria, they define an unborn child as an asset."My blood ran cold."But there's one exception," Marcus continued. "If you can prove Victor violated the marital fidelity clause, the contract is void.""I have proof.""What kind of proof?""I saw him with Julia Romano tonight. And... this baby isn't mine.""What? You need to explain...""Marcus, give me twenty-four hours. I'll get you all the proof you need. For now, just tell me: how do I disappear?""Maria, this is dangerous. The Moretti family's tentacles a

I was lost in darkness for a long time.When I came to, my first feeling was fear.Did Victor catch me?Was I back in that golden cage?I snapped my eyes open, ready to face his rage.But it wasn't Victor's office. It wasn't the bedroom decorated to his tastes.It was a room I'd never seen before.High ceilings with beautiful moldings. A crystal chandelier casting a warm glow. The walls were an elegant cream, hung with impressionist paintings.But it was the view that stole my breath. A floor-to-ceiling window overlooked the entire glittering Chicago skyline.This room... it was familiar.Like a room from my dreams. Warm, elegant, full of life.Not like Victor's house—cold, oppressive, where every piece of furniture screamed power and control.I tried to sit up. A dull ache spread from my stomach.The baby...My hand trembled as I reached for my belly. It was wrapped in thick bandages."Don't move," a gentle voice said. "The doctor said you need to rest."I turned my head. My heart nea

Victor's POVWhen I got back from the island, my world had changed.News travels fast.Every corner of Chicago was whispering the same story—Don Victor Moretti got humiliated by the Castellano family from New York.My own men started looking at me differently."Boss, the Ricci family took the east side docks," Marco said, avoiding my eyes."What?""They're saying... they're saying you've lost your grip. That you're not worth their loyalty anymore."I flipped the table over."Bastards! Get everyone together. I want to wipe those traitors off the map!""Boss..." Marco hesitated. "We don't have the men. A lot of the guys... they've gone over to other families.""How many?""More than half."I collapsed into my chair.Overnight, I went from the king of Chicago to a rat in the street.And it was all because of that damn woman."Where is Julia?""She... she didn't come home today."Didn't come home?A dark feeling washed over me.---Julia's POVI sat in the back of a luxury sedan, a briefca

Three months later."The Boss has lost his mind."Tony whispered to Marco. "He talks to himself all day, just says her name over and over.""All of Chicago is laughing at us," Marco's face was grim. "The Moretti name is ruined.""He has to die.""For the future of the family."That night, they surrounded the estate.Victor sat in Maria's old room, holding her picture."Maria... can you hear me? I left you another message... why don't you answer?"The door was kicked in.Six men in black suits rushed in."It's just business, Boss," Marco said, his voice flat. He raised his gun.Victor didn't even look at him. His eyes were locked on the photograph in his hand.A single shot echoed in the empty room.His last breath was a whisper. A name."Maria."And then, it was over.---Maria's POVThe California sun was warm.I was painting a field of lavender, the purple flowers swaying in the breeze."News from Chicago," Alex said, his voice neutral, walking up behind me with a tablet."What news?