The World Forgot, the Don Unraveled

"You once told us you'd found a home in this universe. You traded your right to return to your own for permanent residency here."

The Interdimensional Transit Authority's automated voice sounded inside my head, as cold as ever.

"Our records show that you are now the Donna of the Bellandi family. Do you still wish to leave?"

"Yes. I don't want anything tying me to this world anymore."

After a brief silence, the system issued one last warning.

"The return process requires ten days. At the end of that period, all traces of your existence here will be erased. No one will remember you except individuals bound to you by contract.

"Please note that marriage constitutes a contract."

I nodded to confirm, feeling nothing at all.

Five years ago, Alessio Bellandi had been the first person in this strange world to recognize my talent as a musician. With him beside me, I had stopped feeling like a woman stranded in a universe that wasn't hers. He'd turned a penniless outsider into the Donna of the Bellandi family.

The Authority had warned me repeatedly. I was the survivor of an interdimensional accident. I did not belong here.

But I'd been hopelessly in love with a man who'd defied the entire Mafia to marry me.

Looking back, I couldn't believe how naive I'd been.

The vast estate was silent. An antique clock ticked toward one in the morning.

Today was our wedding anniversary.

For two weeks, the entire underworld had been buzzing about an antique crown Alessio had purchased at auction for an outrageous price. Even the casinos were taking bets on how the Don would present his gift to his beloved Donna.

I had no interest in the guessing game.

While everyone else waited for the answer, I'd already seen an Instagram Story.

Bianca Taviani, the daughter of another powerful family, was reclining by a fireplace. Her slightly rounded belly was impossible to miss. Alessio, my husband, slept with one arm wrapped around her.

The photograph had been carefully framed to show her necklace. The stunning sapphire at its center was the crown's original centerpiece.

The Story disappeared shortly after I viewed it. I knew Bianca had posted it for me to see.

I lowered my eyes to my wedding ring, tracing the Bellandi family's black-rose crest.

Five years ago, Alessio had sworn his honor and loyalty on that ring.

I'd made him a promise of my own. "If you ever betray me, I'll disappear somewhere you'll never find me."

He'd laughed, swept me into his arms, and kissed me until I stopped speaking. "That will never happen."

He hadn't understood one thing about me: I always kept my promises.

Now I had ten days to make my exit as clean as possible. Still, when I thought of him, a sharp ache caught me off guard.

At some point, I fell asleep in the sitting-room chair. I woke to the familiar scent of tobacco and gunpowder.

"Sweetheart? Why are you sleeping out here?"

Alessio stood over me in a black suit, the cold of the night still clinging to his clothes. He bent to settle my shawl around my shoulders. His eyes held that same tenderness that had once convinced me I was the luckiest woman alive.

I instinctively leaned away. He didn't seem to notice and kissed me anyway.

"Happy anniversary."

He produced a black velvet box.

"The family meeting ran late. I'm sorry. I brought you something."

Inside lay the antique crown everyone was talking about. Sapphires gleamed along its delicate frame, but its central stone had been replaced with a newly cut diamond that looked strangely out of place.

I couldn't quite summon a delighted expression.

"Don't you like it? I had it redesigned just for you. There isn't another like it in the world."

He watched me with the same adoring gaze he'd always used, as though another woman had never entered his life.

"Is this gift really just for me?" I asked.

He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then smiled.

"Of course, Camille. You're the only Donna the Bellandi family has."

I met his eyes. "I'm not asking about the title. Am I the only woman in your heart?"

Alessio stroked my hair and kissed me passionately.

"Of course. You'll always be the most precious person in my life."

I lowered my eyes and kissed him back.

Most precious wasn't the same as only, but I didn't bother correcting him.