All Chapters of My Mafia Husband Said He Was Broke: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The day I married Santino Connor, he announced he was leaving the Family, and as a result, all his accounts were frozen.Believing his promise to "go straight and start over," I spent five years chained to a sewing machine in a cold, damp basement, my fingers scarred from countless needle pricks.Our son, Luca, dressed in oversized T-shirts from a thrift store, was digging through dumpsters with me for scrap cardboard by the time he was three.But then I discovered that my supposedly broke husband, the man I thought was earning an honest living, had taken his place as the Don of the Connor family.This time, something inside me broke for good. In one month, I would be gone from his world completely.On Luca's fifth birthday, a torrential downpour soaked the city. I had just pulled an all-nighter to finish a rush order.Drenched to the bone, we stood at the gates of a sprawling private estate, clutching a newly finished sample tuxedo.This was an urgent job, and the pay was enough to co

On the evening of the seventh day, Santino returned.The lock turned, and he entered, bringing with him the chill of the late night and the faint, expensive scent of perfume.He didn't even look at me. While unfastening his cufflinks, he spoke coldly, "Get Luca dressed. I'm taking him out."I froze, the needle in my hand nearly piercing my fingertip.He had made it clear that for his own safety, Luca was never to be exposed to the world of the Family.Why the sudden change of heart?"Tomorrow," I said, instinctively blocking the door to Luca's room. "It's too late tonight. He's still getting over that bad cough."Santino's expression darkened. His mask of patience slipped, and for a moment, I saw the ruthless Don beneath.Just as his temper was about to snap, a knock came at the door. It was our landlady, Mrs. Russo.Santino frowned, the annoyance of being disturbed making him look like a caged lion. "So late. What is it?"Not wanting him to know my plans, I spoke first. "I'm thinking

Luca, wincing with each wheezing breath, raised his small hand and clumsily wiped away my tears. "Don't cry, Mommy. It... it doesn't hurt as much anymore. I don't blame Papa. Maybe I'm just not strong enough."His maturity was a blade twisting in my heart.I took a deep breath, forced myself to sit up, and said, word by word, "Luca, listen to me. We don't need Papa anymore."Luca froze, his eyes wide above the oxygen mask.My eyes were resolute. "As soon as the review period is over, we're leaving.""Where are we going?""To a place with no Connor Family, no lies, and no pain."Luca nodded forcefully. "Okay! As long as I'm with Mommy, I'll go anywhere."Just as he finished speaking, the door to the room was thrown open.The loud noise made Luca flinch, and he broke into another fit of harsh coughing.Santino stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on us. "Leaving?""And where do you think you can run with my son?"The moment Luca saw Santino, he scrambled into my arms in terror."Don't co

So he knew.He knew exactly how pathetically I had loved him for five years, how I'd believed his lies like a fool, how I'd endured humiliation just for the dream of a normal life.And because he knew, he dared to trample on my dignity so recklessly.But you're wrong, Santino.This time, it's not a tantrum.Once a heart is truly dead, there are no second chances. And I will make sure you never find us again.The day Luca was discharged, the sky was a dreary gray. In just two weeks, my baby had been hospitalized twice.I used the last of my money to hire a car, intending to take Luca back to that moldy basement to pack our things."Mommy, when are we leaving this place?" Luca looked up, his small face full of hope.I ruffled his soft, curly hair. "Soon, Luca. As soon as Mommy mails the last documents to the council of elders, we'll—"Before I could finish, a black van shot out from a quiet side street and slammed into the front of our car.The deafening crash left my head spinning.Befo

"Mommy," Luca hugged his small backpack, curled up in his seat like a frightened little animal. "Where are we going?"I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're going back to Pennsylvania. To Grandma's house.""Grandma?"A flicker of unease crossed Luca's eyes. "Will Grandma like us? Or will she not want us, like Papa did?"The word "Papa" was a fistful of thorns twisting in my gut.When it came to a father's love, I had failed him in a way I could never make right.I pulled Luca into my arms, fighting back tears. "Luca, Grandma isn't like Papa. Trust Mommy. I'm going to give you a better life. No more lies, no more pain."With that, I pulled the cheap, imitation wedding ring from my pocket, the one Santino had given me five years ago.He had bought it from a street stall, but I had treasured it, wearing it for five long years.I rolled down the window. The wind rushed in, whipping my curls into a frenzy.I opened my hand and let the howling wind rip the ring from my