Liora Z
The contractions tore through me. I called my husband, Maxim Volkov, the ruthless Don of Chicago.
He didn't answer.
I dragged myself out of the penthouse, crawling, and begged a stranger to get me to the Volkov family's private hospital.
"I'm Maxim's wife. Get me a delivery room! He'll pay."
I pleaded with the nurse, my water breaking.
She just stared, shocked. "You? The Donna? Nice try. Don Volkov is already upstairs with his wife. She's in labor."
Wife? Since when did Maxim have a second wife?
Before I could ask, another contraction ripped through me.
Everything went black.
When I woke in the recovery room, the real betrayal hit.
My baby was gone.
All I got was a cold, "The baby wasn't breathing. We couldn't save him. I'm sorry."
I searched the whole hospital, sobbing, and ended up outside the VIP maternity suite on the top floor.
That's when I heard the truth that shattered my soul.
"With the kidney from Seraphina's kid… a perfect match… our son is saved. You can rest now, Isla."
Maxim's voice. So gentle, from behind the door.
His other wife… was my adoptive sister, Isla?
Then I heard my so-called mother's voice, cold. "We had no choice. We took Seraphina in for exactly this reason. It's the least she owes us."
My newborn son. Sacrificed. Used as medicine to save another child.
I stumbled back, ice in my veins.
And there was Isla, victory glowing in her eyes.
"My baby was never sick," she whispered, sweet and venomous. "I just wanted everything you had. Why should a stray like you get the Don's love?"
The tears stopped.
They thought I'd just take it. Give up my place as Donna.
They were wrong.
I picked up my phone and dialed the number I'd refused a hundred times.
My voice was calm.
"Brother. I'm coming home. I'm ready to take my rightful place as head of the Ricci family. And I will marry Dante Romano."