The Heir They Denied
When I was three months pregnant, Stella Falcone, the principessa of an allied family, was also carrying another man's child.
To preserve the alliance, my Mafia lover, Matteo Gallo, had to marry her.
"Stella is Don Falcone's only daughter. In our world, alliances are worth more than sentiment."
"Ava will understand."
What Matteo forgot was that I had no one but him, and that the child I carried was the true Gallo heir.
Later, as everyone mocked my unborn child, calling him a bastard who would taint the bloodline, Matteo stood by with his new bride and did nothing.
That was when I learned that in this world of blood and secrets, love was the most worthless currency of all.