Beneath the Roses: A Mafia’s Wife

Isabella's POV

It's been two days since Leonardo and I moved into Giovanni’s house. We are having our breakfast like a normal morning. The front door crashes open with a resounding bang.

The thud of heavy footsteps echoes through the hallway, sending a shiver down my spine. Marco storms in with a few of his men holding shotguns, the tension in the room spiking instantly. His eyes are hard and determined, the atmosphere crackles with confrontation.

“I’m here for Leonardo,” Marco announces. “He’s coming with me. After all, he is the heir of DeLuca.”

“No!” I cry out, my voice breaking. “You can’t take him. You don’t care about him.”

Tears stream down my face as Marco steps forward. Leonardo, sensing my distress, wipes my tears with his tiny hands. “Let’s go, Mama.”

But Marco grabs him, his grip firm. “Mama won’t go with us. She chose to stay apart.”

"No, don’t do this at least. You have everything, Marco." I beg. For the first time, I did.

"You should have thought about this before turning your back on me." He sneers as if I was nothing but a piece of tissue whose emotions don’t matter.

"Why do you need to do this? You could simply stay happy with Sofia." My voice cracks with emotion. Leonardo’s gaze transfers between us, confused and scared.

"And you could simply stay like that in my house." The insult is visible with his smirk.

"Marco, stop it, man. You were supposed to love Isabella. At least respect those feelings." Giovanni thumps on the table. Out of the blue, Marco points a pistol at bro and shoots.

"Broooo-" I realize it was a warning shot.

Marco’s jaw clenches, his gaze fiery and unforgiving. “This isn’t about love. This is about control. And I control my family.” He gestures, and I realize that outside the house is surrounded by Marco's men.

Leonardo’s cries echo through the room as Marco drags him away. I collapse to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Giovanni tries to console me, but it’s no use. “He’s my reason for living,” I wail. “My only reason.”

I look out the window, seeing the cold, determined faces of Marco’s men. Giovanni, though strong, can’t protect me from Marco’s power. I feel utterly helpless, knowing I have no choice but to let him take my son.

Marco pauses at the door, Leonardo still crying in his arms. He looks back at me, his eyes cold. “This is your fault, Isabella. Remember that.”

And then they are gone. The front door slams shut, and I am left alone in the empty house, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Giovanni kneels beside me, holding me as I sob, but there is no comfort in his embrace. I am lost without my son.

Days pass in a blur. I can’t sleep, my heart is shattered. I decide to go to the hospital for help. Unexpectedly, I run into Sofia and Marco. Marco is there to get medicine for Sofia, who has a sprained ankle. While Marco is away, Sofia sees me.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the discarded wife,” Sofia sneers. “How’s life without Marco?”

“You’re nothing but a money-loving bitch,” I snap. “A third wheel. Marco will see your true colors one day.”

Sofia’s eyes flash with anger. “Enjoy your delusions. I’ll make your son’s life hell after I marry Marco.”

"Don't you dare to harm my son," rage surges through me. "Smackkk-" I slap Sofia, the sound echoing in the hallway. Marco returns just in time to see it.

"How dare you?" He strides over and slaps me back, his eyes cold. "Don’t cause trouble, Isabella," he warns. “Stay out of our lives.”

I look at him, my heart breaking all over again. “Just sign the papers, Marco.” He remains silent when I leave without a further word. The insult hurts me more than the slap.

Leaving Bro’s house, I reach my parents’ empty home. Bro is facing trouble due to my chaos. It's tough for me to get my son's custody being only the wife of Marco DeLuca and nothing else. I regret deciding to be a housewife at this moment the most in my life.

The next evening, Marco calls me, in a frantic tone. “Isabella, you have to come back. Leonardo is sick.”

My heart clenches. “What happened?”

“It’s bad,” Marco says, his voice urgent. “You need to see him.”

Without hesitation, I grab my coat and rush. I arrive at his family’s villa, where a family gathering is in full swing. As soon as I step inside, I know something is off.

“Where’s Leonardo?” I demand.

Marco avoids my gaze. “He’s with my mother.”

I push past him, heading for the living room. Marco’s family is there, watching me with cold eyes. His mother steps forward, her face stern.

“Isabella, we need to talk,” she says.

“I don’t care about talking,” I snap. “I want to see my son.”

“He’s not sick,” Marco admits, his voice cold. “I lied to get you here.”

Rage and betrayal surge through me. “You lied about our son’s health?”

“We need to maintain the family’s reputation,” Marco’s mother cuts in. “A divorce would ruin us.”

“I don’t care about your reputation!” I shout. “All I care about is Leonardo.”

The room falls silent, the tension thick in the air. Marco steps closer, his face hard. “You’re not taking him away. He stays with me.”

“I’ll fight you,” I say, my voice shaking with fury. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back.”

Giovanni steps into the room as I messaged him before I came here, his presence commanding. “This is enough,” he says, his voice firm. “Isabella has the right to see her son. If you want a fight, you’ll get one.”

Marco’s eyes narrow. “Are you threatening me?”

“Consider it a promise,” Giovanni replies, his tone icy.

Marco’s family murmurs, clearly unsettled by Giovanni’s words. I feel a flicker of hope, knowing my brother is on my side.

Suddenly, Leonardo’s cries echo from upstairs. I rush towards the sound, my heart pounding. I find him in a small room, tears streaming down his face.

“Mama!” He sobs, reaching out for me.

I scoop him up, holding him close. “I’m here, baby. Mama’s here.”

"First decide, will you stay the way Marco keeps you or not?" Marco's mom blares in the living room when the guests start coming.

"A big no!" I reply and all of them are shocked by my direct answer.