Married to the Don? No, Thanks

I gently nudged Leander toward the door, saying, "Go ahead. Dinah's waiting."

With that, I closed the door, cutting off his scrutinizing gaze. My smile faded as soon as the door closed, replaced by detachment.

I'd stop waiting for him in seven days.

Leander didn't return that night, just as I'd expected. I was still in bed, lost in thought when the door suddenly swung open. But it wasn't Leander who walked in.

Instead, Alina Sorvillo, the Beaumont family's butler, stepped in. "Mrs. Beaumont requests your presence at Beaumont Manor today, along with Ryan."

Marcella Luppi, Leander's mother, had always looked down on me. The household staff followed her lead, treating me with the same disdain.

By the time I arrived at Beaumont Manor, the entire family had already gathered.

Leander, who had been missing all night, now stood beside Dinah, his hand resting on her stomach and his gaze filled with adoration.

Marcella beamed at Dinah's belly, barely sparing a glance for Ryan and me as she declared, "Dinah's pregnant. As promised, Leander will now take over as the don of the Beaumont family.

"Their child will inherit the title of don for both the Beaumont and Fowler families. Soon, we'll also be celebrating Leander and Dinah's wedding."

The Beaumonts' current acting don stepped forward and handed Leander a ruby ring, the family's symbol of the don.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Leander took Dinah's hand and raised their joined hands, the family ring glinting on his finger.

I lifted my head, joining the others in staring at Dinah. It felt like they had forgotten I was the one engaged to Leander.

Leander placed a hand on Dinah's stomach and said, "I'm finally going to be a father."

The joy in his eyes was unmistakable. He'd rarely shown such emotion, not even when Ryan was born. My hands balled into fists.

Ryan's small voice broke the silence. "Mamma, I'm Papà's child too…"

All eyes turned to him at his words.

Marcella frowned at us. "Leander's the mafia don in Westrael now. The Beaumont name would be ruined if rumors got out that he fathered an illegitimate child.

"From now on, Ryan will be known as the housekeeper's child, adopted by our family. Ryan, you're no longer allowed to call Leander 'Papà,' and you're not to call me 'Grandma.' Don't blame me. Blame the Bellini skank who gave birth to you."

Marcella never liked me, and she felt the same way about Ryan. It was her idea to have Leander care for Dinah in exchange for the don title.

Now that Dinah was pregnant, Ryan and I mattered even less.

Leander shifted uncomfortably. "Madre, this isn't right."

He was about to step forward, but Dinah caught his hand. Afraid of hurting her, he stayed put.

I watched, and a sneer curled inside me. I took Ryan's hand and turned to face Marcella. "Fine. From now on, Ryan is no longer a Beaumont."

I crouched in front of Ryan, brushing the tears from his cheeks. "Sweetheart, you can't call Leander 'Papà' anymore. Just 'don,' okay?"

Leander was startled. He knew how desperately I wanted to go home and that I'd only stayed this long to wait for him to acknowledge Ryan as his son. But now, I was giving up on it myself.

He searched my eyes for any trace of sorrow or reluctance but found none.

I hadn't shed a single tear, but Ryan was still too young to understand why he'd suddenly lost his father. His sobs came in ragged gasps, each one twisting my heart even tighter.

I hurried to lead Ryan outside, hoping to find a quiet spot where I could comfort him when Dinah called after me. "Jenny, I heard a sapphire necklace is good for the baby. Leander bought the one you're wearing, and now that I'm a Beaumont, I thought you'd want to know."

She stroked her stomach, her lips curling into a victorious smile.

I didn't look at her. Instead, I kept my eyes on Leander.

That sapphire necklace was a token of our love. He had won it at an auction, spending a small fortune, and gave it to me when he proposed. He said the hue of the stone was as captivating as my eyes.

I accepted his proposal, and he fastened the necklace around my neck. He held me close, whispering, "We'll be together for the rest of our lives."

I knew Dinah had always coveted this necklace. She'd begged Leander for it countless times, but he'd always refused.

Yet now, he avoided my eyes, his gaze flickering with guilt and uncertainty. "Jenny… It's just a necklace…"

"Fine."

I didn't want to hear his excuses. With a sneer, I yanked the necklace off and flung it into his hands.

As I watched him fasten it around Dinah's neck, her expression triumphant, I smiled and gave my blessing.

"Congratulations on your marriage."