My Husband's Stand‑in Awoke the Monster in Me

Giordano's face darkened. "Stop spouting nonsense. My wife is only Carina."

Fabiano sneered. "Do you think you deserve to be my mother?"

I forced a bitter smile, feeling my strength seep away as my body trembled.

Carina chuckled lightly upon hearing my words. "Giordano got to the position of Underboss on his own. Arianna, stop glorifying yourself. Do you really think you're that remarkable?"

On his own?

Giordano couldn't even handle a gun properly. How dare he say he got here all on his own?

If not for my affection and the doors I opened for him in Cyclone, he wouldn't have made it past anyone's notice with his pathetic skills.

I had assigned him crucial but low-risk tasks, allowing him to climb the ranks quietly, and within just a few years, he had become Underboss.

Of course, I didn't give him real control. The task of smuggling weapons and managing an mafia family was far beyond him.

Giordano's expression darkened. "I thought your love for me was just too much, but now it looks like you've lost your mind."

The guests started murmuring in agreement.

"Yeah, she's lost her mind. Besides, it's always been Mrs. Pellegrini by Mr. Pellegrini's side all these years. Who does she think she is?"

Giordano lifted his chin, looking down at me with disdain. "I had intended to let you leave with some dignity, but since you're so ungrateful and even dare to slander me…"

He lifted a hand, and his men rushed in at once. "Trespassing comes with consequences. Bring the whip."

They grabbed me roughly and shoved me to my knees. No matter how hard I fought, it was useless. I clenched my teeth and met his eyes. "You'll regret this."

"You dare talk back to me?"

Giordano's expression hardened. Fabiano kicked me in the side without hesitation.

Carina covered her mouth and laughed softly. "How about this? Apologize to me on your knees, and I'll convince them to show a little mercy."

I spat, "Never!"

Carina immediately broke into sobs and buried herself in Giordano's embrace.

He murmured comforting words to her, but when he looked at me, all that remained in his eyes was cold indifference.

"Give her 100 lashes, not a single one less. One million dollars to whoever makes her cry."

The crowd burst into cheers, and my heart sank straight to the bottom.

I gasped for breath and glared at them. "Let me go. What you're doing is illegal."

They sneered and closed in.

I had no choice but to reveal my identity.

"I am the Donna," I shouted. "If you harm me, my Soldati will make sure none of you leave here alive."

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Giordano looked at me with disdain. "I've served under the Don for years and never once heard of him being a woman. How dare you impersonate him, and worse, insult his name? I'll punish you as if I were carrying out his will."

I went pale as paper, summoning every ounce of strength to shove him away. I tore open my collar, revealing the massive tattoo on my chest.

The crowd gasped in unison.

"Could it really be…"

"That tattoo… It's exactly like the one the Don has. Could it always be a Donna? And could she really be the Donna?"

Giordano froze, then looked me over with a sharp sneer. "Arianna, you're not finished, are you? When did you get that tattoo? It wasn't there before."

I gritted my teeth against the pain and snapped back, "How do you know whether I had it before? Did you see it? It has nothing to do with you!"

His eyes turned icy, and he pressed his lips into a thin line. The room fell into a tense, suffocating silence.

Just then, Carina yanked off her dress, revealing a tattoo on her chest that was exactly like mine.