Not Your Pet: I'm My Own Queen

Lorenzo was suddenly struck by the idea that I was still in the car. He turned around hastily as he explained, "Renee, don't take this the wrong way.

"I sponsor this orphanage, and the kids here are all orphans. That's just what they call me."

I didn't say anything right away. Instead, I smiled and said, "She resembles you. I'd think she was your daughter if no one told me otherwise. What's your name?"

"Mia," Lorenzo answered on behalf of Mia as she clung to him. She was eyeing me with open hostility.

"She's the one I want to adopt."

I nodded. "She's beautiful. From now on, I'll be her mother."

The moment the words left my mouth, Lorenzo's expression stiffened. But before he could say anything, Mia suddenly burst into tears.

"I have my own mommy! I don't want you to be mine! Daddy, I want my mommy!"

Seeing that Mia was sobbing uncontrollably, Lorenzo shot me a reproachful glance. It was as if he was blaming me for making his daughter cry.

"I'll calm her down," he said before carrying Mia into the classroom without a second glance.

In the end, it was the driver who helped me out of the car and set me down in a wheelchair.

Left alone, I wandered through the orphanage until a hushed conversation from around the corner caught my attention.

"I heard that Mr. Gambino is taking his daughter back. But why would he leave her in an orphanage in the first place?"

"You don't get it. He's got everything planned out. This is the only way he can ensure that Mia can get into the Gambino family.

"Just don't let anything slip in front of Ms. Jones, or you won't even know what hit you."

"Figures. The one he truly cares about is still Ms. Valente. That Renee? She's just some woman his late mother arranged for him.

"How could she ever compare to Kelly, the principessa of the Valente family?"

Their words slammed into me, each one heavier than the last, pressing down on me until I could barely breathe.

I turned my wheelchair as I was unwilling to face them. I intended to take another route, but a familiar voice drifted from a nearby classroom before I could move.

"Is he treating you well?" Lorenzo asked.

"No. You're also the mafia. You know how these mafia men are, don't you? He tried to hit me, so I ran back here with Mia.

"But he still doesn't know about her yet. He won't dare touch us once she's with Gambino Group."

Lorenzo gazed at Kelly with his eyes filled with nothing but tenderness.

"Don't be afraid. That little mafia gang is nothing to worry about. With Gambino Group backing you, no one will dare lay a finger on you two.

"Once we're married, and I have your family's support, I might even be able to take down those arrogant idiots in the South District. I'll take Mia home first. Just hold on a little longer."

Kelly leaned into him, her face glowing with happiness.

Mia ran up to her with a bouquet of lilies. Her voice was bright as she said, "Mommy, you're so pretty! Daddy really loves you, Mommy! I'll get a camera and take a picture of you two!"

She spun around and dashed out of the room—only to crash straight into me.

Panic flickered across Lorenzo's eyes for the briefest second.

"Renee… What are you doing here? This is Kelly, a volunteer at the orphanage. We were just discussing Mia's adoption."

Unlike him, Kelly remained perfectly composed. She picked Mia up effortlessly before waving at me.

"Ms. Jones, we finally meet. I'm Kelly Valente."