The Don's Last Obsession

"No! Dante, you can't do this! Mama, the orphanage director, is relying on that targeted medicine to survive! If you stop it, she'll die!"

I ignored the searing pain in my hand and lunged, clutching his arm. Mama was the only person in this world who had ever truly loved me—I couldn't lose her.

Dante yanked his hand free. After instructing the sanatorium to halt the medication, he turned and walked away, leaving only my despair behind.

I forced my weak body to the family council hall, determined to plead with him again to resume Mama's treatment. But as soon as I entered, I froze.

Alessia was there, once more at the Conti estate, sitting audaciously in the seat to Dante's right—my seat.

That seat had not existed before. Dante had created it especially for me, a recognition of all I had done for the family.

"Bianca, I designed this seat so you could participate in family affairs. I wanted everyone to see how outstanding you are."

Now, another woman occupied it.

Dante noticed me faltering, and his eyes flickered with a mix of frustration and—briefly—concern.

Alessia shot him an annoyed glance, then leaned against his arm, pouting like a child. "Dante, don't be soft. Bianca scared me that day—I was terrified!"

Dante looked at me with a teasing glint. "Hear that? Beg me? Better beg her. If you can make Alessia forgive you, I'll restart the medication."

He leaned back in his chair, waiting.

I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles ached. Hesitating only a moment, I removed the ring that signified my role as the Madre and bowed to hand it to Alessia.

"I'm sorry… I was wrong. I don't want the Madre seat. I only ask that you forgive me."

Alessia looked at the ring, giggled, and wrapped her arms around Dante's neck, planting a kiss on his lips. Then, she spoke, "Are you apologizing, or blaming me? I wouldn't dare take your ring. How about this—crawl on the floor and bark like a dog a few times, then crawl to my feet and kowtow. Then I might forgive you. Deal?"

Dante touched her forehead affectionately and murmured, "You're naughty," implicitly approving.

In that moment, my heart died.

Tears streaming, I humbled myself, crawling on the floor, barking like a dog, then lowering my head at her feet, begging for forgiveness.

Dante finally frowned. "Enough. That's enough."

Alessia's smile faltered, as if she weren't entirely satisfied.

I muttered, "Thank you," and rose to leave.

Dante looked at me, a flicker of confusion in his gaze. Something about me had changed.

But I only thought about Mama, hoping she would be okay. That was all that mattered.

I was wrong.

On the way, the doctor called. Mama's condition had deteriorated rapidly after the medication was stopped. She had just passed away despite the rescue attempts.

I moved through the motions like a ghost, arranging Mama's funeral alone. I carried her ashes to the orphanage.

But what met my eyes was worse than death itself—a raging inferno.