The Don's Unforgivable Ward

I settled into the car, a sleeping Leo nestled in my lap.

Marco's gaze flickered to Leo for a second, a question in his eyes, but he kept it to himself.

The car rolled to a stop before the gates of the Moretti estate.

Five years, and nothing had changed. Except tonight, security was thicker than I'd ever seen it.

Sofia stood at the door, a perfect smile plastered on her face, playing the part of the lady of the manor.

She glided toward me, all feigned enthusiasm, but her smile froze the moment she laid eyes on Leo.

"Bella, you're back." She gave me a brief, stiff hug, her perfume thick and overpowering.

Then her eyes fell on Leo.

"A mother? Bella, when did this happen? And you never told me! After five years of being married to... to Vince, you still treat me like an outsider?" Her tone dripped with false intimacy.

I didn't answer.

She ignored Leo's whimpers of protest, prying him from my arms.

Leo was on the verge of tears, his small hands clutching tightly to my clothes.

Inside, Sofia paraded Leo around, moving between the Dons and Capos of allied families.

Her smile was perfectly measured as she introduced us.

"This is Vince's adopted daughter, Isabella, just back from Europe. See, he's so benevolent, even to outsiders."

I stood there like a trophy, a testament to Vince's "benevolence."

A wave of humiliation and rage washed over me, and I escaped to the terrace for some air.

The cold night air did little to cool the fire in my veins, but it was a start.

When I returned, I heard Sofia's voice near the ballroom entrance.

She was speaking in a conspiratorial whisper to the wives of several capos.

"Her? Just some ambitious nobody who'd do anything to climb into Vince's bed. Now that she's been with another man—and has a child to show for it—I trust she's learned her place."

Instantly, every wandering eye in the room sharpened, pinning me in place.

I was the shameless charity case, the social-climbing adopted daughter.

Leo, sensing the unease, clung tightly to my skirt.

I took a deep breath and walked back into the crowd.

Just then, the entire room fell silent, and all eyes turned to the entrance.

"Good evening, Don Moretti."

Vince strode in, flanked by his men.

He moved like a king surveying his domain.

He went straight to Sofia, his gaze softening as he tenderly adjusted her shawl.

He didn't look at me. Not even a single glance.

It was as if I were nothing more than a shadow in the corner, completely invisible to him.

"Vince," Sofia reminded him with a smile, "Bella is here too. And look, she's brought you a surprise."

Vince's gaze finally swept in my direction.

When he saw Leo standing at my side, the first crack appeared in his icy composure.

Undisguised shock.