The Mad Donna He Never Really Married

A few days later, it was time for the Valenti family’s grandest event, the Saint’s Festival banquet.

The capos of every major family in the city and Enzo’s mafia allies all gathered in the casino’s main hall.

Accompanied by Sofia, I walked slowly into the glittering, opulent ballroom.

The moment I stepped through the doors, the raucous celebration came to a dead halt.

A mafia boss from the South District sneered through a cloud of cigar smoke. “So this is Enzo’s crazy Solarian trophy?”

Enzo’s voice, unconcerned, drifted over. “Watch your mouth, my friend.”

The boss roared with laughter. “Did I say something wrong?”

“An outsider is an outsider. No matter how rich her family is, they’re just new money from some backwater port. All the designer clothes in the world can’t hide the stink of it.”

“And she’s always wearing that black veil, trying to hide her crazy stare with all that drama.”

Sofia was trembling with rage, her hand moving to her gun, but I placed my hand on hers to stop her.

Clara, in a stunning white couture gown, sauntered over.

“Donna, you’ve finally arrived.”

“There are a lot of steps here. You should take your seat.”

Clara made a show of trying to take my arm. I sidestepped her as if she were a viper.

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Miss Clara. Sofia will help me to my seat.”

I walked straight to the head table and took the high-backed chair next to Enzo, the seat reserved for the Donna of the family.

Clara was left standing, her face a mixture of green and white.

Enzo frowned. “Stella, Clara was trying to help. Why are you putting on airs?”

I replied coolly, “I’m not used to being touched by strangers.”

Enzo’s tone hardened. “She’s not a stranger, she’s my adopted sister! And your sister, too!”

I ignored him and picked up the champagne in front of me.

The boss from the South fanned the flames. “Clara might be a Russo bastard, but at least she’s local. With the Russo family backing her, she has the real claim.”

“Doesn’t even have a marriage certificate, yet she acts like she’s the Valenti Donna.”

I slammed my champagne flute down on the table.

The entire casino hall fell silent.

I raised my hand and tore the black veil from my face. The blank, vacant stare was gone. My sharp, lucid gaze locked onto the face of every person in the room.

The wine glass in Enzo’s hand shattered on the floor, the crimson liquid ruining his custom-tailored suit.

I stared at him, my gaze unwavering. “Thanks to you, my mind is finally clear.”

“What’s wrong, my dear Don? Not happy to see my sanity has returned?”

Enzo swallowed hard, forcing a grotesque smile. “Happy. I’m happy.”

“Stella, your mind is better… why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

I shot back, “If I’d told you sooner, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the show, would I?”

I turned to the South District boss. “What was that you said about me not having a certificate?”

The boss blustered, his voice rising. “What, was I wrong?”

“You’re just a merchant’s daughter from Solaria. What right do you have to the Valenti family trust?”

I turned back to Enzo. “Enzo, since everyone here thinks I’m not qualified…”

“Then let’s settle this now, with all the families as our witness. Bring out the marriage certificate from City Hall. Let everyone see it for themselves.”

Enzo shot to his feet, his face ashen.

“Stella, have you lost your mind? This is the family’s most sacred gathering!”

I stared into his eyes. “I haven’t lost my mind.”

“I just want to know. For three years, I’ve risked my life and spent my fortune to help you build this empire. What exactly is my status here?”

Clara clutched at the hem of Enzo’s suit in panic. “Enzo…”

Instinctively, Enzo pulled her behind him, shielding her completely.

Watching his subconscious, protective gesture, I found the sight repulsive.

Enzo lowered his voice. “She’s in a delicate condition, don’t scare her. We can talk about the marriage certificate in private.”

I raised my voice, shouting, “In private?”

“In private? Like how you use my money to keep her at that villa in Silver Lake?”

“In private, like how the marriage certificate at City Hall is in her name, Clara’s name?!”

The room erupted. The mafia bosses looked at each other, whispering and pointing.

Enraged and humiliated, Enzo raised his hand. The crack of his palm against my face echoed through the hall.

The force of the blow snapped my head to the side. The taste of iron filled my mouth as a trickle of blood ran from my lip.

Enzo pointed at me, roaring, “You crazy bitch!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Clara has a clean reputation. How dare you humiliate her in public like this.”

I held my stinging cheek and wiped the blood from my mouth.

“Enzo Valenti, you’ve got some nerve.”

“That slap severed the last thread between us.”

I turned and walked toward the exit.

Enzo bellowed, “Stop right there!”

“If you walk out that door today, you will never set foot in the Valenti family again!”

I didn’t look back. Sofia stuck close, guarding me.

As I passed Clara, I paused.

She was hiding behind a wall of bodyguards, a smug, triumphant smirk on her lips.

I snatched a glass of red wine from a nearby table and threw it in her face.

The scarlet wine bled across her white couture gown. Clara shrieked, clutching her stomach.

I dropped the glass and strode out of the smoke-filled hall. “Consider it a parting gift.”