The Madre Strikes Back

Upon returning home, I yanked open the door to the wardrobe and pulled out the bottle-cap ring I had hidden in a secret compartment.

Back then, Domenico was only 23 years old. Just as he began to rise within the famiglia, jealous rivals drugged him, and the only antidote was a woman's touch in bed.

Afterward, Domenico cradled me in his arms. Tears ran down his face silently as he murmured again and again, "I'm sorry. I'll give you everything you deserve."

He had nothing at the time—no influence, no fortune—just a true heart and a ring fashioned from a bottle cap. Still, he promised he would make me the happiest bride alive.

I wore that ring for three years, fighting side by side with Domenico through countless battles, until he finally claimed his place as the Don.

The door creaked open, pulling me back to the present. I turned to see Domenico striding toward me.

When he saw the dried blood on my forehead and the bottle-cap ring in my hand, his expression shifted from anger to pain, guilt, and regret.

He pulled me gently into his arms and said, "I'll take you to the hospital."

I pushed him away and repeated, "Domenico, we're getting divorced."

He looked at me with the patience of a man dealing with a stubborn child.

Closing the distance between us, he held my shoulders as he met my gaze. "Val, Lorita and I only have a professional relationship. Don't misunderstand us," he coaxed. "You are my wife, the only bride I will ever have. Trust me—I'm only trying to help her survive in the famiglia."

His words brought back memories of our hardships, the countless battles we fought together, and the unbreakable trust we forged through it all.

Domenico made me the Madre and threw a wedding that shook the underworld, turning me into the woman envied by every mafia family.

For a moment, I wavered.

Just as Domenico was about to carry me upstairs, his phone rang. He casually hung up, but the call came in again immediately.

"Take it," I said, fearing it might be something urgent.

The next second, Lorita's sobs came through the phone.

Domenico's face darkened instantly, and a flicker of suspicion appeared in his eyes as he let go of my arm. "Don't worry, I'm coming right now!"