The Throne That Blind Fool Denied

"Julian Argento," I said, my voice dangerously calm as I casually tossed the "Asset Division and Relationship Termination Agreement" onto the table in front of him.

"I am now formally informing you that I no longer want to be the Consigliere, nor do I have any interest in the position of Donna. Since you care so much about Camilla, let her take my place at the engagement ceremony next month."

"How many times do I have to say it?" Julian was thoroughly enraged. He didn't even glance at the agreement, rushing over and grabbing my shoulders.

"I only see Camilla as a sister! The kindness I show her is only because of the debt I owe her father! And you want me to marry her? Are you insane?"

Fury burned in his eyes. "Do you have any idea what giving up the position of Donna means? Are you really going to joke about something like this just to get my attention?"

"Do you really only see her as a sister?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Just then, a figure appeared in the doorway.

Camilla stumbled in, her face etched with panic.

"Julian, it's a disaster! The Russians are opening fire at the docks!"

Julian's expression instantly tightened. He let go of me and threw out one last cold sentence.

"Stay home and reflect on your actions. I'll deal with you when I get back."

With that, he rushed out the door.

I calmly picked up the agreement he had ignored. Then, I looked around the room and murmured to myself, "Home? When have I ever had a home?"

Julian was right about one thing. I did need to reflect—reflect on how I had been so blind for the past ten years.

The next morning, I left the family estate and returned to my childhood home in Queens.

As soon as I walked in, my father, Frank Bishop, came forward, rubbing his hands together. His face, swollen from years of alcoholism, was plastered with a sycophantic smile.

"Marina, how did it go? Did Julian agree to give you the Donna position? I heard the Donna gets an extra allowance every month, and also—"

"No," I cut him off flatly, shattering his fantasy. "And there's no money. I've broken off the engagement with Julian, and I'll probably be moving back in."

The air froze for a second.

The smile on my father's face stiffened, then twisted into an ugly, terrifying snarl.

A loud, heavy slap landed on my face.

"You useless thing!" my father erupted, pointing his finger at my nose. "Your brother lost a fortune gambling, the whole family is counting on you, and you dare to break off the engagement? I'll beat you to death!"

"What a waste," my stepmother, Brenda, chimed in, arms crossed. "Can't even hold on to a man, and now you want to come back and freeload? The nerve!"

My father grew more agitated as he spoke. He grabbed a glass ashtray from the table and hurled it at me with all his might.

I didn't dodge. The ashtray hit my temple, and blood streamed down from my forehead, tinting my vision red.

But I felt no pain. Compared to the wounds already carved into my heart, what was a little physical agony?

I coolly wiped the blood from my face and looked at my so-called father as if he were a stranger.

"Consider this slap and this blood payment for the life you gave me. From this day on, I have nothing to do with this family."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Behind me came my father's vicious curses, accompanied by the loud crash of things being smashed.

"You stubborn fool! If you walk out that door, don't you ever come back! You can just die outside for all I care!"

I dragged my suitcase down the street, an outcast with nowhere to go.

In the end, I found my way to the lawless stretch of land between two boroughs.

There was no law here, no jurisdiction. Only chaos and exiled outcasts.

I rented the cheapest motel room.

Ironically, this was the first place Julian had settled me when he took me from my home ten years ago.

Back then, he had said, "You're an outsider. You'll be ostracized if you live in the core territory. This place is more suitable for you."

I believed him then, and was even grateful. Looking back, I realized he simply thought I wasn't worthy of setting foot on his turf.