ella

Moretti estate. I walked down the corridor of the East Wing, my heels clicking rhyth

of stale camphor and suffocating lilies seeped into the hallway. Voices drift

"But a Don without money is just a thug with a gun. It is the Rossi fortune that keeps us

had finally done the math. She didn't care about my heartbr

would be bleeding, and a wounded animal was predictable. He would come

the dutiful banker fo

and lemon polish. Sofia, my loyal maid, was already there, d

oice steady. "Bring m

ousehold expenses. Then, the ring of iron keys that opened the wine cellar, the pantry, and the linen closets. Finally, I picked up t

suite," I ordered, my tone

"To... *Sign

under the management of Miss Diaz. That cash shoul

tanding there. He had heard everything. The air crackled with his silent fury, but I refused to acknowle

stopping in the shadows of the upper landing

d deer in a silk robe that was far too expensive for her.

Cora stammered, her hands t

he frame, his face a mask of thunderous rage. He wasn't looking at C

on. "A *Don's Command*, Cora. You are the mother of my son. This is your

g in her eyes, but she nodd

y chest. He wanted to give her my place? Fine. He

or a marriage that had

a cold, unforgiving light on the mahogany table. I sat at the far end, opposi

of silver against porcelain. Nonna Elena ignore

spooning more minestrone into Leo's bowl

ir. He was a chaotic element in this rigid room,

eo whined, waving hi

whispered, glancing

tent. I was a ghost in my own home, invis

nna insisted, pushing th

a tantrum. He struck the edge o

of steaming, thick red soup cascaded off the table and splashed dire

the scalding liquid soaked instantly in

de me gasp for air. I shoved my chair back, clutching my burni

und was the drip of soup onto the expensive Persian rug an

ld move first, and for whom. The answer, I knew, would deter