na's

dal of the bastard heir wa

teries of its fortune. Now that the godfather himself had a love child splashed across the headlines, the stock

ting of senior leadership. The strategy they produ

he original plan called for me to hold the baby in my arms with Alessandro sta

stylists scrambled to conceal

hall. It was packed with reporters and a for

area in a plain pale dress that ma

alled for a sound check,

. She cried that her chest hurt, and she wailed at the assembled cameras about ho

beside me, abandoned his positio

around her waist, and gathered her agains

ook and demolished the entire PR

n the shot," Al

see you with your wife and child! If the mistress app

oice was low, carrying an oppressi

yes hard as iron,

l smile. And you will show the worl

shield for his sweetheart in f

is mistress, and grind my dignity into

d I finally saw the man beneath th

red recording lights blin

ssessively against his side. She cradled the baby

o the very edge of the

In my own lawful marriage, I was reduc

ng sharp questions, the f

network shoved a microphone t

you truly tolerate all of this? Have you abandoned every last shred

othing remained but the mach

A dangerous aura rolled of

" he said, voice l

sted it on Alessandro'

arely, spine straight,

every word. "I will step aside for Valentina an

hammering at their phones to

, mistaking my cold detachment

nally bowed to the r

w wrapped up

't wait to pull out her phone and post a cozy p

mafia world's gossip

ne was laughing at my downfall, declaring that the legitimate

ocket, notifications flooding

pty rooftop terrace. The cold wind hit my face, a

and dialed a long-bu

n the most dazzling archit

rm had extended its hand to me, inviting me to

ffhandedly that he hated long-distance relationships - and I ha

twice before

ctor's steady voice wa

ition on the coastal restor

ways. When c

flight confirmation f

ours, I'll be on