Chapter 1

My Don husband, just to indulge his little mistress's fantasy of playing Don's wife, pretended to have lost his memory at sea and tried to push me out of the family.

By chance, I overheard his mistress teasing him:

"Can I borrow Don's wife for a few days? And… Can I borrow the Don too?"

My husband, all smiles and indulgence, replied,

"Of course. Both are yours for a few days."

I froze for a moment, then turned away, pretending it did not bother me.

The next day, at the family meeting, he announced that his mistress was then his wife, ordered me out of the family business, and demanded I hand over every ounce of authority I held.

The elders all turned to me, silently hoping I would defy his ridiculous decree.

I said nothing. I handed over the keys and authority without a word.

However, he did not know that our next arms deal was just nine days away, and the other party was Amestia's most powerful mafia, the Romano family. They dealt with no one but me.

Chapter 1

"You're free to go, but first, you need to erase every contact related to our business partners and family members from your phone. Those are the family's assets, and you've got no right to take them with you."

No sooner had I walked out of the office than Rosa Lombardi, my husband's darling, blocked my path.

Years of running the family business taught me there was no such policy. She was gunning for me.

I spun around to face my husband, the formidable Don Sebastian Ricci. "Is this what you want as well?"

Sebastian's eyes were ice as he looked at me, his voice just as frigid. "Yes."

Deleting those contacts would devastate the family business, possibly knocking us off our pedestal among the elite Italor families.

He thought he had me pegged, sure I would never leave for real, not when it meant letting the family take a hit.

We were five years into our marriage, a union that weathered enough storms to delay any thoughts of children.

He knew how I felt about the family; it was like my child, and I could not stand to see it hurt.

Day in, day out, I was in the trenches with arms dealers and drug lords, risking my neck to build a fortress for our empire.

Just days ago, at the family council, he had the gall to suggest bumping Rosa up to family Consigliere.

The family hung on Don Ricci's every word, and the elders were all too quick to sing Rosa's praises, ready to rubber-stamp her promotion.

However, I knew better. Rosa was all show and no substance, nowhere near ready to become the family Consigliere.

For the first time, I did not care about saving face for Sebastian. I stood my ground and used my veto.

He knew full well I would not stand for his shenanigans in the family.

That was why he cooked up that whole sea-dive drama, claiming he lost his memory, all to get Rosa in the driver's seat.

To get me to bend, he trotted out the oldest trick in the book.

The company's elders, watching us lock horns, stood their ground and tried to smooth things over: "Take a breath, will you? Don's just under the weather. As his wife, you oughta be his rock, not blocking his every move."

Sebastian's lips twitched into a smirk, but he played it straight. "My wife calls the shots. Cross her in this family, and you'll answer to me."

With that, he slapped his gun down on the table. The elders, taken aback at first, then chuckled and closed in around me. "Elena, Don's still head over heels for you. He's just got a short-circuit in the memory department, mistook someone else for you, that's all," they said.

Their looks, some envious, some ribbing, did not coax a smile from me.

The truth was the complete opposite. Sebastian and I had been through thick and thin over the years, usually as tight as could be. However, whenever trouble brewed, he expected me to back down without a second thought for my feelings. He always pitted me against him, no matter the place or the reason. We had more blow-ups than I could count.

Still, he insisted I was his wife, the family's backbone, his nearest and dearest, and that I should always have had his back, even if we were at odds. At home, we patched things up like nothing had happened. However, with outsiders, once the bridge was burned, there was no rebuilding it.

At first, his words cut deep, leaving me feeling raw and uneasy. However, after hearing them over and over, they started to make a twisted kind of sense.

Today, though, I watched him toss aside all restraint for his Rosa, his moonlit dream, and dive headlong into obsession.

The shock hit me like a slap, freezing me in place. Then, out of nowhere, Rosa shoved me, sending me sprawling to the ground without a chance to brace myself.

"Did I make the mistake of treating you too kindly, Elena? You think you can steal Sebastian from me? He's clearly my man, my Don, and I'm his wife. Spin one more tale about us, and you'll regret it," she spat, standing by Sebastian's side as if I were the homewrecker.

Sebastian just watched, his face a mask of nothingness, as if he could not care less, silently backing up Rosa.

Staring into Sebastian's icy eyes, I scoffed at myself and said, "Alright, I'll delete it right now!"

I pulled out my phone and announced my departure from the family business on Instagram. I was about to shut down my work profile when I heard him say:

"You're one of the old guards in this company. I trust you. You know what matters. Just go."

Sebastian watched me with a poker face as I tapped on my phone, and he realized I was not bluffing, so he spoke up, a hint of panic in his voice.

Rosa piped up then, "Don, doesn't my word mean anything?"

Sebastian, who usually spoiled Rosa rotten, shot her a look that could freeze lava, signaling her to zip it.

He then signaled to a bodyguard, who brought over a check for $100,000.

With a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, Sebastian handed me the check, making a promise. "Elena, you may have stepped away from the family business, but your dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. You'll get what's rightfully yours, just give me a little time."

Chapter 2

"As for leaving the company, there'll be compensation. Go home, take it easy, maybe a little vacation. In 10 days, I promise you'll have an answer you're happy with."

He thought he played the amnesia card close to his chest, planning to use it in 10 days to silence me, offer an apology, bend a little, and we would be back to square one.

However, in 9 days, his antics were about to blow a 5 billion deal with the Romano family right out of the water.

I had the contract nearly in the bag, just one final step to go. That signature in 9 days would shape the Ricci family's future for decades, potentially crowning us the top mafia family of Italor's underworld.

A breach meant more than just coughing up a fortune in penalties; it put us on the brink of ruin.

Once, for the family's sake and my steadfast love for him, I would have put his interests first, braving every danger and heartache alone.

However, this time, it was not just exhaustion I felt, it was a deep, piercing cold.

I was done with him and the company.

In that moment, Sebastian reached out to touch my hair, then, remembering his act, he retracted his hand with an embarrassed chuckle.

I grabbed my phone off the table and firmly wiped [My Favorite Sebastian] from it.

Glancing at the 100,000 lying there, I told Sebastian in a calm, even tone, "Sebastian, I want a divorce."

Shock painted his face. "I won't agree!

"Why divorce when everything's fine?"

The moment he finished speaking, he realized he might have jumped the gun and quickly backpedaled, "Divorce? What are you even talking about?

"Rosa's my wife. What kind of marriage do we have that we could divorce from?"

I watched him ramble and could not help but feel the absurdity of it all. It was like a joke too big for the world to hold.

I let out a laugh I could not hold back.

Arguing with him felt pointless, like trying to wake someone who's faking sleep.

I did not want to waste my breath on a pointless debate, so I played along with his wild story.

"Yeah, right, I tricked you into going to church. Let's just go and get this divorce over with."

Rosa's grin was too big to hide, her teeth shining as she said, "If we knew it would end like this, why even start? Let's just get it done with."

Sebastian's face was a storm cloud, too caught up to catch the slip in my words. He clutched his forehead, feigning a migraine, "My head's killing me, something's off. Let me sort it out, and we'll talk later."

Rosa latched onto Sebastian's arm, batting her eyelashes, "Honey, Don Ricci, I'm your one true love. How could you think of marrying someone else in a church?"

Pressed by both Rosa and me, Sebastian had no choice but to play along.

Soon, we were at the church doors. Sebastian pretended to be struck by a headache and doubled over. I was wondering what his game was when I felt a tug on my sleeve.

Looking down, I saw Sebastian's eyes, clouded with fake confusion, "Have we been here before? This feels so familiar."

He got to his feet, suddenly bursting with feigned excitement, "Elena, now I remember! We came here together that year. It was my birthday, and there was this long line of happy couples, just like us, waiting to get married."

He knew that was the happiest day of my life.

Up until now, he was still playing on my heartstrings, convinced that just by bringing up 'that day,' I would never have the heart to leave him.

Before, whenever he screwed up, he would skate by on the coattails of our so-called happy memories.

However, not this time. I caught him red-handed, plotting to fake amnesia to trick me, and I overheard Sebastian spill the beans about the so-called blissful marriage I was so proud of, which was nothing more than a house of cards.

"Her love, it's suffocating," he said.

"Marrying's marrying, but with her, I get more bang for my buck.

"She's out there hustling, and I'm kicking back at home with a cigar, having a little fun on the side.

"She's got chops, and she's a real sweetheart, clueless and bends over backward for me. Marrying her? All pros, no cons."

Their words hit me like a ton of bricks, praise laced with scorn, sending a chill through my heart and weighing down my legs like they were made of lead.

Chapter 3

The love I thought we had was a joke.

It made sense then why he hoarded all the money and power as soon as our family business picked up, never letting me get close. He was guarding against me all along.

Lost in the past, Sebastian stood and clapped me on the shoulder, "Anything coming back to you?"

I shook my head, playing dumb, "Nope, maybe you knocked something loose when you took that dive. Got your wires crossed."

Sebastian's grin froze, awkward as hell. Despite his brown-nosing, I was not biting, and his face clouded over.

He grabbed Rosa's hand, stroking it, "Yeah, I must be mixed up. Rosa's my wife.

"After we wrap up this divorce, I'm putting a ring on it."

He walked her down the church aisle, and to any Joe Blow, it looked like they were the ones tying the knot.

I had no interest in playing their games, so I just walked right in.

Sebastian wrapped his arms around Rosa, pulling her onto his lap and teasing her with a piece of chocolate he fished out of his pocket.

I could not have cared less.

Sebastian, annoyed by my lack of reaction, doubled down on making a scene with Rosa.

When I finally left the church, the once-dull sunlight seemed to sparkle. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight that was crushing my chest start to lift.

I was trying to catch a cab home to gather my things when Rosa, overhearing that I was headed to our old place, went on the attack: "Where do you think you're going? You're divorced, that's not your home anymore.

"Pack your stuff and then get out, pronto."

Sebastian just watched, his face a mask of indifference.

He wrapped his arm around Rosa, pulling her close and cooing, "Yeah, throw the stranger out. You're my wife, and you're the only one who gets to stay."

I said flatly, "I'm moving out now."

I booked a hotel online as soon as I left the church. Back at the house, I started throwing my things into my suitcase.

I was done with his pretend amnesia act; my heart was no longer in Sebastian's grip.

In a rare moment of gentleness, he looked at our wedding photo and feigned a flicker of memory. "Elena, is that us in the picture? When did we take that?"

I kept my eyes on my task, packing my clothes without a glance his way, and said without a hint of warmth, "It's fake, an AI creation."

That was it. I pushed him over the edge.

Sebastian's face twisted in rage as he bellowed, "Out! Get out now!"

The door slammed shut behind me.

I let out a wry chuckle, picked up a stray garment from the floor, and tucked it into my suitcase.

In the dimly lit room of the grand villa, Rosa's voice trembled with a mix of urgency and regret. "Don, this is all my fault. I've put you in such a tough spot. Maybe I should just hand the title of Mrs. back to Ms. DeLuca?"

Her eyes welled up with tears as she confessed, "I'm filled with regret seeing that she's really gone through with the divorce."

Sebastian watched Rosa's struggle to hold back her tears, took a deep breath to steady himself, and offered her a comforting embrace. "This isn't on you. Elena's just too damn jealous, not even listening to her own Don."

He pulled back, looking into her eyes with resolve. "Forget about her. How do you want to spend these next ten days? Let's make them count, live it up, and we'll deal with the fallout later.

"Elena's got nowhere to turn. A few sweet nothings from me, and she'll come crawling back."

However, as I hoisted my small suitcase into the taxi that would take me to the hotel, I knew he was wrong. I was really leaving this time, no looking back.

Those past few days, free from Sebastian and the family's shadow, I have felt a joy like never before.

If only I could shake off the last threads tying me to the capos of our so-called 'family company.'

"Just come back to the family company, will you? The deal with Romano is coming up," they would say.

I was about to decline when a heated argument erupted on the other end of the line. When the commotion settled, Rosa's haughty voice sneered through the receiver, "Elena, you've been ousted from the family business, so keep your nose out of it."

The capos, hearing her brazen words, were livid. They retorted, "Cut the crap, Rosa. Don't you get it? This arms deal is do or die for all of us."

Chapter 4

Rosa scoffed, her face twisted with scorn. "What's the big deal? It's just an arms trade. We don't need her. I can handle it just fine on my own."

The capos' voices were tinged with panic once more: "This is madness. The Romano have always done business with people, not their last names. You're just fooling yourself.

"Where's Don? Hurry, we need to find Don!"

Then Rosa's voice, laced with anxiety, echoed again. "Don's got a headache and is resting. You're ignoring his illness, burdening him with family troubles. I swear, I'll throw you all out of the family if you don't stop."

The line went dead with a buzz.

I knew how this would end. If I, the Don's wife who weathered storms of violence, could be ousted by Don and his mistress, what chance would they have?

They were powerless, forced to bite their tongues.

I could not help but laugh, a deep joy bubbling up, bringing with it a lightness I had never felt before. I was done with the family business.

So, I found myself on a plane to the Malvara Isles.

Days spent swimming in the ocean, soaking up the sun, I let go of all my weariness, relishing in the peace.

Nine days after I left it all behind, I slipped into the bridesmaid dress my best friend sent over for her wedding. As I made my way to the chapel, I texted her: [Left the bouquet in the car, but I've got it now and I'm heading in to hand it over.]

I just pocketed my phone when a voice, both familiar and pretentious, rang out: "Welcome, everyone, to the wedding of Sebastian and me."

I turned to see Sebastian, sharp in a tailored suit, standing by Rosa in her bridal gown, playing the perfect hosts.

They stood before a rainbow archway, their oversized wedding portraits smiling down.

Catching sight of me, Rosa rose on her toes and planted a kiss on Sebastian. The crowd erupted in whistles and cheers, and Sebastian, a bit sheepish, dabbed at his mouth.

He glanced up without thinking, and our eyes locked in an unexpected standoff.

Sebastian, caught off guard, shoved Rosa aside, his awkwardness bordering on comical.

Rosa's eyes brimmed with tears at the sight. She looked at Sebastian, her eyes filled with hurt, silently accusing him of still having feelings for me.

She thought I was there to wreak havoc. In front of all the guests, she rushed to me, tears streaming down her face, and grasped my hand, her voice breaking.

"Ms. DeLuca, Sebastian, and I are truly in love. Please, let us be. I'm begging you, don't take our love away, okay?"

Sebastian, with a slight smirk, was about to come to her defense when he noticed the bridal bouquet in my hands. Suddenly, he looked as if he was struck by lightning, his expression darkening.

"Elena, are you secretly marrying someone else?

"How could you do this?" He bellowed, his voice filled with accusation.

I knew he had it all wrong, but I was done explaining.

With a blank face, I replied, "Sebastian, we're divorced. I don't owe you any explanations."

Sebastian staggered, his gaze on me one of sheer bewilderment, his earlier pretense gone. In an almost over-the-top display, he acted as if he just snapped back to reality.

He tenderly took my hands, his voice dripping with affection, "Elena, you're still so stunning in a wedding dress. Are you trying to give us another shot?"

As he tried to draw me closer, I pulled away, my voice laced with sarcasm, "Cut the act. I know all about you and Rosa's little amnesia plot. I heard every word."

His face fell as he looked into my icy eye. His energy deflated, no longer feigning innocence, he confessed with a look of utter defeat. "I had my reasons for doing this.

"Rosa is talented, but you never gave her a chance, always putting her down. I had no other choice, that's why I made this desperate move.

"You probably didn't see this coming, but while you were gone, Rosa's been running the family business like a champ. Everyone's totally on board with her."

I could not help but let my sarcastic grin widen. "Running it well, or just good at keeping secrets?

Did you catch wind of today's arms deal with Amestia's leading mafia family, the Romanos?"

Sebastian paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he turned to Rosa.

With a shrug, Rosa said, "Relax, it's no biggie. I've got it all under control. Just sit tight for the good news."

Then, without missing a beat, she threw down the gauntlet. "Ms. DeLuca, you've been booted from the company, so why don't you save yourself the headache?

"You're out of the loop on a lot of things. I've got our point person all lined up, just waiting for the victory lap.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but it looks like I've let you down with my awesomeness once again."

Just as Sebastian's mood brightened and he was about to chime in, a cell phone ring sliced through the tension.

He could not hide his smugness as he glanced at the caller ID and gloated, "That's gotta be the Romano family giving Rosa the thumbs up. Maybe it's time you rethink your stance and throw her an apology."

With a confident tap, he answered the call and switched on the speakerphone.

A voice, barely containing its fury, blasted from the phone.