I didn't care what shade of purple Ryder's face was turning as I walked away.

I hadn't gone more than a few steps before my wrist was seized again, the grip so tight it felt like my bones would shatter.

Ryder's distorted face was close to mine. "Emilia, you won't even take my money? Who are you trying to impress?"

"A stranger? After I slept with you for ten years, now I'm a stranger?"

He had grabbed me twice today. If Zayn saw this, Zayn would kill him a dozen times over for it.

Or rather, if Zayn so much as smelled another man on me, I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.

"Mr. Conti, we're broken up. Stop making a scene."

I used all my strength to shake him off. "You wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea."

"And don't say I didn't warn you. My husband is a jealous man."

Ryder paused, then let out a snort of laughter, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over my "bargain-bin" dress.

"Husband? Is your broke-ass husband slinging takeout on some street corner, or is he mopping floors like you?"

He seemed convinced I was either lying out of shame or trying my hardest to provoke him. His anger faded, replaced by a smug, self-satisfied expression.

"Alright, stop with the dramatics."

"In three days, the Five Families are hosting a charity gala in Manhattan. That's the real big leagues."

"The Vettoris will be there. I'll take you, show you what real power looks like."

He looked me up and down, frowning in disgust.

"But not in those rags. Go buy a proper gown. Don't embarrass me."

"You can't be on my arm looking like that."

The Five Families' gala?

Zayn had arranged for the Vettori family to host that gala specifically to celebrate my pregnancy.

"I really don't need that, thank you."

Rejected again, Ryder's last shred of patience vanished.

In his eyes, I was ungrateful, pushing my luck.

"Fine! Just fine!"

"Emilia, you've really grown a backbone, haven't you?"

"After a few years on the streets, you think you're hot shit?"

He abruptly pulled his hand back and yelled to his men behind him.

"If she doesn't want to go, then forget it! Tell Carmela to get her best gown ready!"

"I'll take her that day, and I'll let everyone see who the real woman worthy of standing by my side is!"

I had no desire to argue. Zayn was probably getting impatient.

As I left, I glanced back at Ryder, my eyes filled with pity.

"I hope you still have this much confidence in three days."

Stepping out of the restricted area of the airstrip, the cold air filled my lungs, settling the nausea churning in my stomach.

My mind went back to that rainy night three years ago, at the church doors.

I had stood in my wedding dress, waiting not for vows, but for Ryder's cold announcement.

"Carmela's pregnant. The family doctor says it's a boy."

"Emilia, to get the inheritance, I have to marry the Rossi girl. It's a necessary alliance."

He even had the audacity to grab my hand and swear.

"Just bear with me for a year. As soon as I get the Capo position, I'll divorce her and marry you."

In that moment, my heart died.

If he needed a marriage of convenience, then so would I.

That night, I agreed to my parents' arrangement and boarded the flight to Sicily.

In an ancient, dimly lit church in Palermo, Zayn Vettori, the Godfather who made the entire European mafia tremble, knelt on one knee before me.

We completed a simple wedding ceremony.

A year later, I gave birth to Lucas.

Now, I was pregnant with our second child.

If it wasn't to accompany Zayn back here to clean house, I would never have laid eyes on Ryder again.

And I certainly wouldn't have given him the chance to peacock in front of me like a fool.

Three days later, I arrived at the venue wearing the black velvet gown Zayn had personally chosen for me.

The skirt had no elaborate decorations, but its cut perfectly complemented my pregnant figure.

Ryder spotted me immediately.

His eyes lit up for a moment, probably assuming, in his self-important way, that I had finally given in.

"I knew you'd come around."

He strode over, examining me like one of his possessions.

"But Emilia, if you want to be on my arm, you need to show some sincerity. You're still dressed so plainly, with no jewelry. It's not fit for a Conti's woman."

"Since you're here, just follow me quietly and don't wander off."

I didn't even bother to give him a glance. I sidestepped him and walked directly toward the main table at the front of the ballroom.

A single seat was empty there, next to Zayn's exclusive wine glass.

"Stop!" Ryder, infuriated by my dismissal, snapped. "I'm talking to you! Our seats are over there, in the corner. Where the hell do you think you're going?"

I took another step forward. "That's your seat. My seat is over there."

I lifted my chin, pointing to the very center of the room.

Ryder followed my gaze, and his face instantly turned ugly.

"That's the Vettori family's head table! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

The commotion was loud enough to draw the attention of the surrounding guests.

Before I could shake him off, a shrill shout pierced the elegant violin music.

"Emilia! How did you get in here?!"

Carmela, squeezed into a gaudy, sequined red dress, marched over, spoiling for a fight.

She pointed at the ring on my hand. "How did a cheap whore like this get in? And she still dares to parade around wearing that fake?"

Countless eyes focused on me.

Carmela reveled in the attention, her voice growing even louder.

"Everyone, look! The ring on this woman's hand, isn't it a copy of the Vettori family's 'Fleur-de-lis Blood Ring'?"

"Tonight is Don Zayn's first public appearance with his Donna, and this bitch has the nerve to wear a fake and insult the real one?"

"Security! Where the hell is security? How did this trash get in here?"

"Is she here to sell herself? Trying to land a sugar daddy?"

Ryder's face was chalk-white. He yanked his hand away from me and even took a step back, quickly adjusting his cuffs.

He spoke coldly to the curious onlookers. "I don't know her."

"Did you hear that? Ryder doesn't even want to acknowledge a disgrace like you!" Seeing Ryder's reaction, Carmela grew bolder.

"Take that fake ring off and get the hell out of here!"

"Are you sure you want to kick me out?" I asked, a half-smile on my face.

My attitude startled Carmela, and her confidence wavered for a split second. "Stop pretending! Take that piece of trash off!"

With that, she lunged for my ring.

I tried to step aside to avoid her.

But I forgot I was wearing heels, and being pregnant made me less agile.

Someone's foot shot out, tripping me hard.

I lost my balance and fell heavily to the floor.

Before I could react, a sharp stiletto heel ground into my left hand.

A searing pain shot through me.

Carmela smiled, grinding her heel into my fingers and the ring.

"That's what you get for wearing a fake! For putting on an act!"

"Since you were shameless enough to follow us here, consider this ring your admission fee!"

My hand was a bloody mess. Blood stained the pigeon's blood ruby and seeped into the plush carpet.

People around us started to stir, wanting to break it up.

I cradled my stomach. For the sake of the child inside me, I endured the excruciating pain and tried to state my identity.

"Stop! I'm Zayn's..."

SMACK! A loud slap cut me off.

"Shut up! Are you going to start rumors that you're Zayn's mistress now? As if you're worthy!"

My face burned, and I could taste blood at the corner of my mouth.

I had no intention of fighting a crazy woman in a place like this. There was no need.

Zayn would have her hands and feet broken, inch by inch.

Ryder finally reacted, rushing over and kneeling down, calling for her to stop.

"Emilia, have you had enough?" He looked at my bleeding hand, a flicker of something in his eyes.

"You wore a fake ring and dressed like this just to get humiliated in front of me. You're trying to win me back with this pathetic stunt, aren't you?"

"Fine. If you beg me right now, I'll agree to take you back."

I endured the pain, looked at his foolish expression, and smiled.

"Ryder, you're finished."

"Not just you. The entire Conti family, and the Rossis, you're all finished."

Ryder's brow furrowed, and he opened his mouth to lash out.

The grand doors of the ballroom were thrown open from the outside.

The once-noisy hall fell completely silent.

Zayn Vettori, dressed in a black custom-tailored suit and holding our son, Lucas, in his arms, strode in.

Ryder's face changed. He scrambled to pull me up from the floor and hide me behind him.

"Shit, Zayn's here! You better not make a scene!"

"As long as you don't cause any more trouble for Carmela, I can give you a chance. Your genes aren't bad, after all..."

Before he could finish, Lucas, secure in Zayn's arms, struggled to be let down.

The moment the little boy's feet hit the floor, he took off on his short legs, running straight toward me.

He dropped to his knees beside me, his clear, child-like voice choked with tears as he cried out, "Mama!"

Zayn's gaze followed his son, landing on me, a disheveled mess in the corner.

He took in the slap mark on my face, my bloodied, crushed hand.

Ryder was completely frozen.

He pointed at Luca, his voice trembling.

"Am I hearing things? The boy... just called her... Mama?"