Seven years after getting engaged to Leander Beaumont, he inherits everything that once belonged to his late brother—including his brother's wife, Dinah Fowler.

Every time Leander sleeps with Dinah, he holds me afterward and whispers, "Jenny, just wait a little longer. We can finally have our wedding once Dinah gets pregnant."

It's the only condition the Beaumont family, Westrael’s most powerful mafia clan, sets for Leander to become the next Don.

In just half a year after returning home, Leander visits Dinah's room 59 times. He starts from once a month... to nearly every single day.

Finally, after the 60th time I watch him leave Dinah's room, the "good news" comes. Dinah is pregnant.

And along with it, an announcement—the Beaumont family declares Leander and Dinah are getting married.

"Mamma, is someone getting married?" my young son asks, staring at the house now lavishly decorated by a wedding company.

I quietly gather him into my arms, my voice cold as I say, "Yes, sweetheart. Your father is marrying the woman he loves. It's time for us to leave."

What Leander doesn't know is that the Bellini family, my family, has risen to become a mafia power strong enough to rival the Beaumonts.

And me? I'm Jenny Bellini, the most beloved daughter of the Bellini family. I will never be trapped by marriage again.

I first met Leander Beaumont when he was a capo in the Beaumont family. His brother, Derek Beaumont, was the don.

Derek drew every woman's gaze at mafia family gatherings, each hoping to be the don's chosen one. But it was Leander who caught my attention. He was alone with his drink. I offered my hand, and we shared a dance.

They called me bold and scheming, whispering that I'd sold myself to tie the Bellinis to the powerful Beaumonts. But the truth was, I loved Leander more than anything.

I loved him enough to have his son, Ryan Beaumont, before we married. I loved him enough to endure 60 nights of him sneaking into Dinah Fowler's bed, all to secure his place as the Beaumonts' next don.

It wasn't until I heard about Leander and Dinah's wedding that I realized he hadn't even bothered to hide it from me.

After putting Ryan to bed, I stepped out onto the balcony and pulled out my phone to book an international flight. I stared at the flight details on my screen, my mind blank.

Seven days from now would be Christmas Day—the day I planned to leave was also the anniversary of our engagement.

What a cruel twist of fate. It had all started that day, and now, it would end on the same day.

I had just locked my phone when strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm, broad embrace, heavy with the scent of roses.

Leander held me close, pressing me against the balcony railing. He nipped my earlobe and murmured, "It's chilly out here. What are you doing?"

I glanced at my phone—now dark—and replied flatly, "Just looking at the stars."

I'd always loved stargazing. Back home, shooting stars were a frequent sight.

Leander had once promised we'd watch them together every night, but since Dinah came into the picture, he'd long forgotten that foolish promise.

He always reeked of Dinah's rose perfume.

I squirmed out of his embrace, feeling uncomfortable. "Go take a shower before you say anything else to me."

Leander finally noticed the lingering scent and pulled away, embarrassed. "Jenny, I know I've been neglecting you, and I'm sorry for that. But you must understand that everything I do is for your and Ryan's future."

What a joke.

Leander was only after power for himself, yet he had the audacity to pretend it was for me and Ryan.

After his shower, Leander didn't bother to get dressed. He only wore a towel, loosely hanging around his waist.

Once, his broad shoulders, toned torso, and muscles leading downward had driven me wild—now, the sight of him disgusted me. The fresh, red scratches along his waist were a reminder of their earlier passion.

Leander noticed my gaze lingering on his waist. He smirked and leaned in, pinning me beneath him. "Today, I'm all yours, Jen. I won't leave you."

His tone was the same, but the man before me wasn't the Leander who had once adored me. My hands balled into fists as I fought the urge to shove him away.

Just then, a knock at the door interrupted him while he kissed my neck. "Capo Beaumont, Ms. Fowler is unwell. You should check on her."

Leander pulled away abruptly, alarm flashing in his eyes as he hurried off. His voice was laced with worry as he said, "How could you let this happen to Dinah? Get the family doctor, now! If anything happens to her, I'll hold you all accountable!"

He was almost out the door when he seemed to remember I was still there. He turned back and flashed an apologetic glance at me. "Dinah's sick. I need to go. I promised Derek I'd take good care of her."

I held Leander's gaze for a long moment before speaking softly. "Leander."

His brow furrowed in response.

In the past, I'd seethed with anger and jealousy every time he slipped away at night. He'd always brush me off with empty words, and today was no different. He started to do the same, but I cut him off.

I draped a coat over his shoulders, smoothing his disheveled hair. "You're about to become the don of the Beaumonts. You should at least look the part."

I made it easy for him to walk away guilt-free, to find Dinah, and leave me behind without a second thought.

Leander assumed I'd wait for him, like I always had. But this time, he was wrong.

I gently nudged Leander toward the door, saying, "Go ahead. Dinah's waiting."

With that, I closed the door, cutting off his scrutinizing gaze. My smile faded as soon as the door closed, replaced by detachment.

I'd stop waiting for him in seven days.

Leander didn't return that night, just as I'd expected. I was still in bed, lost in thought when the door suddenly swung open. But it wasn't Leander who walked in.

Instead, Alina Sorvillo, the Beaumont family's butler, stepped in. "Mrs. Beaumont requests your presence at Beaumont Manor today, along with Ryan."

Marcella Luppi, Leander's mother, had always looked down on me. The household staff followed her lead, treating me with the same disdain.

By the time I arrived at Beaumont Manor, the entire family had already gathered.

Leander, who had been missing all night, now stood beside Dinah, his hand resting on her stomach and his gaze filled with adoration.

Marcella beamed at Dinah's belly, barely sparing a glance for Ryan and me as she declared, "Dinah's pregnant. As promised, Leander will now take over as the don of the Beaumont family.

"Their child will inherit the title of don for both the Beaumont and Fowler families. Soon, we'll also be celebrating Leander and Dinah's wedding."

The Beaumonts' current acting don stepped forward and handed Leander a ruby ring, the family's symbol of the don.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Leander took Dinah's hand and raised their joined hands, the family ring glinting on his finger.

I lifted my head, joining the others in staring at Dinah. It felt like they had forgotten I was the one engaged to Leander.

Leander placed a hand on Dinah's stomach and said, "I'm finally going to be a father."

The joy in his eyes was unmistakable. He'd rarely shown such emotion, not even when Ryan was born. My hands balled into fists.

Ryan's small voice broke the silence. "Mamma, I'm Papà's child too…"

All eyes turned to him at his words.

Marcella frowned at us. "Leander's the mafia don in Westrael now. The Beaumont name would be ruined if rumors got out that he fathered an illegitimate child.

"From now on, Ryan will be known as the housekeeper's child, adopted by our family. Ryan, you're no longer allowed to call Leander 'Papà,' and you're not to call me 'Grandma.' Don't blame me. Blame the Bellini skank who gave birth to you."

Marcella never liked me, and she felt the same way about Ryan. It was her idea to have Leander care for Dinah in exchange for the don title.

Now that Dinah was pregnant, Ryan and I mattered even less.

Leander shifted uncomfortably. "Madre, this isn't right."

He was about to step forward, but Dinah caught his hand. Afraid of hurting her, he stayed put.

I watched, and a sneer curled inside me. I took Ryan's hand and turned to face Marcella. "Fine. From now on, Ryan is no longer a Beaumont."

I crouched in front of Ryan, brushing the tears from his cheeks. "Sweetheart, you can't call Leander 'Papà' anymore. Just 'don,' okay?"

Leander was startled. He knew how desperately I wanted to go home and that I'd only stayed this long to wait for him to acknowledge Ryan as his son. But now, I was giving up on it myself.

He searched my eyes for any trace of sorrow or reluctance but found none.

I hadn't shed a single tear, but Ryan was still too young to understand why he'd suddenly lost his father. His sobs came in ragged gasps, each one twisting my heart even tighter.

I hurried to lead Ryan outside, hoping to find a quiet spot where I could comfort him when Dinah called after me. "Jenny, I heard a sapphire necklace is good for the baby. Leander bought the one you're wearing, and now that I'm a Beaumont, I thought you'd want to know."

She stroked her stomach, her lips curling into a victorious smile.

I didn't look at her. Instead, I kept my eyes on Leander.

That sapphire necklace was a token of our love. He had won it at an auction, spending a small fortune, and gave it to me when he proposed. He said the hue of the stone was as captivating as my eyes.

I accepted his proposal, and he fastened the necklace around my neck. He held me close, whispering, "We'll be together for the rest of our lives."

I knew Dinah had always coveted this necklace. She'd begged Leander for it countless times, but he'd always refused.

Yet now, he avoided my eyes, his gaze flickering with guilt and uncertainty. "Jenny… It's just a necklace…"

"Fine."

I didn't want to hear his excuses. With a sneer, I yanked the necklace off and flung it into his hands.

As I watched him fasten it around Dinah's neck, her expression triumphant, I smiled and gave my blessing.

"Congratulations on your marriage."

I left the banquet hall and led Ryan down the bustling shopping street, hoping to get him some ice cream. He stopped crying as he ate.

I ruffled his hair, which was brown, just like Leander's.

"What do you think about going abroad, sweetheart?" I asked.

Ryan looked up at me, his voice barely a whisper. "What about Papà?"

He was only a child, forgetting things as fast as they came.

I gently wiped the ice cream from the corner of his mouth. "He'll stay here as the don, and from now on, that's what you'll call him. He's not your Papà anymore."

Ryan lowered his head, tears streaming down his cheeks once more. I could tell he couldn't stand the thought of leaving Leander—no one could easily accept being abandoned by their father.

I hesitated, unsure whether I should plead with Leander to let Ryan stay, when Ryan squeezed my hand and said firmly, "Mamma, I'll go with you. But can I spend one more birthday with Papà?"

I couldn't bear to hurt him anymore, so I pulled him close and nodded. "Okay."

Ryan's birthday fell on December 23rd. I reminded Leander two days in advance, telling him there was no need to prepare anything. He only needed to come home and spend time with Ryan.

Though Leander and I had grown apart, I still wanted Ryan to be happy.

Ryan woke up early on his birthday, put on his little suit, and stood by the window, staring at the front gate.

"Mamma, Papà is coming for my birthday, right?" Ryan asked nervously.

"Of course, he is."

I adjusted his collar, even though I felt just as anxious as he did. I'd already sent Leander five text reminders, but he hadn't replied to any of them.

The ice cream cake on the table was beginning to melt. Ryan lowered his head, unwrapped the candles, and gently placed them on the cake. There were six in all.

After a long pause, Ryan murmured as if he had just realized something. "Papà isn't coming, is he?"

He even tried to comfort me when he saw the apologetic look on my face. "It's okay, Mamma. I'm happy you're here to celebrate with me. He must be really busy being the don, so we shouldn't bother him."

It was the first time Ryan had called Leander "don"—respectful, yet distant. In that moment, he seemed to grow up, accepting that Leander would never care for him. But his reddened eyes betrayed the hurt he was trying to hide.

He was only six, after all.

Upon seeing Ryan's sadness, masked by false bravery, filled me with such fury that it made my chest ache. I grabbed my phone, ready to call Leander and give him a piece of my mind.

Just then, a notification popped up. It was a message from Leander. "Come to Beaumont Manor."

I showed the message to Ryan. "See, Ryan? He didn't forget your birthday, after all."

Ryan's face lit up with a bright smile, and he pulled me toward the door.

The whole ride there, Ryan kept wondering what surprise Leander had in store for him. He kept smoothing out his clothes, muttering to himself, "Papà is the most powerful mafia don in Westrael. I'm his son. I can't embarrass him."

Before long, we arrived at Beaumont Manor, and my smile froze. A red carpet lined with roses stretched all the way from the entrance. This wasn't exactly the kind of decor one would expect at a child's birthday party.

Of course, Ryan didn't notice at all. He happily opened the car door, jumped out, and dashed inside. I stayed close behind, my pulse racing, desperately hoping I was wrong about my fears.

The party was in full swing on the lawn, with an impressive champagne tower and a three-tiered buttercream cake on display.

Ryan's eyes lit up the moment he spotted Leander by the cake. "Papà!"

Ryan rushed forward, excited, and threw his arms around Leander. But Leander didn't return the embrace. Instead, he shoved Ryan away in shock, demanding, "What are you doing here?"

I felt my heart drop then.

"Isn't this Don Beaumont and Ms. Fowler's engagement party? I heard both families were here. How could he suddenly have a grown son? What an embarrassment for them!"

The murmurs around us grew louder, closing in like a tightening noose.

Leander's expression darkened as he took a few steps back, his glare locking onto Ryan. "What did you just call me?"

Terrified, Ryan froze under Leander's fury, his tears welling up but refusing to fall. Leander had taught him that a man in the mafia must never cry.

After a long pause, Ryan spoke with a trembling voice. "Don Beaumont."