When the Don Took a Mistress

It was the third year of my marriage to Antonio Rizzo, Don of the Rizzo mafia family. He kept a younger woman on the side and had everyone keep it from me.

They all said I was his first love, his weakness, the treasure he brought back from Cocily. However, when he got drunk, he laughed and told the family members, "I love Elena, but she's a bit boring in bed. She's just not wild enough.

"You all know how it is. Men like a little excitement, like Caterina. She's young, beautiful, and knows how to have fun."

The boy who had sworn in church at 17 that he would love me forever now held a young, beautiful blonde in his arms as he coaxed her, "As long as Elena doesn't find out, you can do whatever you want."

The day I left, everything seemed normal. No one noticed anything unusual. The maid, Maria Russo, even smiled and asked me, "Signora, are you going shopping?"

I smiled lightly and nodded. "No need to prepare dinner tonight."

Antonio did not know that the 'boring' Elena he spoke of was the daughter of the Santoro mafia family. The women of the Santoro family never forgave betrayal.

The hallway of the Rizzo estate stretched long before me. Caravaggio originals hung on the walls, their surfaces catching the glow from floor lamps that spilled across the oak floorboards in dappled patterns.

At the end of the hall, the study door stood slightly ajar. Laughter burst through in waves, each one louder than the last.

Today was the day my husband, Don Antonio Rizzo, handled family business. Every member of the family had come.

Outsiders were not allowed within ten feet, so they had not even bothered to close the door.

I carried my Hermès Kelly bag and was about to push the door open when my heel caught on the foreign rug. As I bent down, the diamond ring on my ring finger suddenly slipped off. The 60-carat ring tumbled onto the deep red carpet like a fallen tear.

My heart stung for no reason I could name.

I was about to crouch down to pick it up when I heard Antonio's voice.

"Come on, I'm not like you scum." His voice carried the blur of alcohol but swelled with pride. "My first love, my one true love for this lifetime is my wife."

I pressed my lips together. The cold diamond sat in my palm, but warmth spread through my chest.

"It's just a shame." Antonio suddenly sighed. "I only found out after I married her that Elena's nothing special. Women are only fun when they're young and beautiful."

My hand clenched tight. The diamond dug into my flesh as the smile froze on my lips.

"What about me, Don?" A sweet, soft voice suddenly rang out, full of wounded injustice. "You said your one true love is your wife, so what am I? Last night, you said you loved me most!"

The men all burst into laughter. "Silly girl, you actually believe what a man says in bed? Besides, it's only natural for a man to love his wife."

"You're the mistress. What are you even fighting for?"

"Don! Look at them!" The woman's voice turned tearful, sounding so delicate and soft. It really made a person's heart ache.

"Enough. Leave her alone." Antonio's voice dropped. "What mistress? This is my girlfriend. Watch your mouth."

Someone whistled. "No way, Don. Are you serious about this?"

Antonio made a low sound of agreement. "She's been with me since she was 18. I have to take responsibility."

"Don, you really know how to live."

"Haha, exactly. Aren't you afraid the Signora will make a scene?"

Antonio laughed. "Elena depends on me to survive. What's she going to make a scene with? But you all better keep your mouths shut. I love my wife very much. I don't want to make her sad."

"You love your wife very much, so what about me?" The young lady started up again, relentless.

Antonio reached out and pulled her in front of him, holding her in his arms as he coaxed her. "Sweetheart, is this really worth your tears?"

The young lady sobbed and whined. "Antonio, I want you to say you love me most. Even if you're lying."

"Alright, baby. She's not as young or beautiful or wild as you. Right now, of course, I love you most."

I stood outside the door in the shadows and suddenly smiled. The man who had once sworn he would love me for a lifetime was now coaxing a younger woman, but I did not even feel the urge to walk in and confront him.

One betrayal meant no second chances. That was the rule of the Santoro family.

I turned and walked back down that long hallway.

On our wedding day, Antonio lowered his eyes and swore before every member of the family, "Through poverty, sickness, hardship, pain, wealth, health, joy, and happiness, Elena, I will never leave you. I will love you for a lifetime."

A lifetime.

A single tear slid down my cheek.

He promised a lifetime, but a lifetime cut short by a year, a month, a day, or even an hour was not a lifetime at all.