That night Luciano didn’t return home, instead Underboss Aiden showed up with a bouquet of freshly plucked flowers.
“Donna Penelope…. Boss Luciano has sent these for you. Like always.”
I looked at the pure white roses, and my mind instantly flooding with the memories of the night I took a knife for Luciano during a bloody ambush orchestrated by a rival family.
The night he finally chose me and carefully slid a diamond ring onto my finger, making me his wife.
Kneeling before me beneath a sky full of stars, roses pressed against his chest, he had proposed me:
"Penelope, from now on, it's just you and me.
Even if I have some lingering feelings for Kiara, but I will give you roses every single day so you never forget…that you are my chosen wife."
I believed that was enough. That if I let him carve pieces out of me…my dignity, my body, my children and smiled through it all… one day he would finally love me.
My lashes quivered as I touched the petals almost absentmindedly before a thorn pierced my finger, making me stagger back as if burned.
"Throw them in the trash." I said, turning away.
My love for Luciano flickered dangerously, like a candle on its last breath before extinguishing completely.
“Aiden.” My voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper as I lifted my bloodshot eyes to meet his.
“Five years ago, I saved your wife and daughter, so answer me honestly.”
“Your loyalty…”My fingers tightened. “Does it belong to the Moretti Family or to me?
Aiden's expression changed instantly before he lowered his head.
“To you, Donna.”
A faint smile appeared on my lips…broken and hollow.
“Good…..Prepare for the divorce proceedings. Send my message to the Family Council that I am going to divorce Luciano four days from now.“
The color drained from his face. “Divorce? Donna, you can’t! If you sever your ties with the Moretti family, you will become their enemy!”
I didn’t flinch, replying calmly.
“Then let it be….I will take my sons and leave this pack for good.”
Aiden left without another word. The door clicking shut as I sat alone in the darkness, hand pressed to my empty womb, the scent of roses choking the air until I finally closed my eyes.
The next day, my eyes fluttered open to small hands pressing against my forehead.
"Is mommy sick?" My eldest son Ian whispered worriedly.
For a fleeting second, my heart lurched as I bent instinctively, arms opening to pull him to my chest.
"I-I am fine, don’t worry about me—"
“That’s good then.”
Ian cut in quickly.
“If Mommy keeps acting sick, how will she take care of Auntie Kiara?”
My hands froze mid-air, eyes widening as the warmth in them shattered instantly.
“W-What did you say?” My voice came weak as I quivered, praying that I heard it wrong.
“Mom, you shouldn’t lie uselessly.” Lucas said innocently, his tone unusually serious for a child. “Auntie just woke up. The doctor said she needs a clean, quiet place, so hurry up and clean Dad’s room of all your things!”
Ian nodded quickly, tugging at his brother’s sleeve as he looked at me with bright, expectant eyes.
“Yes! Mom, it will be better if you move to the storage room beside our nursery. That way, when we need you, you can come quickly!”
Each word landed softly.
Yet every syllable felt like thousands of needles piercing my skin.
“Leave.”
I swallowed against the rawness in my throat.
The children scowled, turning away before shutting the door with a loud bang.
In the past, my two sons lovingly fought over me like I was their sun.
Who got the first morning kiss.
Who made the best Mother's Day card.
Who got to curl up in my lap.
I used to laugh at their silly antics before scooping them into my arms.
“Mommy loves you both silly. Stop fighting.”
Now their eyes held no love, only disdain like I was a mere maid.
The door hadn't even fully closed behind them when Luciano walked inside, setting his cufflinks slowly in the mirror.
“Kiara is coming back in two days, make sure you prepare all her favorite dishes. It's her special welcoming party so don’t wear something too loud.”
When I didn’t move, didn’t rush to him like I always did, his fingers stilled mid-motion.
Only then did he seem to notice me.
Walking towards me he gently pressed his palm against my forehead, checking my temperature.
“Are you still sick?" My eyes locked with his.
For a long moment, I just stared at the man who had once held my hand through twelve hours of labor, sweat on his brow, tears in his eyes. "I wish I could suffer the pain instead of you Penelope." he had whispered then.
Gone was that boy who fretted over my papercuts. The bestfriend who filled my lap with hundreds of chocolates to just stop me from crying, was long buried under the ‘Alpha’ title.
If not him..then who else could have poisoned my children’s mind drop by drop until our bond was nothing but a hollow shell.
Luciano frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
I didn't answer.
His brows furrowed slightly before he sighed.
“Penelope... is this about yesterday?”
His gaze drifted briefly toward my bare ring finger.
“I am glad you didn't make a scene and accepted stepping down as Donna of the Moretti Family. Don’t worry, if you continue to be reasonable, even if Kiara returns, nobody will take your place completely.”
A bitter laugh almost escaped me.
Not completely? Was there anything left to take?
“You will continue living here. The children can visit whenever they want. You will even have a monthly allowance, bodyguards and a private residence on the estate.”
Then came the knife.
“Once Kiara adjusts, I may even restore your position as Donna so fulfil your duties and don’t complain.”
It was then he leaned down without a warning and pressed his lips to mine as if reassuring me.
The instant his mouth touched my skin, revulsion crawled through me like thousands of insects squirming under my flesh.
The sounds of those lewd moans detonated in my head with full force as bile rose my throat. I gagged, scurrying away instantly.
Luciano’s eyes deepened with meaning.
“You….don’t tell me you got pregnant again?”
