“Do you even grasp the gravity of what you’ve just said? If that rival syndicate gets caught in any criminal scandal, our Family will be dragged into the fallout—”
“Bella,” Veronica cut in with a sharp smile, “I know you dislike me, but don’t drag our Family’s name through the dirt just to win an argument.”
I turned to Adrian, searching for even the slightest support, but he was already glaring at me, jaw clenched.
“Veronica has a point,” he said coldly. “You barely finished school, Bella. You’ve never been trained in the intricacies of Syndicate alliances or the obligations of the Family. How could you possibly understand whether this partnership benefits us?”
And he didn’t stop.
“It’s better if I manage all Family responsibilities. Veronica handled the duties of a Donna for three years when my mother was ill—it’s natural that she’d understand these things better than you. I can’t bend the rules for you when you came into this household with nothing—no lineage, no reputation, no education. Just some stray orphan I married.”
Humiliation burned through me. The entire table fell silent, but no one intervened. They only watched.
The rest of dinner tasted like nothing. I pushed food around my plate while Adrian kept shooting me irritated side-glances. His mother, meanwhile, was busy laughing at everything Veronica said, pretending the earlier insult had never happened.
When I reached for an oyster—one I had brought from home because the Family’s nurse insisted it would help with my pregnancy—Adrian’s mother snapped at me.
“Bella! I understand no one taught you proper manners growing up, but are you really this foolish? Who eats rich seafood while five months pregnant? Do you have no concern for the child? Sometimes I wonder how much longer Adrian must carry the burden of protecting you.”
“Protecting me?” I said quietly, voice like ice. “Is that what you call protection? Letting you tear me down in front of everyone?”
Silence crashed over the room. Even Adrian’s mother stiffened. Adrian stared at me, startled.
“This oyster,” I said, lifting the dish a little, “is the one the nurse prepared specifically for me. I brought it because you rushed me out during lunch and ordered me to bring food for everyone here. But clearly, my presence only causes trouble. Coming here tonight was a mistake.”
“Bella—” Adrian reached for me as I stood, but I stepped away and headed for the exit.
He followed me into the corridor.
“Bella, don’t make this bigger than it is. My mother didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Come back inside.”
“To be very honest with you, Adrian,” I said, turning to face him, “my parents are alive. Very much alive. And if I had listened to them, I never would’ve walked into this house. Into this Family. Into a marriage where I have never once been wanted.”
Adrian grabbed my shoulders, forcing a gentle smile like I was a child throwing a meaningless tantrum.
“Bella, don’t say things you’ll regret. Let it go for tonight. You need to behave like a proper Mafia wife—loyal and composed.”
Before I could respond, the back door burst open and Colin stepped out, breathless.
“Adrian! Veronica can’t breathe—she needs you now.”
Adrian froze only for a moment before worry overtook his expression.
“Bella, come back inside. It’s going to pour. I need to check on Veronica—just wait for me.”
I stared at him as if he were a stranger. He held my hand briefly, searching for the right words, then released me and rushed back inside.
A moment later, my phone vibrated.
From Mother-in-law:
You may return now. I misjudged earlier. Let’s not ruin the dinner.
I stared through blurred vision. It was painfully clear—this household had never once opened its doors to me. Everything revolved around hierarchy, bloodlines, and usefulness.
Three years ago, I had been abducted by a rogue Mafia faction. My father and brothers had searched the entire region, but my identity had to be hidden for my safety. In the end, it was Adrian—then the Jade Crest Mafia’s rising heir—who led the rescue that freed me and several others. My mother offered him compensation, but I insisted I wanted to marry him.
My brothers protested. You’re our only daughter. You’ve never known brutality. A man like Adrian will crush you.
I was so naïve—so stupid—to think love could erase hierarchy.
Tonight, that same man called me worthless because I had no pedigree of my own.
The rain began pouring as I stepped into the courtyard. I ignored his mother calling after me. Shame choked me. I couldn’t bear to face my family—what would I even say? Would they still want me back after I chose this life over theirs?
Suddenly, warmth enveloped me. Adrian pulled me into his arms, both of us drenched.
“Bella, you’re freezing. Why didn’t you stay inside?” he murmured, guiding me under a small awning. “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have left you like that. But couldn’t you just follow instructions? Veronica is very sick.”
He cupped my cheek.
“She only came tonight because I asked her to. I couldn’t abandon her when she collapsed. And even then, she kept telling me to go after you. You should learn from her kindness.”
He sighed.
“My mother has been calling you nonstop. She wants you to come back. Why do you always resist everything?”
Seeing how pale I was, he led me to a nearby convenience store so I could change into dry clothes.
“Are you alright, Bella? I’ll call a driver to take you home.”
I shook my head. “Are you not coming with me?”
“I have something to take care of—”
“Let me guess,” I said quietly. “You’re driving Veronica home.”
His eyes widened.
He dropped his voice defensively. “I’ll be home after. You know Veronica is a single mother. She’s sick and has no one else. If something happened to her—”
“No need to explain,” I cut in softly. “I understand perfectly. She needs you… and I can manage alone.”
