The Underboss's Barren Crown

The first time Gabriel cheated, he dragged his mistress before me and told me to do with her as I pleased.

Because I loved him, so I chose to forgive him.

The second time, I sent that woman to Europe and told her never to come back.

On the night of the family gathering, he pressed a blade to my skin.

"Where is she?" he seethed, his eyes wild. "Serena. She's carrying my child."

"This is my fault. I couldn't keep my dick in my pants. Hate me. But she's innocent. Let the baby be born, I'm begging you."

Then he smiled, a cruel, twisted thing.

"You've always hated pain, haven't you, my Principessa?"

The blade bit deeper. Blood bloomed on my sleeve.

"Let this one live. Our child. It will only ever know you as its mother. I swear it."

I looked into his eyes. And I smiled.

I told him exactly where to find her. The door slammed shut.

My hands trembled as I pulled out a burner phone.

"You were right," I whispered.

"I need your help one last time."

————————

1

On the other end of the line, the man cursed under his breath, his voice heavy with resignation.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m already in Sicily. How the hell am I supposed to help you?”

“For Christ’s sake, Sophia Vance. You’re supposed to be the smart one in the Five Families. How could you fall for the same man’s bullshit twice? Has he fucked you stupid?”

I pressed down on the gash in my arm, my voice laced with bitterness.

“Sorry. I owe you one. Thirty percent of the west-side territory business. Is that enough?”

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. I had his full attention.

“Time and place. Send them to me. I’ll be there.”

“Next time you’ve got a deal this sweet, you call me first. You know I’m good for it.”

I sent the complete wedding plan to Henry “Hank” Russo.

He replied instantly with an OK emoji.

Our old safe house had been trashed by Gabe. A complete wreck. Just like me.

I treated the wound myself and stumbled out of the villa.

I had just checked into a hotel when Gabe’s call came through.

The roar of the private jet’s engine was loud, but I could still hear the fury simmering beneath his words.

“Sophia, I’m on a plane to Europe, so I can’t be with you tonight. Get some rest. I’m sorry, I got too emotional. I didn't mean to hurt you.”

“Is the wound bad? Should I have the family doctor come see you?”

“No need.”

I cut him off, my voice ice.

Gabe’s tone instantly darkened.

“Sophia Vance, didn’t I tell you? Serena and I were a mistake. I was drugged; I thought she was you. Now there’s a child. I have to find her. Are we supposed to let Costa blood just wander the streets, unprotected?”

“You forgave me last time, didn’t you? Why are you blowing this up now? Our wedding is in a week. You need to calm your shit down.”

I stared at my chat history with Hank on the screen and said coldly, “Don’t bother. I'm not marrying you.”

“Gabe, I told you. I don’t tolerate betrayal.”

Before I could hang up, he exploded.

“Not marrying me? What the fuck are you talking about? All of New York knows the Vances and the Costas are uniting. You pull this now? Are you threatening me with our families’ alliance?”

“Sophia, we grew up together. I know you better than anyone. If I hadn’t been set up, I would never have betrayed you!”

“It’s two strikes, Sophia, not three. Once the baby is born, Serena will be gone. I swear she’ll never cross your path again. Isn’t that enough?”

Tears streamed down my face, a bitter smile twisting my lips.

“And what? I’m supposed to look at the bastard child you had with another woman every single day, a living reminder of your betrayal?”

“Gabe, I can’t. I’m sorry.”

As the words left my mouth, his roar ripped through the phone.

“Fine. Remember what you said today. Don’t you dare fucking regret it.”

“For men like us, who doesn’t have a woman on the side? I already told you to handle Serena however you wanted; what more could I do? So either you get on board, or you get the hell out. I don't give a fuck which.”

The call ended. The floor-to-ceiling window reflected my pathetic silhouette.

Suite 13520. It used to be his favorite place for us.

He said it was filled with our memories.

Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries.

This room had become our private world.

But now, I was the only one left who remembered.

Gabe leaked the news of our broken engagement to my parents. Their call was immediate.

“Sophia, what’s going on? Gabe is saying you’re calling off the wedding?”

“This isn’t a joke, my daughter. Don’t be foolish.”

I burrowed deeper under the covers, my voice tight.

“His mistress is pregnant.”

“What man doesn’t make mistakes? Just get rid of it—”

“I’m not calling off the wedding. I’m just marrying someone else. You know him. Henry ‘Hank’ Russo.”

My Father’s lecture died in his throat.

My Madre was stunned into silence.

“Hank Russo? Aren’t you two mortal enemies? Did you forget he nearly set your hair on fire when you were children?”

I managed a small laugh, trying to keep my voice light.

“That’s why I’m marrying him. To make his life a living hell.”