A Throne Without a Memory

Rosa scoffed, her face twisted with scorn. "What's the big deal? It's just an arms trade. We don't need her. I can handle it just fine on my own."

The capos' voices were tinged with panic once more: "This is madness. The Romano have always done business with people, not their last names. You're just fooling yourself.

"Where's Don? Hurry, we need to find Don!"

Then Rosa's voice, laced with anxiety, echoed again. "Don's got a headache and is resting. You're ignoring his illness, burdening him with family troubles. I swear, I'll throw you all out of the family if you don't stop."

The line went dead with a buzz.

I knew how this would end. If I, the Don's wife who weathered storms of violence, could be ousted by Don and his mistress, what chance would they have?

They were powerless, forced to bite their tongues.

I could not help but laugh, a deep joy bubbling up, bringing with it a lightness I had never felt before. I was done with the family business.

So, I found myself on a plane to the Malvara Isles.

Days spent swimming in the ocean, soaking up the sun, I let go of all my weariness, relishing in the peace.

Nine days after I left it all behind, I slipped into the bridesmaid dress my best friend sent over for her wedding. As I made my way to the chapel, I texted her: [Left the bouquet in the car, but I've got it now and I'm heading in to hand it over.]

I just pocketed my phone when a voice, both familiar and pretentious, rang out: "Welcome, everyone, to the wedding of Sebastian and me."

I turned to see Sebastian, sharp in a tailored suit, standing by Rosa in her bridal gown, playing the perfect hosts.

They stood before a rainbow archway, their oversized wedding portraits smiling down.

Catching sight of me, Rosa rose on her toes and planted a kiss on Sebastian. The crowd erupted in whistles and cheers, and Sebastian, a bit sheepish, dabbed at his mouth.

He glanced up without thinking, and our eyes locked in an unexpected standoff.

Sebastian, caught off guard, shoved Rosa aside, his awkwardness bordering on comical.

Rosa's eyes brimmed with tears at the sight. She looked at Sebastian, her eyes filled with hurt, silently accusing him of still having feelings for me.

She thought I was there to wreak havoc. In front of all the guests, she rushed to me, tears streaming down her face, and grasped my hand, her voice breaking.

"Ms. DeLuca, Sebastian, and I are truly in love. Please, let us be. I'm begging you, don't take our love away, okay?"

Sebastian, with a slight smirk, was about to come to her defense when he noticed the bridal bouquet in my hands. Suddenly, he looked as if he was struck by lightning, his expression darkening.

"Elena, are you secretly marrying someone else?

"How could you do this?" He bellowed, his voice filled with accusation.

I knew he had it all wrong, but I was done explaining.

With a blank face, I replied, "Sebastian, we're divorced. I don't owe you any explanations."

Sebastian staggered, his gaze on me one of sheer bewilderment, his earlier pretense gone. In an almost over-the-top display, he acted as if he just snapped back to reality.

He tenderly took my hands, his voice dripping with affection, "Elena, you're still so stunning in a wedding dress. Are you trying to give us another shot?"

As he tried to draw me closer, I pulled away, my voice laced with sarcasm, "Cut the act. I know all about you and Rosa's little amnesia plot. I heard every word."

His face fell as he looked into my icy eye. His energy deflated, no longer feigning innocence, he confessed with a look of utter defeat. "I had my reasons for doing this.

"Rosa is talented, but you never gave her a chance, always putting her down. I had no other choice, that's why I made this desperate move.

"You probably didn't see this coming, but while you were gone, Rosa's been running the family business like a champ. Everyone's totally on board with her."

I could not help but let my sarcastic grin widen. "Running it well, or just good at keeping secrets?

Did you catch wind of today's arms deal with Amestia's leading mafia family, the Romanos?"

Sebastian paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he turned to Rosa.

With a shrug, Rosa said, "Relax, it's no biggie. I've got it all under control. Just sit tight for the good news."

Then, without missing a beat, she threw down the gauntlet. "Ms. DeLuca, you've been booted from the company, so why don't you save yourself the headache?

"You're out of the loop on a lot of things. I've got our point person all lined up, just waiting for the victory lap.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but it looks like I've let you down with my awesomeness once again."

Just as Sebastian's mood brightened and he was about to chime in, a cell phone ring sliced through the tension.

He could not hide his smugness as he glanced at the caller ID and gloated, "That's gotta be the Romano family giving Rosa the thumbs up. Maybe it's time you rethink your stance and throw her an apology."

With a confident tap, he answered the call and switched on the speakerphone.

A voice, barely containing its fury, blasted from the phone.