At Our Sweetest, We Fall Apart

At the celebration where Lorenzo Alvarez is crowned the new mafia boss, his men arrange a few performances.

A dancer in a backless top and short skirt twists around the pole under the lights.

"Don't look," he murmurs, covering my eyes with his hand. "This kind of cheap entertainment isn't worthy of you."

His men jump in immediately.

"Lorenzo still spoils Ms. Valenti after all these years. That kind of devotion is rare. We're so jealous."

"A man as loyal and single-minded as Lorenzo is hard to find."

I rest a hand on my belly, planning to tell him tonight that I am pregnant.

But when I return from the restroom, I see the same man who had just held me in his arms leaning back in his chair while the dancer straddles his lap.

Lorenzo slips his business card and a thick fold of cash into the waistband of her skirt.

He laughs, relaxed and unbothered. "Isabella is wonderful, sure, but life needs a little passion. This ragazza is just something new. A bit of fun.

"Keep your mouths shut. Don't go running to Isabella and upset her. Otherwise, you'll have a problem."

Cold rushes through me. I do not approach or confront Lorenzo. I simply take out my phone and answer the email I have been avoiding for days.

"I agree to participate in the confidential experiment."

"Ms. Valenti, congratulations. You have passed the screening for the confidential experiment. If you join the program, you'll need to travel to Silvercrest, and your domestic identity will be erased. Are you willing to participate?"

I had planned to refuse. Lorenzo had always loved me as if I were his entire world, and at that moment, I was carrying his child. I had thought we would finally have a peaceful, happy family.

But it seemed that was no longer true.

Once the dancer finished her routine, Lorenzo's men called for her to stay and have fun with them.

Lorenzo had stepped forward with a scowl dark enough to silence the room.

"What are you doing here?" His voice had been low, cold, unmistakably Don-like. "How many times have I told you not to show up in front of my wife?"

The woman's eyes had reddened as she threw herself into his chest. "I couldn't reach you. I felt so uneasy. Lorenzo, I'm pregnant."

"What?" Lorenzo had lit up with genuine delight. "That is incredible. I finally have a child of my own."

His men had erupted immediately.

"Auguri, Lorenzo. Congratulations, Donna."

Hearing that, Lorenzo's expression hardened. "Watch your mouth. There is only one Donna, and that's Isabella. Capisce?"

He had shaken his head, almost amused. "Isabella is wonderful, certo, but after so many years together, everything's become a little too calm.

"As for this ragazza, she's just something fresh. Only for fun. Keep your mouths shut, and do not upset Isabella.

"If you do, you'll have to answer me. Because Isabella matters more than my life."

In that instant, everything inside