Left for a Stuffed Animal

The Consigliere—my husband, Sal Barzini—who'd always despised anything soft or weak—suddenly started sleeping with a teddy bear. One button eye missing, filthy as a stray dog, yet he cuddled that beast every night, curled up in silk sheets like a baby returning to the womb.

And left me freezing on the edge of the master bedroom.

I couldn't stand it anymore. At our son Luca's first-year baptism, I announced I wanted out.

Everyone went numb with shock.

Sal grabbed a glass of red wine and threw it in my face. "You're jealous of a stuffed animal? Have you lost your fucking mind?"

I wiped the wine from my cheek, cold as ice. "You say you want to spend your life with that beast. I'm giving you my blessing."

The Consigliere—my husband, Sal Barzini—who'd always despised anything soft or weak—suddenly started sleeping with a teddy bear. One button eye missing, filthy as a stray dog, yet he cuddled that beast every night, curled up in silk sheets like a baby returning to the womb.

And left me freezing on the edge of the master bedroom.

I couldn't stand it anymore. At our son Luca's first-year baptism, I announced I wanted out.

Everyone went numb with shock.

Sal grabbed a glass of red wine and threw it in my face. "You're jealous of a stuffed animal? Have you lost your fucking mind?"

I wiped the wine from my cheek, cold as ice. "You say you want to spend your life with that beast. I'm giving you my blessing."

...

"Cara Lucchese!" He used my full name—that's always a bad sign. "Luca just turned one, and you pick this holy day to humiliate me with such insane nonsense? You're completely unhinged."

I stared him down. "Sign it. Tomorrow, nine sharp, Family Council Room."

I had nothing more to say. I tossed the parchment divorce scroll onto the table and turned to leave.

Every capo in the room was stunned.

No one could understand why the perfect couple—Sal and his faithful wife—were suddenly tearing each other apart.

Panic flashed in Sal's eyes. His parents—the Barzini Family, the old guard—frowned instantly, their faces dropping into darkness.

They never expected me to be this absolute.

Donna, Gigi, his childhood sweetheart, grabbed my arm and yanked me back. Her nails dug into my flesh. "Who says a man can't have a little comfort? Stop acting crazy and apologize to Sal."

"Don't forget how he spoiled you. When you mentioned you loved Sicilian blood oranges, he drove through a storm all night to get them. Came back with the front of the car smashed in, blood dripping from his forehead, clutching those oranges to his chest."

"When he heard you were in labor, he ran through a gang shootout to reach you. Took a bullet in the shoulder, bled all the way, and still stumbled into the hospital."

"He sleeps in the guest room so he won't wake you and Luca. How can you not see his good