Married to the Don? No, Thanks

Seven years after getting engaged to Leander Beaumont, he inherits everything that once belonged to his late brother—including his brother's wife, Dinah Fowler.

Every time Leander sleeps with Dinah, he holds me afterward and whispers, "Jenny, just wait a little longer. We can finally have our wedding once Dinah gets pregnant."

It's the only condition the Beaumont family, Westrael’s most powerful mafia clan, sets for Leander to become the next Don.

In just half a year after returning home, Leander visits Dinah's room 59 times. He starts from once a month... to nearly every single day.

Finally, after the 60th time I watch him leave Dinah's room, the "good news" comes. Dinah is pregnant.

And along with it, an announcement—the Beaumont family declares Leander and Dinah are getting married.

"Mamma, is someone getting married?" my young son asks, staring at the house now lavishly decorated by a wedding company.

I quietly gather him into my arms, my voice cold as I say, "Yes, sweetheart. Your father is marrying the woman he loves. It's time for us to leave."

What Leander doesn't know is that the Bellini family, my family, has risen to become a mafia power strong enough to rival the Beaumonts.

And me? I'm Jenny Bellini, the most beloved daughter of the Bellini family. I will never be trapped by marriage again.

I first met Leander Beaumont when he was a capo in the Beaumont family. His brother, Derek Beaumont, was the don.

Derek drew every woman's gaze at mafia family gatherings, each hoping to be the don's chosen one. But it was Leander who caught my attention. He was alone with his drink. I offered my hand, and we shared a dance.

They called me bold and scheming, whispering that I'd sold myself to tie the Bellinis to the powerful Beaumonts. But the truth was, I loved Leander more than anything.

I loved him enough to have his son, Ryan Beaumont, before we married. I loved him enough to endure 60 nights of him sneaking into Dinah Fowler's bed, all to secure his place as the Beaumonts' next don.

It wasn't until I heard about Leander and Dinah's wedding that I realized he hadn't even bothered to hide it from me.

After putting Ryan to bed, I stepped out onto the balcony and pulled out my phone to book an international flight. I stared at the flight details on my screen, my mind blank.

Seven days from now would be Christmas Day—the day I planned to leave was also the anniversary of our engagement.

What a cruel twist of fate. It had all started that day, and now, it would end on the same day.

I had just locked my phone when strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm, broad embrace, heavy with the scent of roses.

Leander held me close, pressing me against the balcony railing. He nipped my earlobe and murmured, "It's chilly out here. What are you doing?"

I glanced at my