When I'm Not the Madre

Before the engagement ceremony takes place, my fiance, Vincenzo Rizzi, makes a formal announcement on the deck of a cargo ship docked at the new harbor.

Apparently, my younger stepsister, Sofia Russo, will become his legitimate wife.

Vincenzo has an arm wrapped around Sofia's waist. As they stand beneath the spotlight, Vincenzo smiles tenderly at her.

"According to the mafioso's rules, only those who have received the core elders' acknowledgment shall become the Madre of the family. Others are nothing but lovers and mistresses."

Under the family elders' blessings, Vincenzo gives Sofia a black diamond necklace. Then, they exchange vows with each other and are now engaged.

I just watch the ceremony take place quietly. Then, I make an appointment to have an abortion.

I have loved Vincenzo since I was 16 years old. I'm 28 years old now, meaning I've been in love with him for 12 years. Yet, Sofia is the only one he has ever loved.

In that case, I choose to let go of him once and for all.

After that, I travel to a hidden safehouse located in Sombral. All I've left for Vincenzo is a letter stating the termination of our engagement and a farewell gift.

But the man, who has never shown concern toward me this whole time, ends up breaking down to the point he doesn't even have the mood to deal with his family matters.

The evening breeze carried the salty tang of the sea and the cold fragrance of bourbon.

Hidden in the shadows of Container No. 3 on the new dock, I clutched my gown so tightly that my fingertips turned pale.

The piercing beam of the searchlight cut through the night, illuminating the deck of the cargo ship as if it were daytime.

Vincenzo Rizzi stood at the center of the deck with his arm around Sofia Russo. Around her neck, the black diamond necklace gleamed harshly under the intense light, stinging my eyes.

That necklace was once the token of the marriage alliance between Vincenzo and me. He had caressed the gem and promised he'd love me forever.

But now, as his fingers lightly brushed the clasp on Sofia's neck, the tenderness in his eyes was something I had never seen in all our 12 years together.

Sofia was dressed in the dark red silk gown he loved most, casting her eyes down with a soft smile in the salty sea breeze. She was every bit the picture of the family's Madre.

Just then, my younger brother, Ettore Giordano, strode forward and loudly congratulated Vincenzo and Sofia, "Don Rizzi, Sofia, I couldn't be happier for you both! You two are truly the perfect match!"

At that moment, he only had eyes for Sofia, as if he had completely forgotten how her mother, Elena Caruso, had once tormented and beaten us two in the past.

Vincenzo said nothing more, his gaze lingering on Sofia. Then, he leaned down and kissed her deeply. The kiss lasted a full ten