When the Don Took a Mistress

It was the third year of my marriage to Antonio Rizzo, Don of the Rizzo mafia family. He kept a younger woman on the side and had everyone keep it from me.

They all said I was his first love, his weakness, the treasure he brought back from Cocily. However, when he got drunk, he laughed and told the family members, "I love Elena, but she's a bit boring in bed. She's just not wild enough.

"You all know how it is. Men like a little excitement, like Caterina. She's young, beautiful, and knows how to have fun."

The boy who had sworn in church at 17 that he would love me forever now held a young, beautiful blonde in his arms as he coaxed her, "As long as Elena doesn't find out, you can do whatever you want."

The day I left, everything seemed normal. No one noticed anything unusual. The maid, Maria Russo, even smiled and asked me, "Signora, are you going shopping?"

I smiled lightly and nodded. "No need to prepare dinner tonight."

Antonio did not know that the 'boring' Elena he spoke of was the daughter of the Santoro mafia family. The women of the Santoro family never forgave betrayal.

The hallway of the Rizzo estate stretched long before me. Caravaggio originals hung on the walls, their surfaces catching the glow from floor lamps that spilled across the oak floorboards in dappled patterns.

At the end of the hall, the study door stood slightly ajar. Laughter burst through in waves, each one louder than the last.

Today was the day my husband, Don Antonio Rizzo, handled family business. Every member of the family had come.

Outsiders were not allowed within ten feet, so they had not even bothered to close the door.

I carried my Hermès Kelly bag and was about to push the door open when my heel caught on the foreign rug. As I bent down, the diamond ring on my ring finger suddenly slipped off. The 60-carat ring tumbled onto the deep red carpet like a fallen tear.

My heart stung for no reason I could name.

I was about to crouch down to pick it up when I heard Antonio's voice.

"Come on, I'm not like you scum." His voice carried the blur of alcohol but swelled with pride. "My first love, my one true love for this lifetime is my wife."

I pressed my lips together. The cold diamond sat in my palm, but warmth spread through my chest.

"It's just a shame." Antonio suddenly sighed. "I only found out after I married her that Elena's nothing special. Women are only fun when they're young and beautiful."

My hand clenched tight. The diamond dug into my flesh as the smile froze on my lips.

"What about me, Don?" A sweet, soft voice suddenly rang out, full of wounded injustice. "You said your one true love is your wife, so what am I? Last night, you said you loved me most!"

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