Chapter 3
1022words
Isabella's estate loomed before us.
Grander and older than ours.
This was the true heart of Moretti power.
Alessandro might be the Godfather…
But Isabella was the Queen Mother.
Without her blessing, no major family decision stood.
Our car pulled up to the entrance.
Alessandro opened my door.
"Remember," he whispered, "whatever Mother says, just smile and nod."
I studied his face. "What exactly am I nodding to?"
"I don't know. But lately… she's been vocal about you."
"About what?"
"Because…" he hesitated. "Damn it. You'll see soon enough."
His expression was a storm of emotions.
Guilt. Resignation. Conflict.
I suddenly understood.
He knew exactly what awaited inside.
He was complicit.
The massive doors swung open.
The butler bowed deeply. "Godfather, Madam."
"Where's my mother?"
"In the main salon. With a guest."
A guest?
We walked through the marble foyer.
In the grand salon, Isabella presided from her favorite chair.
Her black dress impeccable, the family's pearl necklace gleaming at her throat.
A young woman perched beside her.
Blonde. Red dress. Saccharine smile.
I recognized her instantly.
Jessica.
I froze.
Alessandro's hand pressed against my back—a warning.
"Alex!" Jessica jumped up.
Then "caught" herself with a theatrical glance at Isabella.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. I got carried away."
"Nonsense, dear." Isabella's smile was warm honey.
"This will be your home soon enough."
The air crystallized.
"Mother," Alessandro stepped forward. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Precisely what it sounds like." Isabella sipped her tea.
"Jessica will be joining our family."
"She has quite the business acumen. The club's profits have soared since her arrival."
"More importantly, she understands family values. Unlike some people."
Her gaze cut to me.
Cold. Calculating. Hostile.
"Jessica," she turned to the girl, "would you feed Nala, dear?"
Nala was Isabella's prized Persian cat.
A notoriously aloof creature that despised strangers.
Jessica approached the cat's cushion, cooing softly.
Remarkably, the cat padded over.
It rubbed against her hand, purring loudly.
"You see?" Isabella gestured triumphantly. "Even Nala adores her."
"Unlike you."
Her eyes narrowed at me.
"Three years, and that cat still hisses when you enter a room."
"Animals sense character. They know what humans pretend not to see."
My fingers curled into fists.
But I kept my smile fixed.
"Perhaps I'm simply not a cat person."
"This isn't about pets." Isabella rose, circling me like a shark.
"It's about you."
"Irina, you've been the Godfather's wife for three years. Where is our heir?"
"This family needs continuity."
"Jessica comes from good Italian stock. Young. Fertile."
"She's eager to provide what this family needs."
She stepped closer, her perfume suffocating me.
"Do I make myself clear?"
I stared at this woman.
This manipulative, cruel old woman.
Was she actually suggesting…?
She wanted me to accept my husband's mistress?
And be grateful for the "arrangement"?
"I don't understand," I said, my voice steady.
"Then let me spell it out for you."
Her voice dropped to ice.
"The Moretti men have always kept multiple women."
"Each with her own purpose."
"You're the wife—the public face, the political connection."
"Jessica will handle… other needs."
"This arrangement benefits everyone."
"Including you."
She patted my shoulder condescendingly.
"Do you understand now, dear?"
I wanted to laugh hysterically.
To scream with laughter.
What did this woman take me for?
A brood mare?
A trophy?
A pawn to be sacrificed at will?
"Mother," Alessandro interjected, "perhaps we should discuss this privately—"
"There's nothing to discuss." Isabella cut him off sharply.
"I've made my decision."
"Jessica moves in next week."
"Work out the sleeping arrangements yourselves."
She turned to me, eyebrow raised.
"You don't mind sharing, do you, Irina?"
I looked at Alessandro.
He couldn't meet my eyes.
So that was it.
He'd known all along.
This was what he meant by "smile and nod."
The absurdity hit me like a slap.
I'd foolishly believed I'd married for love.
It was only ever a transaction.
And now they were changing the terms.
Accept it…
Or…
"I understand perfectly," I said.
Isabella nodded, satisfied.
"Good girl. I knew you were clever."
"Now, let's have lunch."
"We should celebrate."
"Jessica, sit by me, dear."
The girl practically skipped to her side.
I was relegated to the far end of the table.
Like a distant relative no one wanted to invite.
Throughout lunch, Isabella and Jessica chatted like old friends.
Fashion. Family business. Future plans.
I might as well have been invisible.
No one addressed me.
Not even a glance my way.
Alessandro sat opposite me.
Occasionally his eyes would find mine, filled with conflict.
But he said nothing.
Didn't defend me.
Didn't challenge his mother.
Nothing.
I set down my silverware.
"Excuse me, I need some air."
No one even noticed.
I left the dining room.
Through the hallway and into the garden.
Deep breath.
Stay calm.
Keep it together.
I couldn't break down here.
Couldn't let them see me crack.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind me.
"Irina."
Alessandro.
"Look, I know you're upset—"
"I'm not." I turned to face him.
"I'm perfectly fine."
"No explanation needed. I understand completely."
"What exactly do you understand?" His brow furrowed.
"I understand this is a 'family decision.'"
"I understand the great Godfather still answers to Mommy."
"I understand I'm just the Petrova pawn, the political chess piece."
"I understand everything."
"Irina—"
"Just answer me one thing."
I stared directly into his eyes.
"Did you ever love me?"
"Even for a moment?"
"Was any of it real?"
His silence stretched between us.
That silence was my answer.
I smiled bitterly.
I turned to leave.
"Irina!" He grabbed my wrist.
"Let go."
"Just listen to me—"
"There's nothing to say."
I yanked my arm free.
"Your birthday is next week."
"I've prepared something special."
"Don't forget to open it."
"It contains exactly what you want."
"What is it?"
"Freedom."
I walked away without looking back.
He called after me.
But I was already gone.
Because Nala, that haughty cat,
Was purring against Jessica's leg.
While the stray I'd rescued and fed for three years
Bolted at the sight of me.
Even the cats knew.
Who belonged and who didn't.
