Blurb：
Alessia was chosen as the fiancée of Lorenzo, the Mafia heir, but her world shatters when he demands she give her title to Chiara, the wild daughter of an arms dealer. Chiara, with her modified sports car and military-grade combat knife, captivates Lorenzo’s gaze despite his disdain. As Alessia stands in her wedding gown, a drop of blood stains the satin—a symbol of her broken dreams. Refusing to be a mistress, she leaves the gown behind and chooses to marry the Don, vowing to become the true Madre of the family. In a world of tradition and betrayal, Alessia must navigate power, love, and revenge. Will she rise above Lorenzo’s rejection and Chiara’s defiance to claim her destiny?
Content：
I was chosen to be the fiancée of Lorenzo, the Mafia’s heir.
But at a family gala, Lorenzo was openly pursued by Chiara, the daughter of an arms dealer.
Chiara wasn’t like the other rule-abiding debutantes.She tore through the streets in a modified sports car, used a military-grade combat knife to cut her cigars, and drank the harshest whiskey neat.There was an untamed wildness about her, a fire Lorenzo couldn’t look away from.
He complained to the family elders, “How can a woman like that possibly be our Madre and run this entire family?”
His words dripped with disdain for her recklessness, yet his eyes were glued to her, tracking her every move as she raised her glass.
Then, on Lorenzo’s birthday, he announced his intention to make Chiara his mistress.
Chiara refused.”The women of my family are wives, never mistresses.And my husband’s heart must belong only to me.”
Lorenzo came to me, his voice hesitant.”Alessia, it’s just a title.I need you to give it to Chiara.Please? She doesn’t understand our family’s traditions, and she’s making a scene about marrying me.We just need to pacify her for now.Even if she marries me, you will still be the one to manage the family’s affairs.”
As I stood trying on my wedding gown, a sharp crystal bead on the bodice pierced my finger.A single drop of blood bloomed against the pure white satin.
The dress was ruined, but the wedding would go on.
Since he chose someone else to be his wife, I will become his Madre.
Chapter 1
On the eve of our wedding, my fiancé, the heir to the Mafia, told me to give my title to another woman and become his mistress. So I left my wedding gown on the floor and chose to marry the Don. If I couldn’t be his wife, I would become his Madre.
“Miss, Mr. Lorenzo is here,” our maid, Maria, announced as she pushed the door open, her voice trembling with excitement. A personal visit from the heir was an honor.
Before I could turn, Lorenzo strode into the room, his gaze landing on me with its usual warmth. “Alessia, you should let the designer handle the alterations. Why do it yourself? You’ll prick your fingers.”
I stood before the full-length mirror, dressed in a custom-made, pure-white wedding gown. He wasn’t supposed to be here.
Two weeks ago, Chiara had splashed her birthday party all over Instagram. It was to be held on her family’s private yacht, and nearly every socialite in Italy was invited. Lorenzo had promised her he would be there. So why was he here now?
I met his gaze in the mirror. His eyes flickered away before he cleared his throat. “I need to discuss something with you.”
He hesitated, then finally met my eyes again. “Chiara refuses to be a mistress. I’ve thought it over… I have to give her the title of wife.”
My hands, which had been adjusting the delicate lace on the skirt, froze.
“Alessia, it’s just a formality. A title. I need you to give it to Chiara. Please? She doesn’t understand our family’s rules and she’s demanding I marry her. We just need to pacify her for now. After the wedding, you’ll still be the one managing the family’s affairs. The entire family knows you are the only one I consider my true wife.”
The last sliver of hope I’d been clinging to shattered. I turned to face him. “So, you want me to be your mistress?”
Lorenzo’s brow furrowed in annoyance. “Alessia, you were raised to be a matriarch. You know these titles are just for appearances. Don’t be petty like other women.”
He continued, his tone placating, “You’ve always been so understanding. Don’t throw a tantrum like Chiara. You know, what I admire most about you is your grace and elegance, how you never make demands.”
“Today is Chiara’s birthday. Promising her the position of future matriarch is the best gift I can give her.”
My hand clenched a decorative crystal on my gown, its sharp edge digging into my fingertip. A bead of blood welled on my skin, then fell, staining the immaculate white fabric like a single, perfect rose.
“Miss, you’re bleeding!” Maria cried out.
I stared at the crimson stain on my chest, but Lorenzo was already turning to leave, his footsteps light, as if he’d just been discussing the weather.
Maria rushed over with a first-aid kit. “Miss, your hand… and the gown…”
I waved her away and stood alone before the mirror. The pure white dress was now marred by a single drop of blood, a grotesque work of art.
The sting of pain brought a sharp, cold clarity.
I began to unlace the back of the gown. The silk pooled at my feet as I stepped out of it and strode to my closet.
“Maria, prepare my most formal power suit. I’m going to see Mrs. Isabella.”
Maria froze. “Now? But your hand is still bleeding—”
“Yes,” I said, placing a simple bandage over the cut. My gaze was firm. “Right now.”
Thirty minutes later, I was ringing her doorbell.
“Miss Alessia?” Isabella’s personal maid answered, her expression surprised. “The Madam wasn’t expecting you.”
“It was a last-minute decision. Is Mrs. Isabella available?”
“She is in the drawing-room. Please, follow me.”
Isabella was seated on an antique French sofa, surrounded by a circle of high-society ladies. They were enjoying afternoon tea and pastries, chatting about the latest haute couture fashion week.
When she saw me, Isabella set down her porcelain teacup. “Alessia, what a surprise. Lorenzo mentioned you were having your final dress fitting today.”
My mother, Caterina, who had accompanied me, watched as I walked before Isabella and sank to my knees. My mother gasped.
Isabella’s eyes widened, and she immediately rose. “Alessia, what is the meaning of this?”
I looked her in the eye, my voice calm but resolute. “Madam, Lorenzo wishes to break our engagement. He has fallen for Chiara and intends to make her his wife.”
Chapter 2
The atmosphere in the drawing-room instantly froze.
Isabella rushed to my side, her hands trying to pull me up. “Alessia, get up. We can discuss this properly.”
I didn’t move, remaining on my knees. “Madam, the women of the Rossi family are wives, never mistresses. That is our family tradition. I cannot break it, but I also refuse to stand in the way of Lorenzo and Miss Chiara’s happiness. Therefore, I formally request that you dissolve my engagement to Lorenzo.”
Isabella sighed, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. “But Alessia, the daughters of the Rossi family have always married into the core syndicate families. Besides Lorenzo, all the other suitable men of his rank are already married. I would not see you slighted.”
I lifted my head, meeting her gaze directly. “Then I ask you to deliver a message to the Don for me. I wish to marry him.”
The moment the words left my mouth, a deathly silence consumed the room.
Isabella staggered back a step, her face pale with shock. “What? You want to marry Giovanni?”
Even the other ladies on the sofa set down their teacups, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Isabella knelt before me, her voice low and intense. “Alessia, do you have any idea what you are saying? Giovanni is my brother. He is the Don of our entire organization. You must understand that once I relay this message, there will be no turning back.”
I nodded firmly. “I have no regrets.”
Isabella looked at me, a flicker of pity in her eyes. “I chose you myself. You were the most perfect candidate for the heir’s wife. Of all the socialites in Italy, you alone possess such grace, such tact. Lorenzo is a fool.”
From the sofa, a woman named Mrs. Benedetta let out a soft, dry laugh. “Lorenzo has the temperament of his late mother. Just as impulsive, just as blind.”
Isabella had no biological children. Lorenzo was her husband’s son from a previous marriage. After his birth mother died, Isabella married into the family and raised him as her own.
It was only because his stepmother was the Don’s sister—and the Don himself was childless—that Lorenzo was named the heir.
To solidify his position, Isabella had specifically chosen me, from the powerful Rossi family, for him. Who could have known he would lose his head over a girl like Chiara?
Just then, a maid hurried into the room. “Madam, Mr. Lorenzo and Miss Chiara are here, requesting an audience.”
Isabella’s expression hardened. “Let them in.”
Lorenzo’s eyes landed on me kneeling on the floor. He froze for a second before his face twisted into a scowl. “Alessia, did you come crying to my mother?”
He turned his furious gaze on me, his voice laced with venom. “I made it perfectly clear this morning. I am not marrying you. Do you think you can use my mother to force my hand?”
“I thought you were dignified and respectful, but it turns out you’re just like every other woman, desperate for the title of the heir’s wife. You are a profound disappointment.”
My mother, Caterina, was so enraged her face had turned ashen. She was about to retort, but Lorenzo had already taken Chiara’s hand and knelt on one knee before Isabella.
“Mother, I love Chiara. I’m begging you, please approve our marriage.”
Isabella’s tone was flat. “Lorenzo, your engagement to Alessia was a pact, settled long ago. It is the cornerstone of our family alliance. By doing this, what position do you put the Rossi family in?”
Lorenzo looked up, his expression defiant. “Mother, I only want to marry the woman I love. My engagement to Alessia was an arrangement. I didn’t know any better then; I thought that was what love felt like. But when I met Chiara, I finally understood. I love a woman who is vibrant and free, like she is.”
“I refuse to be trapped in a loveless marriage with Alessia. Please, cancel my engagement to the Rossi family and allow me to marry Chiara.”
Chiara, pressed close to Lorenzo, added loudly, “Mrs. Isabella, Lorenzo may be your stepson, but he is a man, not a pawn. Does he not have the right to choose his own wife?”
Isabella let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Lorenzo is not just my stepson. He is the heir to this family. His wife’s position is of the utmost importance.”
Chiara lifted her chin, her voice growing sharper. “I am more than capable of filling that role. I will not bring shame to Lorenzo. These sheltered socialites, raised in a greenhouse, are all so dull and boring. All they learn is useless etiquette. They’ve never seen the real world. They’re nothing but shallow trophies!”
Her words were meant to demean me, but she had forgotten that every woman in the room, including Isabella, was one of the “dull and boring trophies” she was so vehemently insulting.
The temperature in the drawing-room plummeted. The faces of the matriarchs turned to stone.
Chapter 3
Isabella waved a dismissive hand.” I understand. I will speak to your father. Now, both of you, leave.”
Beaming, Lorenzo pulled Chiara from the room. Isabella turned her gaze to me.” Alessia, you will receive official word at your family home in a few days. Prepare yourself.”
My mother and I walked out of the estate. Just as we reached our car, Lorenzo stepped into our path.
He confronted me, his face flushed with anger.” What did you say to my mother? I’m telling you, Chiara and I have already exchanged engagement rings. Don’t even think about breaking us up!”
“I’ll send someone to collect the ring I gave you. I know that losing the position of heir’s wife is a blow, so I’ll have some jewelry sent over as compensation. But you are forbidden from bothering me or my mother again.”
I wrenched my arm from his grasp.” Lorenzo, do you really believe that I, Alessia Rossi, am that desperate for you? That I need to scheme my way into your family? Rest assured, I am not that kind of woman, and I would never stoop so low.”
Chiara sneered from beside him.” I hate you hypocritical socialites, always pretending to be above it all. Alessia, if you really didn’t care, you wouldn’t have run crying to Mrs. Isabella. She already dislikes me, and I bet it’s because you’ve been poisoning her mind against me.”
“Besides, who are the Rossis , anyway? What do you have to be so proud of? I’m different. My father is the biggest arms dealer in Europe. He will be Lorenzo’s strongest backer. What do you have that compares to me?”
“My dad adores me. If I don’t get what I want, he’ll use his business to influence the Don’s decision. Do you think the Don wants a powerful business partner, or a useless woman from some minor family?”
“When I marry Lorenzo, he will take over the entire Mafia. Then you will kneel before me like a dog and beg me to spare your family!”
I was stunned by her stupidity. She openly threatened the Don with outside influence. If the Don heard those words, the consequences would be unimaginable. The Don was also still very much alive. Yet she dared to speak of Lorenzo taking over the Mafia in the Don’s own territory.
These words would surely reach the Don’s ears without my help. I hoped she would still have this same reckless arrogance then.
I took a step back.” In that case, I wish you and Lorenzo a long and happy life together.”
My mother was trembling with rage. If I hadn’t been holding her arm, she would have slapped Chiara across the face.
On the drive home, my mother looked at me with deep worry.” I’ve heard that the Don, Giovanni, is a cold and ruthless man. He’s thirty-five and still unmarried. There are rumors he was badly injured in Sicily years ago… I wonder if there’s an issue with his health…”
I took her hand.” Mama, don’t worry. A daughter of the Rossi family will not be wronged, no matter who she marries. You have to trust me.”
“Besides, haven’t you noticed? Despite all the rumors, whenever the core family members speak of Don Giovanni, it is with nothing but awe and absolute obedience. I am certain he is no ordinary man.”
“And once I marry him,” I added with a small, sharp smile, “Lorenzo will have to respectfully call me ‘Madre’.”
My mother couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.” Oh, you wicked child.”
When my father came home and heard what had transpired at the estate, he let out a cold laugh.” Good riddance. We’re better off without that fool.”
“Besides, Don Giovanni is far more capable than the rumors suggest. Marrying him might not be a bad thing for you. And what that arms dealer’s daughter said today… she has crossed a line she can’t uncross.”
My father lit a cigar, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke.” In our world, you never allow an outsider to use business to blackmail internal family matters. She thinks her father’s arms trade can sway the Don? How naive.”
Three days later, the news that Lorenzo had broken our engagement to marry Chiara, the arms dealer’s daughter, spread like wildfire through Italy’s high society. Overnight, I was a laughingstock.
Friends called one after another. Some offered genuine sympathy, others barely concealed their schadenfreude.
But by breaking the engagement, Lorenzo had made a powerful enemy of the Rossi family. We were the leaders of the northern family alliance. Since he had betrayed our pact, we were no longer obligated to smooth his path in our business dealings.
At a family council, my father announced, “As of today, we are terminating all business partnerships connected to Lorenzo’s faction. Since he chose the arms dealer’s daughter, let the arms trade support his position as heir.”
Chapter 4
The arms dealer began boasting everywhere, bragging that his daughter would soon be the family’s matriarch and holding court at every gala.These businessmen only understood money; they had no grasp of true power dynamics.They made a lot of noise, believing they had already won.
At one private party, the arms dealer had laughed and said, “What are these old families worth? Can they compare to my arms business? My network spans all of Europe.Even the Don has to consider my importance.Lorenzo marrying my daughter is a great honor for them.”
Word of this quickly reached the ears of Lorenzo’s father.I heard he smashed several antique vases in his study.In the end, it was Isabella who restored order, telling the family with a frigid expression, “Forget it.Lorenzo was never my blood.If he wishes to destroy his own future, I cannot stop him.”
I had no time to concern myself with outside gossip.I was busy preparing my trousseau for my marriage to the Don.
I took Maria to Bellacorte, the most exclusive antique jewelry shop in the city.I’d heard they had just acquired a collection of 18th-century treasures.Don Giovanni was a collector of antiques; I thought a piece of historical jewelry would make a fine wedding gift.He would appreciate the gesture.
I was just saying to the clerk, “Please show me that emerald necklace.”
Before the clerk could respond, an arrogant voice cut in from behind me.”Bag up all of these antique necklaces.I’m buying them all.”
I turned.It was Chiara.She was dressed in a fire-red leather jacket, dangling her car keys, and smirking at me.”Well, if it isn’t Alessia.Sorry, but I’ve decided I want these.”
I smiled faintly.The daughter of a nouveau-riche upstart like her likely had no idea what these antiques were worth.
I made a polite gesture.”There’s an unwritten rule in our circle.For jewelry of this caliber, the store only accepts certified bank drafts.If Miss Chiara can produce one, by all means, they are all yours.”
Chiara pulled a check for one hundred thousand euros from her Hermès bag and slapped it on the counter.”Keep the change.”
Several other socialites who had been waiting to view the jewelry burst into hushed laughter.
“My God, does she think one hundred thousand euros can buy out Bellacorte’s entire antique collection?”
“She’d be lucky if that bought the clasp on one of them.”
“I thought the future wife of the heir would have more funds.I suppose this is all she’s worth.”
Chiara’s face fell, her cheeks flushing.She glared at the nervous clerk.”How much for all of them?”
The clerk wiped sweat from his brow.”The total is… one million, three hundred thousand euros.”
She slammed her hand on the counter.”This is a robbery! They’re just some old necklaces.How dare you charge so much? Do you know who my husband is? He’s the heir to the Mafia! With one word from him, he could shut down your shop in minutes!”
The clerk trembled.”Miss Chiara, please, have mercy.These are priceless antiques, they’re all priced fairly.We would never dare to overcharge.”
I spoke calmly.”Miss Chiara, are you purchasing them or not? If not, please step aside.There are others waiting.”
Chiara’s face turned crimson.She pointed a trembling finger at me.”You! You’re doing this on purpose to humiliate me! Alessia, you couldn’t beat me for a man, so now you’re resorting to these petty tricks!”
I was about to respond when Lorenzo burst through the door.He immediately moved to shield Chiara, his eyes cold as steel as he stared at me.”Alessia, Chiara isn’t like you.She doesn’t understand all the complicated rules of your high society.Humiliating her in public won’t change a thing.I’m still not going to marry you.”
“Chiara is guileless, as innocent as a child.How could she possibly withstand your scheming? Does it make you happy to set her up like this?”
“The more you do this, the more I feel for her.Alessia, is this how a lady from a noble family behaves? Wasting all your energy to attack Chiara?”
“You have truly disappointed me.The way you’re acting now, you aren’t even qualified to be my mistress.”
“I was going to make you my mistress after I married Chiara.I would have given you a title.Now, unless you kneel and beg me, you will never have that chance.”
Lorenzo’s words plunged the entire jewelry store into a stunned silence.Everyone stared at him, shocked that the family’s heir would say something so deeply humiliating in public.
I felt the crowd’s gazes of pity and anger.But I paid them no mind.I gave a cold laugh.”Lorenzo, stop dreaming.No one is interested in being your mistress.I am about to marry…”
“Everyone in Italy knows I’ve fucked you rotten.Besides me, who would want you now? Don’t be so shameless!” Lorenzo was suddenly furious.His words were vile.
“Alessia, all you can show off is your money.You’re still unmarried at your age.No matter how rich you are, people will just laugh at you.They will call you an old woman nobody wants.” Chiara came up behind me.Her platform boot kicked the back of my leg.It forced me to my knees.”You should thank me.I don’t mind Lorenzo keeping you as a mistress.Just bow your head to us three times.Tomorrow I’ll clean out the doghouse at home for you to live in!”
Pain shot through my knees.I tried to stand up.But she pinned me down with her foot on my back.Chiara grabbed a handful of my hair.She tore at my scalp.
“Let go!” I tried to break free from Chiara’s grip.But I was no match for her strength.Excruciating pain spread across my scalp.My vision blurred with tears.And Lorenzo just stood there, watching coldly.
Chiara forced my head down.She gloated, “You’re just a cheap whore deep down.You always act so proper.But you really want to latch onto the Mafia’s heir, don’t you? Now I’m giving you that chance to be his mistress!”
My forehead slammed into the floor.My heart was already dead.She yanked my head up again by the hair.I looked at Lorenzo through my tears.I couldn’t believe he had no feelings left for our past.He was letting them humiliate me in front of everyone.
Just as I saw a flicker of pity in Lorenzo’s eyes, a cold male voice came from behind me.”Who wants to make my fiancée a mistress?”
Instantly, everyone in the shop froze. They all looked toward the door. Then they all stood up and lowered their heads.
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