You were married to Vito Cardini, the most feared mafia boss in the country. And now, nine months pregnant, you were trapped in the underground medical room he built. You lay on the bed, your body trembling as waves of pain tore through your stomach.
“Vito, please!” you cried, clutching your swollen belly. “Something’s wrong! It hurts!”
Vito stood a few feet away, adjusting his cufflinks like he couldn’t be bothered. “You’ll be fine, sweetheart.”
“Fine? I can’t even breathe! I need a hospital!”
He turned toward you, his expression unreadable. “You can handle it. I already gave you the medicine. It will delay the labor.”
“Delay it?” You stared at him, horrified. “Why would you do that?”
His eyes darkened. “Because Lyra is giving birth tonight.”
Your heart dropped. “Lyra? Your brother’s wife? She’s—Vito, are you insane?”
He walked closer, his voice calm and cold. “Before my brother died, we made a blood oath. Whoever’s wife gives birth to a son first will inherit the west coast territory. His wife deserves that chance. Her husband’s gone. She’s got nothing.”
“And me? What about your child?”
He placed a hand on your cheek, his thumb brushing your skin as if he pitied you. “You have my love. That’s all that matters.”
You slapped his hand away, tears spilling down your face. “I don’t want your love if it means my baby suffers!”
He turned away, ignoring your cry. “You’ll be fine. I’ll come back after she gives birth.”
“Vito! Don’t leave me!”
The sound of the lock clicked, and then silence.
You screamed, begging for help until your voice cracked. Hours passed. Sweat soaked your hospital gown. The contractions came stronger, faster. You crawled off the bed, dragging yourself to the door.
“Please… someone… anyone…” you whispered.
Then you felt it warm liquid running down your legs. Your water broke. Panic set in. “No, no, no—please, not now.”
The door opened suddenly. Aria, Vito’s younger sister, stepped in. Her red lips curved into a smile.
“Aria,” you gasped, relief flooding your voice. “Please, help me. I can’t endure this pain.”
She crouched in front of you, eyes gleaming with hate. “Why should I help you? You ruined my brother. He doesn’t see anyone but you.”
She kicked you in the ribs. Pain shot through your body and you screamed. “You disgust me,” she said, pulling something from her pocket a small black snake. “You should’ve never married him.”
“No—Aria, please!”
The snake bit your arm. You shrieked, clutching the wound as your vision blurred. “Why… why are you doing this?”
“Because you’re not good enough for my brother.” She stood up and walked out, leaving you on the cold floor, gasping.
The poison burned through your veins. You could barely breathe. You tried to crawl, tried to call again. “Help me… please…”
The door burst open again. It was Enzo, Vito’s second-in-command. His face turned pale when he saw you. “Holy hell—” He knelt beside you, checking your pulse.
“Boss,” he said quickly over the phone. “Your wife—she’s not fine. She’s fading fast.”
On the other end, Vito’s voice was calm, almost bored. “I told you not to disturb me. She can handle it.”
“Boss—”
The line went dead.
Lyra’s voice echoed in the background of Vito’s room. “She’s just acting, Vito. Trying to get your attention again. You know how she tried to make me sign the inheritance papers.”
Vito sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”
Meanwhile, deep underground, you lay half-conscious, your vision fading. The pain, the poison, the contractions it was too much.
You looked at the ceiling and whispered through tears, “If I ever live again… I’ll never choose you.”
Hours later, Lyra delivered a healthy baby boy. Everyone celebrated.
Vito finally stood up. “Prepare for my wife’s delivery,” he told Enzo when he came back.
Enzo didn’t speak. He just looked down.
“Boss,” he said quietly, “your wife and your baby are gone.”
Vito froze. His face went blank.