At my wedding, my fiancé abandoned me at the altar and walked straight toward my sister, Hazel. All the guests mocked me. Someone remarked, “As expected, there isn’t a man in the world who won’t fall for Hazel—this is already Ivy’s fifth boyfriend who has confessed his feelings to Hazel.” Hazel put on a helpless look, "Sorry, Ivy. I was just trying to help you test your fiancé’s loyalty. Looks like I’ve messed up your wedding again." I stood there, humiliated, but then Alessio Vitale—the most feared mafia boss in New York—stepped forward. He took my hand, looked at the priest, and married me instead. After that, Hazel tried more than once to catch Alessio’s eye. But every time, he called her out in front of everyone. “Hazel, you should know your place. Stop throwing yourself at me,” he’d say, his voice cold and sharp. For three years, Alessio gave me everything. He made me feel safe, cherished, like the luckiest woman in the world. One day, I came home early from a business trip and wanted to surprise him. When I reached his study, his underboss’s voice rang out from inside. “Don Vitale… the Donna’s sister is pregnant with your child. What if she finds out?” Alessio’s answer came low and flat. “Hazel and I… it was just a mistake. Ivy must never know. Keep it from her. I’ll make it up to her later.” I was stunned by the revelation. My heart ached at his lies. Instead of confronting Alessio, I turned away and quietly returned to our bedroom. He had promised me honesty when he married me. Yet, now he lied. So I would leave him—and I would never look back.
