THE MAFIA’s HEART(Willed to my stepson)

Pearl🌸 I winced as my eyes adjusted to the bright lights of the hospital ward. My body ached all over and a dull pain throbbed at the back of my head. Hello, Mrs Preston. I'm glad you're finally awake, came the soft voice of our family doctor as she scribbled something down on her clipboard. Where is my husband? My eyes scanned the room, searching for the only face I needed. He'll be here soon. You know, if you ever need help, you can reach out. This is the second time in just the year. Is your husband abusing you? I looked away. My throat felt tight and tears clouded my vision. I'm fine, Doctor. And I love my husband, I whispered. She sighed. It's obvious you love him… but does he love you too? You don't get to be the judge of that, I snapped. Just then, the door opened, and Ryan stepped in, handsome as ever. For a moment all my pain vanished. My painkiller, I breathed. He smiled and leaned in to kiss my forehead. How is she, Doctor? He asked. She'll be fine. Just a few bruises, but….. Her voice faltered. Her expression dropped. She lost the baby. I froze. The news hung heavy in the air. Echoing in my head. My baby….. I felt my stomach, hot tears spilling from my eyes. My heart broke and I felt suffocated. My fifth miscarriage. I had so many plans. So much hope. And I lost it again. I'm so sorry, baby. Ryan spoke softly dropping to his knees beside me. His eyes glistened with tears and guilt. I don't know what came over me. Same excuse again. Over and over. He'd snapped and hit me till am unconscious. But I couldn't leave. I love him too much to ever walk away from our love. It's okay. I whispered, brushing a tear from his cheek. We’ll try again. And…..maybe you could go for therapy. Everything will be fine. His body tensed instantly and he pulled away. Therapy? He snapped, Anger visible in every syllable. I thought we'd talked about this. Are you saying I'm sick? You think I'm crazy?! No, Ryan, I just felt…… Shut the f**k up, Pearl! He cut me off. I flinched. The discharge papers will be ready and the driver will take you home. He stated coldly as he stormed out of the room. A Few Hours later. The car pulled into the driveway. The driver stepped out and opened the door. Agatha, our cook, rushed over, reaching for my arm. Welcome back, ma'am. How are you feeling? I'm fine, Agatha. Everyone is in the dining room and I made your favorite. Thank you. I forced a small smile and stepped inside. My feet dragged across the floor and my body still ached. But nothing prepared me for what I saw in the dining room. My usual seat beside Ryan was occupied. A woman I’d never seen before sat there. And in my mother-in-law's arms….. a baby. I froze. Baby…. I didn't know we had guests. Who is she? I asked trying to stay calm. She's your replacement, you barren witch. Of course, her usual insult. But I was too tired to fight. Ryan, what's going on? He didn't look up from his plate of food and kept eating. My mother-in-law threw a stack of papers at me. Sign those papers and leave. I picked them up and saw it. Divorce papers. With Ryan’s signature. You want a divorce, Ryan? After everything we've been through? My voice cracked. What exactly have you been through together? My mother-in-law stood. Her voice was sharp and filled with mockery. You're so weak. You can't even carry a baby in your womb, for the past ten years. That's not my fault. I said swallowing tears. You know it's not. Then whose fault is it? She stepped closer. You want to blame your pathetic womb on the few punches Ryan gave you? Shame on you, Pearl. Look…..She held the baby up proudly. Ryan finally made me a grandmother. Something you can never be able to. Her words struck harder than Ryan's fists ever had. But it was the baby, his baby….. that broke me. The living proof of his betrayal. With shaking legs, I approached Ryan. You were cheating on me? Tears blurred my vision. I couldn't contain my hurt. Answer me! I screamed. My hands swept the table, sending dishes crashing to the floor. He stood abruptly and grabbed my hair. How dare you! He yanked my hair closer, bringing my ear to his lips. His voice was low. If you were a farmer, would you keep sowing in a barren land just because you're attached to it, or in a fertile land that is capable of yielding produce? My throat felt tight. My tears fell faster. Answer me, Pearl! The fertile land…. Exactly. So tell me. Are you fertile? I shook my head. But I love you, Ryan. And I can give you children, if you'd stop hitting me when I'm pregnant. Too late, Pearl. Now sign the papers, he said shoving the pen into my hand. You don't want me adding to your bruises. With my hands trembling, I hastily signed the papers. Please….. I dropped to my knees. Don't throw me out. I have nowhere to go. That sounds like a you problem. I'll do anything, Ryan. Please, I'll help raise the baby and I won't get in her way. Just don't throw me out. Please! I crawled towards the other woman. His woman. Desperate. She pulled her baby closer, her face twisting in disgust. The child wailed, as if in support of his mom’s hate. Get away from my grandchild, witch. Are you trying to curse him? My mother-in-law taunted me. Ryan, get this b***h out of here!. And without hesitation. The man I married ten years ago. My first love and first everything. Dragged me out of the house like filth. The house we built together. My blood dripped on the floor from where the IV band had ripped out. The rain hit hard. It drenched me. Even the sky wept for me. I was Cold. Hungry. Bleeding and Alone. I kept walking with no destination. But one thing kept nagging at me in the middle of my pain and shame. Revenge. He stole my motherhood. Betrayed my love. Destroyed me. And for that reason, he would pay. Ryan must pay! I collapsed on the sidewalk and as the darkness pulled me under. The word echoed within me. Revenge. >>>>>>>>> I woke up in a strange room. My arm was hooked to an IV. A bright light flashes in my eyes. Probably a nurse. Then the door opened. And everyone in the room dispersed. A man walked in. With so much authority. An aura that breeds fear. He was tall, maybe in his sixties. Silver streaked black hair. Piercing brown eyes. His gold Patek Philippe watch and Tom Ford shoes screamed money and luxury. More money than I'd ever seen in my life. He sat across from me. Who are you? And what were you doing on the street? His voice was deep and intimidating. My name is Pe…. Pearl. He kept staring at me. I took a deep breath to muster the courage. I needed to be brave if I was ever going to survive this. My name is Pearl. And I need your help. His brows lifted but his expression remained unreadable. My help? I don't offer free favors. What can you give me in return for my help? I want revenge and I'm willing to do anything for it. He leaned back and folded his arms. His eyes studied every inch of me. Anything? I nodded. Then marry me. I blinked. What?! Marry me, he repeated. And I'll help you get revenge on whoever. But I…I just got divorced. I blurted out. Besides you look old enough to be my father. I don't care and I'm sixty-five. What? I'm only twenty-eight. He shrugged casually. Make your choice, Pearl. I hesitated. This was madness. But I had nothing to lose. Considering he saved me, a stranger he doesn't know. I guess he is kind. If he turns out to be a human trafficker, I might as well die trying to get my revenge. Fine, I whispered. I’ll marry you. Good decision, Pearl. I'm Don Edorado Valentini. He turned toward the door. Buckle up. We'll be landing in Italy in ten minutes. Wait. Italy? Are we on a plane?! Yes. He replied without glancing back.