His to Claim, His to Ruin

Chapter 10

Lana

“The surgery went well. She's stable. We will transfer her back to the private room for further observation.” Doctor Vander Ross, a talented surgeon in his mid-30s, performed the surgery on my mother.

I can now finally breathe without fish bones stuck in my lungs.

“You're a godsend, Doc Vander,” I called him, grateful for his help.

The Doctor took his face mask off as he spoke. “No problem. The Don already told me about your mother.”

A small smile crept on my lips after hearing Salvatore being mentioned. Yeah, it was him. His connections who saved my mother.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I hope you don't regret marrying into the Mancini family.” There was a hint of warning in his tone.

Vander Ross disappeared from my sight with a playful smirk on his lips.

He left me standing outside the operating room with my lips half-opened. Marrying the famous mafia boss isn't just an easy task to clear off your schedule. Now that I have his surname, having a normal life has become a huge problem.

Sage visited the hospital after hearing what happened to my mother. Meanwhile, I never left the hospital and wrote a letter of excuse to please Sandy for another chance. I can't leave my mother alone, especially now that my father isn't present most of the time.

“Now I know,” Sage couldn't hide the concern in her voice. “I'm so sorry, Lana. Sandy will understand your situation.”

My smile dropped. “I don't think so. The club was short-staffed last time and I still went home. Sandy might have been aching to remove me.”

“Sandy said you were taken by Salvatore. I was worried about you, Lana. Is it true?” The sound of my best friend, Sage, makes my heart thump.

I couldn't look at her. I rolled my fingers on my palm as I hoisted my gaze at her. Slowly, I bobbed my head as an answer.

Sage gasped. Disbelief is written all over her face. I can sense she's puzzled, curious, and even confused about what's happening.

“It's complex, Sage,” that's the only thing I can say.

My best friend didn't stop. “Our co-workers gossip a lot about you being Salvatore's wife.”

“Sage—” she didn't let me finish my word.

“Of course, I know! Is it funny, right? How can you be Salvatore's wife? He's dangerous! And I believe a man like him won't give a damn about a poor person like us. I mean, babe, no offense, but rich, rich, rich men prefer a woman who has influence!”

She got it. Bingo. It's just that she's wrong about her first remark.

I wonder what Salvatore had seen in me. I can work for him, in stable feeding his horses, in the kitchen cooking three dishes at a time but to be his wife—is truly such a puzzle only I can't solve.

“What are they saying about me, Sage?” I couldn't help but get curious.

“They are calling you a w***e. Untouchable. They said you did something that infuriated the Don. Perhaps you stole something he possesses and your marriage is just a public stunt. Others said you're only lying for clout!”

I didn't give her a reaction. “What do you think? Do you believe them?”

“Of course not! You know better than anyone. Salvatore Mancini is dangerous. And you, my best friend, only have 6 months to live. Wasting those remaining days is such a waste of time!”

A small smile crept on my lips. It wasn't a bitter one, but a smile of acceptance.

Sage has always been optimistic about life. Telling her about my marriage to Salvatore is unnecessary. The fact that I knew she would protect my name on a table when I'm not present is enough to convince myself there is still someone who believes in me.

When Sage left, Owen appeared out of the blue. He dragged me inside the van without saying anything like I'm some sort of trash he can bring whenever he wants.

“I'll obviously tell Salvatore about what you did!” My anger wouldn't subside regardless.

Owen said, “It is the Don's personal request. To assist Madame Lana on her way home.”

“But you dragged me. You didn't assist me!”

“Apologies. Rest assured it won't happen again.”

Ha! I won't let this slide.

Owen can call me however he wants but I'm definitely gonna raise it to Salvatore and demand an answer. I can walk completely, I'm not crippled. His way of dragging me out of the hospital is questionable. His boss might be the one funding my family's needs, but I know better, and I don't deserve it.

My steps are heavy, fast-paced, and my hands are turned into fists as I walk inside his vast mansion. I was told he's in his office.

The door of his office is wide open. Ceasing abruptly caught me off guard. Salvatore has a visitor.

“We can't do anything about the shipment, Don. The Roswells are the ones who are responsible for it.” A man I haven't seen is talking to Salvatore.

Out of the blue, he craned his neck as he gently closed his eyes. Salvatore later revealed the darkness and authority beneath his peepers.

“Then go find a f*****g solution. Goddamn it!” He almost lost it and punched the man in his face. “Once the goods aren't delivered on the estimated time of arrival, I'm gonna lose billions and a partnership. I warned you enough about the Roswells!” His voice thundered inside his office as it echoed like thunder that made me jolt.

“Cindy is doing her best to communicate with our clients. Rest assured everything will be fine and—”

A loud slap landed on his face. As someone who's watching like a scared cat outside, I couldn't help but create a soft sound and he caught me right at that moment.

His eyes are now in my direction. Behind the vast door, with widened eyes and a half-opened mouth.

“Tell Cindy to see me at my office once she's done. If this misunderstanding can't be fixed, I'll offer your head to our clients. Do you understand?” His voice was low, but very alarming. It's a hard-pitch one, authoritative, and he can end your life in just a word.

“Y-Yes Don.” And the man left his office like a scared cat.

Salvatore's tie is loosened. His eyes quickly caught me. He hoisted his hand and drank the remaining alcohol through the glass he was holding.

“You came back late,” Salvatore enunciated the moment he saw me.

“That doesn't mean I give your men permission to drag me out of the hospital!” I exclaimed, pissed off as I was fighting for my rights.

Salvatore snatched my arm. He saw my pale skin had turned red like tomatoes. His eyes darkened, as well as his jaw clenching. There was a glimmer of annoyance I saw in his eyes before he let go of my arms.

“See? I may be indebted but I don't deserve this kind of treatment! I can walk, you can speak to me, and your men can do the same without the use of force.” I couldn't hide my anger while talking to the feared mafia boss.

“I hear you muffin.” Now his tone softened.

A long silence crept between the two of us. I remained staring at my swelling arms as I bit my lower lip.

“Thank you…” A small voice came out from my lips without looking at him. “My mother wouldn't survive a day without you.” And I'm very aware of it. Donor hunting is fast thanks to Salvatore's connections.

My little-to-nothing salary can't afford Vander Ross, but because of Salvatore, I can finally feel at ease knowing that my mother is in good hands.

A smirk crept onto his face. “Words are not enough. Work hard for it.”