Abandoned, I Became the Mafia Don's Beloved

To become the Don of the Henry family, my husband, Jesse Henry, chose to divorce me and marry Lina, the daughter of the Mitchell family's Don. He promised that in a year, once he took the godfather's seat, he would remarry me. He said I was the only Donna he would ever acknowledge. But his promise never came true. Instead, I heard that his Donna was pregnant. Everyone thought that I, the woman so hopelessly in love, would forgive him and keep waiting. But in the end, I quietly left and vanished completely from his life. Five years later, I ran into him at a luxury boutique. The salesgirl was packing up the ties I'd picked out. The moment she saw him, her tone turned impossibly eager. "Don, you're here. The suits Donna picked for you are ready." Jesse gave a slight nod, his gaze lingering on the tie in my hand. "Put everything she bought on my tab." I politely declined and set a card on the counter. He smirked. "After all these years, you still can't forget me. You even remember my favorite tie color." "Once you're done throwing your little fit, come back. I'll remarry you. Lina's kid is older now—you can treat him like your own." I smiled and said nothing. He didn't know I was only there to pick out gifts for my husband's family members. Take care of his child? I have my own little treasure. Chapter 1 The moment I stepped outside, I saw the place surrounded by people in Henry family uniforms. Jesse stood by a car, watching me. His voice was pure command. "Get in. I'm taking you home." I knew if I didn't get in, he'd never let me leave. So I got in. "Where do you live?" Jesse asked. "Margaret Apartments." "That dump? Why the hell would you live there?" He paused, and his tone suddenly softened. "It's close to the estate we used to share. You've been… thinking about me." "And why aren't you wearing any jewelry? Your clothes, too. Not a single decent designer piece on you. You used to be so vain." I couldn't help but laugh. I don't live there. My husband bought that place for me. Because that's where my father died. I wanted to keep it as a memorial. I came back this time because my father's grave lease was up and needed to be renewed. As for the jewelry, I never liked wearing it. I used to wear it because I wanted his attention and affection. Now I understand. Someone who truly loves you doesn't need you to decorate yourself with those things. And my clothes? All custom-made by top designers my husband hired. Of course, there's no logo. But Jesse thought I was smiling because I was reminiscing about our sweet life together. He kept going: "I know you still love me. Now that you're back, I'll keep my promise. We'll remarry. Just one thing—" "Lina and I have a child. After we remarry, you need to take care of him. Treat him like your own son…" "You're delusional. I don't love you anymore, and I would never remarry you!" I cut him off coldly. But he didn't believe me. His smile only deepened, his eyes dropping to the pocket where I'd put the ties. "What? Upset that Lina and I have a kid?" "And if you really didn't want to remarry me, why come back? You must've heard I've fully taken control of the Henry family. That's why you came back. And you even bought me a tie." I glanced down. Six ties in there, gifts for my husband's family members. He thought they were for him. It was almost funny. "They're not for you," I said. He reached over and picked them up, running his fingers over the fabric, looking at me with nothing but tenderness. "Still denying it. The brand, the style, the colors. All my favorites." He draped one around his neck right there. "I know you're angry about Lina and the kid. But you have to understand, I married her and had a child with her only to take the Don's seat. Only as Don could I protect you, give you a better life. You are the only Donna I've ever acknowledged." I rolled my eyes. I used to buy him ties from this brand all the time. I picked this brand again because everything I own, clothes, jewelry, is custom-made by my husband's people. I couldn't think of another brand on short notice for gifts. And his so-called protection? He watched my father get bullied by the Mitchell family. Right after Jesse and I divorced, Lina was terrified we'd rekindle things. She had people quietly crush my father, using him to threaten me into leaving for good. My father was already old, but they forced him into dirty, grueling work. Jesse knew. All of it. But he stayed silent so his marriage to Lina would go smoothly. And now he calls it protection. I don't need that kind of protection. I closed my eyes, then yanked the tie out of his hands. "I don't need your protection anymore." "Isabella, I'm done watching you throw tantrums. You're coming back with me." Without another word, Jesse turned the car around and headed straight for the estate we used to share. I saw red. I grabbed the door handle and yanked at it wildly. "Are you insane?! Let me out!" Jesse frowned and slammed on the brakes. "My patience is limited. There's a limit to your little fits. Keep this up, and don't even think about remarrying me!" Then he crossed his arms, watching me with that smug, patient look, like he was absolutely certain I'd beg him to take me back. I let out a cold laugh, shoved the door open, and walked out without looking back. Two steps in, I turned to face him. My voice was calm. "I never wanted to remarry you." That wasn't all. I already had a husband who loved me deeply, and a child. Chapter 2 With that, I walked away without looking back. I thought I'd made myself clear enough. He wouldn't come again. But the moment I opened my door and stepped inside, a hand shot out and blocked it, then pushed into my apartment. I nearly jumped out of my skin and looked up in horror. It was Jesse. "Get out!" I said coldly. "Years apart and your temper's gotten worse." He looked at me with that half-smile, about to say more, when the phone in his pocket rang. He frowned at the name on the screen, but answered anyway. "Jesse, did you get the suits? Why aren't you back yet?" A syrupy female voice came through the line. It was Lina, the woman he'd married for the alliance. Her voice used to make my skin crawl. Now, hearing it, I felt nothing. "Coming back soon. Something urgent came up. I'm hanging up." Jesse's voice was cold. He ended the call. "Your Donna's looking for you. You should go." I held the door wide open, my tone flat. "Jealous, hearing her voice?" Jesse smirked, reaching up to touch my face. I twisted away hard. If he touched me, my insanely jealous husband would find out and chop his hand off. Jesse's hand froze midair. The next second, a tiny figure pushed open the bedroom door, rubbing sleepy eyes and toddling over with arms outstretched. He mistook the wrong person and threw his little arms around Jesse, babbling, "Mommy, why'd you take so long?" "This is…" Jesse stared, completely stunned. "This is my son. Luke Taylor." I walked over and scooped him into my arms, soothing him softly. "Go back to sleep, baby. Mommy's home." Our faces pressed together. We looked exactly alike. "He… has your last name?" Jesse looked at me, barely able to contain his delight. I nodded, not understanding why he was suddenly so happy. The child took my name only because my husband wanted to protect him. "How old is he?" Jesse's smile widened, his voice trembling. "None of your business. You need to leave!" I said coldly. But he acted like he didn't hear me. He stepped closer, reaching out to touch the boy's face. I pulled the child away and glared at him. "Is he… five? Is he…" Jesse asked, but his tone was certain. "Our child?" I'd been confused about why he was smiling. Now I laughed out loud in pure disbelief. "Jesse, what are you thinking?! We already—" "Jesse! Found you!" My words were cut off by a sudden voice. Then I saw a woman fling herself into Jesse's arms, cup his face, and press her lips to his. Jesse yanked her off immediately, his eyes darting to me, his expression annoyed. "Lina, what are you doing here? Were you following me?" His voice was loud enough that the child in my arms started to stir. I quickly patted his back and lulled him back to sleep. Lina pretended not to hear. She clung to Jesse's arm and looked at me. "Isabella, don't mind us. Jesse and I have been married for years. This is just how we are." Jesse didn't push her away. He looked at me, waiting for my reaction. But I didn't even blink. My voice was calm. "I don't mind. But if you two are still in my home, I'm calling the cops for breaking and entering." Jesse's brows furrowed instantly, like he hadn't expected that reaction. Lina glanced at the child in my arms, then back at Jesse. She tested the waters. "Isabella, you have a kid now? Are you married?" I nodded. Lina let out a scoff, her voice dripping with mockery. "You left Jesse and married some broke loser? And popped out another little loser in this dump?" "You must've heard Jesse took the Don's seat and came crawling back for him to marry you. Stop dreaming about being his Donna. With your status, he threw you away before, and he won't marry you now!" "I suggest you get lost before you're dragged out like a dog!" "Shut up!" Jesse cut in suddenly. He looked at me, his face full of desperate hope. "Isabella, I'll remarry you. Tell her. You're just using someone to make me jealous. That child is mine!" Only then did I finally look Jesse in the eye and crush his fantasy without mercy. "No. My husband and I are very much in love. This is our child." "Jesse, you and I will never remarry. Not in this lifetime." Chapter 3 "Enough!" Jesse snapped, and dragged Lina out with him. I thought he'd finally understood and given up. I carried the child into the bedroom. A while later, the doorbell rang. I frowned, puzzled. I figured my husband had lost his keys, so I went to open the door. But it was Jesse standing there. "Why are you back?" My voice was pure irritation. I pushed the door to shut it. He forced it open and walked in, pacing around the apartment as he talked. "I didn't know Lina put a tracker on my phone. She followed me here." "Don't worry. I won't let her have the chance to bother you again." "That's your business. I don't care. Now get out!" I pointed at the door, annoyed and exhausted. "You don't care?" Jesse let out a soft laugh. "Then why do you still keep our photo?" He turned, holding up a picture frame. In the photo, he was on one knee proposing. I was laughing, tears of surprise and joy all over my face. Back then, after the divorce, I was heartbroken for a long time. I used to hold onto anything related to him and cry. But after my father died, I left this place with my current husband. I never had the chance to pack up what was inside. I walked over, took the photo, and tossed it straight into the trash. "Just old stuff. Forgot to throw it out." Jesse let out a helpless sigh. "Isabella, I thought you'd changed. But you're the same as ever. You see Lina and you get jealous, you throw fits, and you still love me." I let out a cold laugh. "I'll say it one last time. I. Don't. Love you." Jesse suddenly closed the distance, staring straight into my eyes. "If you don't love me, then why did you have our child?" I stepped back. He stepped forward. "My favorite ties. An apartment near my estate. A photo you kept for five years. You say you don't love me. Who would believe that?" "Just coincidence." I reached out to push him away, but he grabbed my hand. "Be good, Isabella. Stop fighting me. Bring the child and come home with me." "Three months from now, once I've fully secured the Don's seat, I'll divorce Lina and remarry you. I'll send Lina's child away. Our child will be the only heir." I shoved him off and lowered my voice. "I already told you. I'm married. This child is mine and my husband's." "Enough!" Jesse cut me off with a sharp yell. "Don't try to use another man to get my attention. I won't fall for it." Unfortunately for him… "I'm not lying." I looked at him, my eyes dead serious. Jesse staggered back a few steps like my gaze had burned him. He was furious. "You're going this far to spite me? You'd even find a man and fake a marriage just to piss me off?" I laughed in pure anger. "Jesse, you've lost your mind!" "Who do you think you are? What makes you think that after five years I'd still love you, still wait for you, and go find a man to marry just to make you jealous?" He froze. After a moment, Jesse shook his head in frustration. "Even if it's real, you sure you want to spend your life with some broke loser?" "The place you live, the clothes you wear, the things you use. All cheap. When you were with me, I bought you the best of everything. Can this man give you that?" "I know you still love me, Isabella. Come home." He grabbed my hand and started dragging me toward the door. "Jesse! You psycho! I don't love you! Let go of me!" I struggled with everything I had, but he held on tight. He smoothed my messy hair, his voice bordering on obsessive. "You came back on your own. Now that you're here, you can't run." "Bastard!" I cursed and kicked him hard, then turned to run. One step and he caught me, pinning me against his chest. His voice dropped, sending chills down my spine. "Isabella, why can't you just behave?" He pulled the tie from his neck and bound my wrists with it, his lips brushing my ear. "Remember this tie? You bought it for me the first year we were married." "That was the past. I have a husband and a child now. I will never go back with you! Let me go! Bastard!" I couldn't break free, so I just glared at him with pure hatred. His movements froze for a second. Then he scooped me up off my feet. "I don't mind that you had a child with him. From now on, I'll take care of you." He carried me toward the door. "Jesse! You bastard! You psycho! Put me down!" My hands were bound, so I kicked and screamed, trying to wake the child, trying to get him to call for help. But Jesse saw right through me. He looked down and spoke calmly. "Scream again, and I'll go kill that child right now." I went still. I knew he was crazy enough to do it. He carried me step by step toward the door. I closed my eyes in despair, tears sliding down my face. This was Jesse's territory. If I got taken, could my husband even save me? Then, the sound of the lock turning. The next second, my husband appeared in the doorway. He crossed the room in one stride, subdued Jesse, and pulled me tight into his arms. His voice was low and dark. "Don Henry wants to keep my Donna and kill my heir?" Jesse stared at the man in front of him, frozen.