The Mad Donna He Never Really Married

For three years, I was Donna of the rising Valenti family.

One day, Enzo was holding a meeting at a private cigar club. I worried about his stomach issues, so I went to bring him his usual antacids.

Standing outside the private room, I heard his men laughing.

“Don Enzo, are you really going to keep Clara hidden away at the Silver Lake villa forever?”

“That mad Moretti heiress in the main house is still parading around as Donna of the Valenti family.”

Enzo rubbed the bridge of his nose and scoffed.

“If she hadn’t taken a bullet to the head for me and gone insane, and if I hadn’t desperately needed her family’s capital, I never would have married a woman with no blood ties to the life.”

“But Clara is my legal wife. The family trust, the marriage certificate at City Hall, it’s all in her name.”

“Stella’s just a plaything I keep at the main house. Once Clara gives birth to an heir, I’ll bring her home for good.”

My knuckles turned white as I squeezed the small box of medicine, the cardboard crumpling in my hand.

He had exchanged blood oaths and rings with me in the church, yet it was Clara who had signed the papers at City Hall.

He played me for a fool, all to keep Clara’s reputation clean.

Clutching the box, I turned and melted back into the shadows.

He had no idea my sanity had returned three days ago.

He would never guess I had already sent an encrypted message to my brother, who runs a business empire from our home in Solaria, far across the sea.

I was done with this goddamn Valenti title.

In my third year as Don Enzo’s wife, and my third year deemed insane, I discovered the name on his marriage certificate wasn’t mine. It belonged to his so-called adopted sister.

While Enzo gloated, he had no idea I had already pulled the financial backing I brought to the marriage, or that I had sent a message to my brother.

What he didn't know was that three days ago, my mind had fully recovered.

I tossed the box of antacids into the roaring fireplace. My maid, Sofia, steadied my arm and walked me back to the main house.

Three days ago, the best doctor in Solaria secretly flew in to administer the final antidote. I could think and perceive everything perfectly now.

The doctor advised me to wear a black silk veil for a few more days to prevent sensory overload. The black veil became my best disguise.

Just as I stepped into the grand hall, Enzo approached, trailing the faint scent of gunpowder and cigars.

He grabbed my wrist. “Stella, what are you doing in the front hall alone? Where are your bodyguards?”

I let him hold my arm, playing the part.

Three years ago, these same calloused hands had lifted me from a pool of my own blood.

To save him, I had taken a bullet meant for him during an assassination attempt by a rival family.

The severe head trauma had shattered my mind, leaving me in a state of deep psychosis.

He knelt at my bedside, making a blood oath to give me the grandest mafia wedding and swearing he would suffer a thousand cuts if he ever betrayed me.

He gave me a motorcade of dozens of armored cars.

He put me in charge of all the Valenti family’s legitimate businesses and internal affairs.

The entire underworld called me Donna with respect.

I pulled my wrist from his grasp. “You’re flushed, Don Enzo. Sofia, fetch a cold towel.”

Enzo sank into the leather sofa and loosened his tie. “Some capos were fighting over territory. Gave me a headache.”

I feigned a sluggish fumble for a glass of bourbon and pushed it toward him. “The capos are only looking out for the family.”

“I heard you entertained a special guest at the club today.”

Enzo’s hand froze mid-sip. The crystal glass hit the table with a thud.

He leaned his head back against the sofa. “What special guest? Just a few partners on the smuggling routes.”

“Why are you worrying about these things? The doctor said your brain can’t handle the stress.”

From behind the black veil, I maintained my “vacant” stare at his face. “I had someone review the family’s assets today.”

“I’m preparing for the Saint’s Festival next month. And while I was at it, I wanted to see the family trust agreement.”

Enzo shot to his feet, his suit cuff knocking over the glass of bourbon. The amber liquid spilled across the carpet.

He stared at the stain, his voice tight. “Why the sudden interest in the trust?”

I settled back into the sofa, my posture relaxed. “We’ve been married for three years, and I have yet to attend a family roundtable as the official Donna.”

“It seems my name isn’t on the trust list yet, is it?”

“With the Saint’s Festival approaching, it’s about time we made my position legally official, don’t you think?”

Enzo knelt before me, taking my hands in his and sighing.

“Stella, it’s not that I don’t want to give you the official title.”

“It’s the old guard. They’re prejudiced against your foreign blood. They think your family is just a bunch of merchants from some backwater port, not part of the life. They’re holding up the paperwork.”

He lowered his head, his cool lips brushing against my knuckles. “Just give me a little more time.”

“Once I take control of the East Coast ports, I’ll have absolute power. Let’s see which capo dares to stand in my way then.”

I looked down at him.

I had used the Moretti family’s financial network to launder his money. I had funneled a fortune to bribe his political connections.

I thought I was paving the way for our criminal empire. It turns out, I was just building a future for him and Clara.

I nodded in agreement. “Fine. I trust you.”

Enzo stood up, satisfied. “That’s my girl. You just focus on getting better. If you want any jewelry, just tell the bookkeeper.”

He reached out to caress my face, but I turned away. “I’m tired. Sleep in the study tonight.”

Enzo’s hand froze in mid-air. His eyes narrowed, a dark look clouding his features.

He slowly pulled his hand back, his tone turning cold. “Then get some rest. I have to check on a shipment at the docks tomorrow. I’ll be back late.”

I gave a simple acknowledgment.

As he disappeared around the bend of the staircase, I summoned Sofia.

“Go to the Crimson Gallery in the city and find the manager, Antonio.”

“Tell him the Moretti heiress requires a full audit.”

The next day, Enzo left the estate before dawn.

I ripped off the annoying black veil and stared at my clear, sharp eyes in the mirror.

Sofia entered, holding an encrypted tablet. “Donna, Manager Antonio sent the financial records for the past three years.”

I swiped the screen open.

Three years ago, I mobilized my family’s network to cover a disastrous loss from one of his arms deals.

Two years ago, I used my personal fortune to buy two top-tier casinos in the city’s core district, registering them under the Valenti family’s name.

One year ago, thirty million dollars were secretly funneled from an underground account to build that villa at Silver Lake.

My grip tightened on the tablet as I read the words “Silver Lake.”

“Who’s hidden away in that villa right now?”

Sofia bowed her head, her voice trembling. “Donna, it’s Clara. The one Enzo publicly calls his frail, adopted sister.”

“Adopted sister?” I laughed coldly. “I always thought it was strange how fiercely he protected an orphan with no connections.”

Sofia held out the tablet, whispering, “Forgive me, Donna. I only found this in the off-the-books ledgers. Clara isn’t an orphan. She’s the illegitimate daughter of the Russo family, the most powerful local family.”

My nails dug harder into the screen. So that was it.

No wonder Enzo was sucking me dry while secretly marrying her. Through this union, he had secured the support and votes of the old-guard local capos. A brilliant move, securing an alliance for nothing.

Sofia continued, “Mr. Enzo withdraws a large sum of cash from the money-laundering network every month and has it delivered to that villa.”

“And… I’ve heard that Clara… is pregnant.”

I slammed the tablet face down on the vanity.

Pregnant.

He was bleeding me dry, using my dowry to support his mistress and their bastard.

The profits from the arms and drugs under my name became his personal slush fund, financing the love nest he built for her.

I looked at Sofia, who stood frozen and trembling. “Don’t just stand there. Open my private vault.”

I walked into the climate-controlled vault in the basement.

It was filled with the rare treasures of the Moretti family, every piece a part of my dowry.

I gave a cold order to a few of my loyal men. “Pack up all the casino deeds and bearer bonds.”

The captain of my security detail asked in a low voice, “Ma’am, are we moving all these assets tonight?”

I snapped shut a blast-proof case filled with South African diamonds. “Yes.”

“Everything that belongs to the Moretti family. I’d rather toss it in the ocean than leave a single dime for that ungrateful bastard.”

As we were packing, a bodyguard ran in to report. “Donna, Clara is here.”

“She brought her own men and is insisting on seeing you, says she’s here for a visit.”

I put the black veil back on and, with Sofia’s help, slowly walked into the drawing room.

Clara was sitting on the main sofa as if she owned the place.

Seeing me enter, she stood up with a perfunctory air. “Stella, you look terrible.”

I stumbled clumsily to the armchair opposite her, acting disoriented. “You should be at home. What are you doing here?”

“Enzo told me your episodes are getting worse. I went through the black market to get you some special tranquilizers.”

She strode closer in her high heels, her voice dropping to a mocking whisper. “That broken brain of yours. I bet you’ll never have a lucid day again, will you?”

I replied coolly, “The doctor said I just have to avoid interacting with anything filthy.”

She missed the insult entirely and let out a theatrical sigh. “You poor thing.”

“This Valenti estate is so large. Now that you’re out of your mind, you can’t even comprehend who’s really in charge here.”

“Enzo is so cruel, isn’t he? Just keeping you here like a trophy on a shelf.”

Her red-nailed hand reached out to pull at my veil. I jerked my head away.

“Don’t trouble yourself, Miss Clara.”

Clara awkwardly retracted her hand, then deliberately jutted out her slightly protruding belly.

“Actually, I came today to inform you of something.”

“Enzo doesn’t think the Silver Lake villa is safe enough. He’s going to clear out a suite for me in the main house.”

“Which master bedroom do you think has the best light?”

I said clearly, “Miss Clara, you are not married. It would be against custom for you to live in the Valenti main house.”

“Who cares about custom? Enzo said that as long as the Donna agrees, no one will dare say a word.”

Clara tittered. “Besides, it’s not yet certain who really runs this family.”

Enzo’s voice boomed from the doorway.

“Clara, what are you doing here?”

He strode across the threshold, rushing straight to Clara’s side and protectively hovering a hand near her back.

Clara immediately dropped her arrogant facade, her expression shifting to one of delicate weakness. “I just came to see Stella.”

“She’s all alone in the estate, and with her mental state… she must be so confused.”

Enzo frowned. “This is foolish. There are turf wars going on. What are you doing running around?”

He glanced at me, a guilty look on his face. “Stella, Clara doesn’t know any better. I’m sorry she disturbed your rest.”

I lifted the espresso cup beside me and took a sip. “She was just telling me you plan to give her a suite in the main house.”

The muscles in Enzo’s jaw tightened instantly. He shot a vicious glare at Clara.

Clara bit her red lip, looking aggrieved.

Enzo rushed over to me, explaining urgently, “Stella, don’t listen to her nonsense.”

“She’s just being childish and talking foolishly. The security at Silver Lake is excellent. There’s no need for her to move.”

I let go of the cup. The fine bone china cup clattered against the marble table.

“The way she was talking, you’d think she was in charge of this family.”

“She seems more like the Donna than I do.”

Enzo took a deep breath, his tall frame looming over me.

“Stella, you’re being too sensitive. You are the only Donna. This will always be your domain.”

“She’s just a spoiled girl. Why are you lowering yourself to her level?”

I shot to my feet. “If she’s an outsider, she should know the rules of this family.”

“Sofia, show Miss Clara the door.”

Clara was trembling with rage. Enzo shot her a sharp, warning look.

Clara stomped her foot and stormed out with her bodyguards.

The vast hall fell silent, leaving only me and Enzo.

I turned my face to the side. “Enzo.”

“The eighty-million-dollar payment for the port shipment the Moretti family fronted you is due. When do you plan to repay it?”

The smile on Enzo’s face froze.

He gave a dry laugh. “Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“Expenses have been high with the recent turf wars. I used that money to bribe some higher-ups in the joint task force.”

“Once the port business is stable, I’ll have the finance department reimburse you.”

I didn’t back down. “How long is ‘in a while’?”

Enzo yanked at his collar. “What are you getting at?”

“We’re husband and wife, bound by a blood oath. My business is your business. Are you accusing me of trying to cheat you?”

I laughed coldly. “Even blood brothers settle their accounts. That money belongs to the Moretti family.”

“If I don’t see the account balanced by the end of the month, I’ll have no choice but to let my legal department handle it.”

Enzo’s face turned ashen. He stepped forward and squeezed my wrist.

“Stella, are you using the Moretti’s power to pressure me?!”

“Don’t you forget, you’re just the daughter of a merchant from a remote coastal town on the West Continent! In this world, you wouldn’t survive a day without my protection!”

I ripped my hand from his grasp. “Don’t you worry about me.”

“The blood of ruthless merchants runs in my veins. I have never relied on a man’s charity.”

I turned my back on him, my posture resolute. “You should go. I need to rest.”

Enzo stared at my back, grinding his teeth. “Fine. Stella, don’t you regret this!”

He slammed the door on his way out, the roar of his V8 fading violently into the night.

A few days later, it was time for the Valenti family’s grandest event, the Saint’s Festival banquet.

The capos of every major family in the city and Enzo’s mafia allies all gathered in the casino’s main hall.

Accompanied by Sofia, I walked slowly into the glittering, opulent ballroom.

The moment I stepped through the doors, the raucous celebration came to a dead halt.

A mafia boss from the South District sneered through a cloud of cigar smoke. “So this is Enzo’s crazy Solarian trophy?”

Enzo’s voice, unconcerned, drifted over. “Watch your mouth, my friend.”

The boss roared with laughter. “Did I say something wrong?”

“An outsider is an outsider. No matter how rich her family is, they’re just new money from some backwater port. All the designer clothes in the world can’t hide the stink of it.”

“And she’s always wearing that black veil, trying to hide her crazy stare with all that drama.”

Sofia was trembling with rage, her hand moving to her gun, but I placed my hand on hers to stop her.

Clara, in a stunning white couture gown, sauntered over.

“Donna, you’ve finally arrived.”

“There are a lot of steps here. You should take your seat.”

Clara made a show of trying to take my arm. I sidestepped her as if she were a viper.

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Miss Clara. Sofia will help me to my seat.”

I walked straight to the head table and took the high-backed chair next to Enzo, the seat reserved for the Donna of the family.

Clara was left standing, her face a mixture of green and white.

Enzo frowned. “Stella, Clara was trying to help. Why are you putting on airs?”

I replied coolly, “I’m not used to being touched by strangers.”

Enzo’s tone hardened. “She’s not a stranger, she’s my adopted sister! And your sister, too!”

I ignored him and picked up the champagne in front of me.

The boss from the South fanned the flames. “Clara might be a Russo bastard, but at least she’s local. With the Russo family backing her, she has the real claim.”

“Doesn’t even have a marriage certificate, yet she acts like she’s the Valenti Donna.”

I slammed my champagne flute down on the table.

The entire casino hall fell silent.

I raised my hand and tore the black veil from my face. The blank, vacant stare was gone. My sharp, lucid gaze locked onto the face of every person in the room.

The wine glass in Enzo’s hand shattered on the floor, the crimson liquid ruining his custom-tailored suit.

I stared at him, my gaze unwavering. “Thanks to you, my mind is finally clear.”

“What’s wrong, my dear Don? Not happy to see my sanity has returned?”

Enzo swallowed hard, forcing a grotesque smile. “Happy. I’m happy.”

“Stella, your mind is better… why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

I shot back, “If I’d told you sooner, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the show, would I?”

I turned to the South District boss. “What was that you said about me not having a certificate?”

The boss blustered, his voice rising. “What, was I wrong?”

“You’re just a merchant’s daughter from Solaria. What right do you have to the Valenti family trust?”

I turned back to Enzo. “Enzo, since everyone here thinks I’m not qualified…”

“Then let’s settle this now, with all the families as our witness. Bring out the marriage certificate from City Hall. Let everyone see it for themselves.”

Enzo shot to his feet, his face ashen.

“Stella, have you lost your mind? This is the family’s most sacred gathering!”

I stared into his eyes. “I haven’t lost my mind.”

“I just want to know. For three years, I’ve risked my life and spent my fortune to help you build this empire. What exactly is my status here?”

Clara clutched at the hem of Enzo’s suit in panic. “Enzo…”

Instinctively, Enzo pulled her behind him, shielding her completely.

Watching his subconscious, protective gesture, I found the sight repulsive.

Enzo lowered his voice. “She’s in a delicate condition, don’t scare her. We can talk about the marriage certificate in private.”

I raised my voice, shouting, “In private?”

“In private? Like how you use my money to keep her at that villa in Silver Lake?”

“In private, like how the marriage certificate at City Hall is in her name, Clara’s name?!”

The room erupted. The mafia bosses looked at each other, whispering and pointing.

Enraged and humiliated, Enzo raised his hand. The crack of his palm against my face echoed through the hall.

The force of the blow snapped my head to the side. The taste of iron filled my mouth as a trickle of blood ran from my lip.

Enzo pointed at me, roaring, “You crazy bitch!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Clara has a clean reputation. How dare you humiliate her in public like this.”

I held my stinging cheek and wiped the blood from my mouth.

“Enzo Valenti, you’ve got some nerve.”

“That slap severed the last thread between us.”

I turned and walked toward the exit.

Enzo bellowed, “Stop right there!”

“If you walk out that door today, you will never set foot in the Valenti family again!”

I didn’t look back. Sofia stuck close, guarding me.

As I passed Clara, I paused.

She was hiding behind a wall of bodyguards, a smug, triumphant smirk on her lips.

I snatched a glass of red wine from a nearby table and threw it in her face.

The scarlet wine bled across her white couture gown. Clara shrieked, clutching her stomach.

I dropped the glass and strode out of the smoke-filled hall. “Consider it a parting gift.”