I Loved the Mafia Boss, But He Returned to His First Love

After I learned that his former lover, Maria Lee, had returned from Parispolished, ruthless, and newly refined in the arts of negotiation, strategy, and powermy partner, Don Zaldy Corell, began to distance himself from me.

At first, it was almost imperceptible. A casual mention of Marias successes abroad. The faint pride in his voice whenever her name surfaced during discussions about expanding influence and territory. He spoke of her sharp instincts, her talent for maneuvering high society and underground circles alike. But soon, the pattern became too obvious to dismiss.

Zaldy was spellbound. He followed her movements obsessively, assigning men to watch over her, clearing schedules for her convenience, orbiting her presence like a loyal underboss desperate for approval.

When Maria established her new headquarters in Providencea sleek, well-guarded front masking her growing criminal networkZaldy didnt simply show up to offer support. He made her empire his priority. He poured money into her operations, rerouted connections, and devoted time and attention to her affairs in ways he had never once done for me.

I had been by Zaldys side for four long yearsthrough negotiations, bloodshed, alliances, and quiet nights behind the iron gates of Corell Manor. Yet none of that could rival the magnetic pull of his resurrected past. Whenever Maria entered a room, his gaze followed her. Every decision he made seemed to revolve around her presence, and I felt myself fading into the background of his world.

The day of my graduation arriveda milestone I had dreamed of sharing with him for years. He had promised he would attend. Instead, I stood alone as the ceremony began, while Zaldy traveled with Maria to New York for an elite international fashion and business summit designed to launder influence through art and luxury.

I was left fielding questions, swallowing humiliation, offering excuses on his behalf to people who already knew the truth.

When I confronted him later, he brushed off my pain as if it were a minor inconvenience.

Dont exaggerate, he said coldly. Look around you. You live in a fortified estate. Youre guarded, funded, protected. Maria doesnt have that. Shes rebuilding her power base alone in Providence. She needs my backing.

And what about me?

What about the years I stood quietly beside him? The achievements I longed to celebrate with the man who claimed I was his partner?

The final fracture came when Zaldy accompanied Maria back to Paristhis time to meet her remaining benefactors, old-money crime families, and influential elders who still held sway in Europes underground. Watching him embed himself deeper into her world made the truth impossible to deny.

I had already lost him.

Every instinct in my body screamed that it was time to walk away. When I finally made the decision, it didnt come with reliefonly a dull, aching sadness that had been growing for years.

I signed the separation agreement, relinquished my claim to Corell Manor, and booked a flight to Italy to pursue my masters degree in Artchoosing a future free from Zaldys divided loyalties and looming shadow.

Before I left, I sent him one final message.

[Sami: Theres nothing left for me here. Im stepping away. Youre free to live the life you want.]

His reply came quickly. Cold. Revealing.

[Zaldy: And how exactly do you plan to survive without me? Without my protection?]

Tears burned my eyes as the truth finally settled in. To him, I had never been a partneronly an ornament. A possession. A symbol of status, not a woman he loved.

I blocked his number, cut off every channel, and severed the last remaining thread binding me to him.

Days later, whispers reached me through mutual associates. Zaldy was searching relentlesslysending messages I never saw, demanding updates, growing increasingly volatile.

[Sami, I made a mistake. Come back.]

Tomorrow was supposed to be my graduationfour years of relentless study at the Rhode Island School of Art finally coming to an end. When I mentioned it over dinner the night before, his reaction was colder than any threat hed ever made.

I have commitments tomorrow, he said curtly. Ill have something sent to you.

He stood, already absorbed in his phone, barking orders to his men, leaving me staring at the empty chair across from mefeeling erased from his life.

In recent months, just when I dared to believe he might be returning to me, he withdrew once more. The reason was obvious.

Maria Lee had come backready to claim her territory in Providence.

From the moment she returned, Zaldy devoted himself to her as though she were his chosen queen. For an entire year, I watched him attend to her every request, fund her ventures, and rearrange his empire to suit her needs. I, meanwhile, was offered nothing but distant words and hollow gestures.

A year ago, I opened my own art gallerysomething I had built from nothing with my own vision and effort. Zaldy never showed. Not even briefly. Instead, he sent flowers with a generic card that felt more like an obligation than a celebration.

Yet when Maria needed him at the airport, he arrived immediately. When she required security, financing, or connections, he handled every detail personallytreating her life as if it outweighed mine entirely.

I became a ghost within my own home, invisible to the man I had once believed was my future.

The resentment finally erupted as I followed him upstairs, my voice shaking but resolute.

Why are you so heartless, Zaldy? I demanded. You skipped my gallery opening. You rushed to Marias side without hesitation. You invested everything into her operations. And now you cant even spare a few hours for my graduation? Is it always going to be her?

He turned slowly, sliding his phone into his belt, irritation flashing across his face.

Whats your problem now? he scoffed. Do you want more money? A better gift? Just say it instead of acting pathetic.

The words sliced through me, reducing everything I had given him to something transactional.

I dont want your money, I whispered, tears spilling freely. I want you. I want my partner to show up. Thats all I ever asked for.

He laughed softly, cruel amusement flickering in his eyes as he grabbed my chin.

Your tears wont change anything, Sami, he said coldly. Youll never have what you want. And dont expect to see me at your graduation.

He shoved me away and slammed the door, the echo reverberating through the halls of the manor.

Our relationship had always been empty. From the beginning, it was an arrangement orchestrated by his mothertwo strangers forced into proximity for convenience and image. Despite the army of staff surrounding us, he demanded I tend to his needs personally, confusing control with intimacy.

The man I once loved was goneif he had ever truly existed at all.

And as I stood there alone, surrounded by memories of effort, sacrifice, and hope, I finally understood that to survive, I had to let all of it go.

I grew up inside an orphanage owned and funded by the Family, a quiet institution hidden behind iron gates and thick stone walls meant to keep the worldand its dangersout. I spent most of my childhood sitting in the courtyard with borrowed paints, working beneath the open sky, imagining a future far beyond the reach of the Corell syndicate. I dreamed that one day someone powerful would notice my talent, take me under their wing, and allow me to pursue art without fear or obligation.

More than anything, I wanted to be a painter of consequenceto make a name for myself, to build a gallery that belonged solely to me, a place where my work could exist freely without bearing another persons shadow.

After I completed the orphanages formal education program, fate intervened in the form of a formidable woman: the matriarch of the Corell crime family. She summoned me personally and offered what felt like an impossible gift. She would finance my education at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenzeone of the most elite art institutions in the country.

There was, of course, a price.

In exchange, I would be bound to her son, Zaldy Corellthe future Don. He was five years older than me, hardened by loss, and still openly haunted by the woman who had left him years earlier. Maria Lee had gone to Paris, where she refined her influence, sharpened her ambitions, and elevated her status among Europes elite criminal circles.

I hesitated. I was barely eighteen. Zaldy was twenty-three and already feared within the organization.

Does he know about this arrangement? I asked quietly, my fingers clenched in my lap.

Yes, the matriarch replied after a pause. Her gaze softened just enough to disarm me. He has agreed.

Out of gratitudeand obligationI accepted. She had been the only source of kindness Id ever known, the only person who saw something worthwhile in me. Refusing her felt impossible.

Zaldy and I entered the arrangement as strangers, not lovers. Still, I clung to the na?ve belief that time might soften him, that proximity could become affection. While studying, I worked relentlessly to build independenceapplying for grants, selling paintings to private collectors, and doing everything in my power not to rely on Corell money.

None of it mattered.

To Zaldy, I was an inconvenience. He remained distant, emotionally sealed off, acknowledging my existence only when required. I wasnt his partnerI was a tolerated fixture in his household.

At our formal union ceremony, he offered no tenderness. The moment the vows were completed, he turned away. On the rare nights he came to my room, alcohol clung to him. His touch was mechanical, emptynever affectionate, always a reminder that my presence in his life was an obligation, not a choice.

One night, he staggered in late, leaning heavily against the doorframe, his eyes dull and unfocused.

Sami, he slurred, smirking faintly, why do you never come see me?

Youve never asked, I answered carefully. And lets not pretend this arrangement was ever something either of us wanted.

He laughed sharply and crossed the room, grabbing my arm with careless force. Youre here because of my mother, he said coldly. Without her, youd be nothing.

Yes, Zaldy, I whispered, swallowing the sting in my throat. I know.

The years passed like that. I endured everything out of loyalty to his motherthe woman who had saved me from obscurity. I even declined an offer to study abroad, afraid it would disappoint her.

No matter what I accomplished, I could never displace the ghost of Maria Lee. I was a stand-in. A shadow occupying a space meant for someone else.

After one particularly brutal argument, something inside me finally settled. My mentors words resurfaced in my mind.

The fellowship is yours if you want it. Italy is waiting.

It wasnt just an opportunityit was a way out. A door opening after years spent trapped in a life that was never truly mine. That night, I made my decision.

The next morning, Zaldy barely acknowledged me at breakfast. His attention was fixed on his phone, messages scrolling endlessly across the screen. Whatever tension lingered from the night before had already vanished from his mind.

I cleared my throat. Zaldy, I said quietly, what would you think if I pursued my masters degree in Italy?

He waved a dismissive hand without looking up. Do whatever you want.

I steadied myself. And if Ill be gone long-termshould we dissolve this arrangement?

For the briefest moment, I hoped he would reactquestion me, object, feel something.

He didnt.

Thats fine, he muttered, still scrolling.

Relief and heartbreak collided in my chest. The truth was undeniable now. I had never mattered.

He hadnt noticed when I stopped managing his schedule, preparing his suits, or handling his personal affairs. Id quietly passed those responsibilities to the household staff, and he never questioned it.

Very well, I said, standing. My plate remained untouched. Hunger had abandoned me entirely.

My gaze fell on his phone just as a notification lit up the screen. The contact name glowed unmistakably.

The name burned into me. Every ounce of his loyalty, his attention, his devotionit all belonged to her.

The phone rang. He answered instantly.

Ill be there shortly, he said, his tone obedient, gentle, unwavering.

I smiled bitterly.

At last, I understood the role I had always played in his lifeunseen, replaceable, and never truly claimed by the man I once loved.

After breakfast, I made my way to the academy for the graduation ceremony, my emotions tangled between pride and a sharp, gnawing ache.

This day marked the culmination of years spent at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenzea path I had devoted my every thought, every brushstroke, and every late-night hour to. Soon, I would leave for Italy, to carve out a life that belonged entirely to me, away from the influence of the Corell family.

But as I stood there, diploma in hand, surrounded by a throng of students and their families, the familiar sting of solitude crept in.

Around me, families celebrated their protgs, snapping photos, laughter spilling over the square. It was a day designed for shared joybut I moved through it like a ghost, a lone figure among tightly knit factions.

I shook my head and forced a smile. This is how it always is, Sami, I murmured to myself, drawing a steadying breath. No need to mourn that Zaldy isnt here.

It was just another day alone, after all.

Fortune intervened in the form of my mentor, the one who had first given me a shot at recognition beyond the orphanage walls. His eyes lit up when he saw me, pride radiating as he congratulated me for earning the scholarship. He insisted on a celebratory lunch afterward, a gesture that felt like sunlight breaking through a storm.

Italy will change you, Sami, he said, voice bright and certain. I want to see the artist youre destined to become.

Thank you, Professor, I replied, a genuine smile lifting my features.

His words soothed me, a spark of hope in a world that had often felt unkind. But as I left the academy and drove home, a shadow of doubt crept back in.

I watched the courthouse pass by from the car window, a looming reminder of the pending divorce I had yet to finalize. For a fleeting second, I considered ordering the driver to stop, to take action immediately. But the thought of Zaldys motherthe formidable matriarchstopped me. How would she react if I acted rashly?

I exhaled, letting the hesitation pass.

Then my phone buzzed. Her name appeared on the screen.

Sami, darling! she chimed, her voice warm and melodic. Congratulations! Youve worked so hard. Lets celebratejust you and me, a proper day of shopping.

That sounds wonderful, I said, directing the driver back to the manor to pick her up.

When I saw her waiting, anger toward Zaldy softened, replaced by a quiet warmth. Despite everything, his mother had always treated me with kindness. Being with her reminded me that I still had a place in a family somewhere in this fractured world.

We spent hours wandering the shops, chatting like companions from a simpler time, and she ensured I didnt leave empty-handed.

While she examined a designer bag, I scrolled through my phoneand froze.

A post from Maria appeared: New York Fashion Week. Zaldy stood beside her, arm linked with hers, both smiling as if nothing in the world existed beyond the frame.

The caption read: [So glad to be here again this year, especially with someone you love.]

My chest tightened. So that was why he had skipped my graduation.

My fingers clenched the phone as Zaldys mother noticed my tension.

Sami, dear, are you alright? she asked, concern etched in her features.

I forced a calm smile. Yes, Im fine. Did you find something you liked?

I did. And I picked one for you, too. I hope youll enjoy it, she said, handing me a bag.

Thank you, truly, I replied, letting the warmth of her gesture cut through my bitterness.

Back at the manor, the emptiness pressed heavier than ever. Zaldy did not return that night, nor the next. I tried to distract myself, but a persistent unease left me restless.

Days later, another post: Maria in Paris for Fashion Week. And there he was, by her side againhis posture protective, his gaze devoted, his smile reserved entirely for her.

Each image twisted something inside me. Photos of him attending her events, celebrating milestones in her circle, laughing and leaning closethe sting of jealousy flared hotter with each snapshot.

Why dont they just move in together already? I muttered, anger and frustration coiling in my stomach.

I could no longer hold back. My pulse racing, I threw the phone aside, gathered my papers, and ordered the driver to take me to the courthouse.

This time, hesitation had no place. I signed the divorce papers with precision, my signature firm and unwavering. No more doubt. No more waiting. I reclaimed my life.

---

A few days later, Zaldy returned from Paris.

That evening, I set a quiet dinner, the first time in weeks we would sit across from each other. Calm and deliberate, the divorce documents were laid neatly beside my plate.

As he took his seat, I slid the folder across the table.

Zaldy glanced at it, expression unreadable, then pushed it back toward me.

Put it in my office. Ill review it later, he said casually.

I froze. Youre not even going to read them? My voice trembled with disbelief.

He sighed, picking up his communicator. Sami, can we not do this now? I just got back. Im exhausted.

Do you even care? I pressed, voice shaking. Have you noticed? I stopped managing your schedules, stopped tending to your needsand you barely reacted.

Look, he said, waving a hand dismissively, throwing a fit doesnt make me drop everything. Now, if youre done, let me eat in peace.

I stared at him, every ounce of indifference in his eyes answering all the questions I hadnt dared to ask aloud.

Finally, I rose, clutching the papers to my chest, feeling a surge of strength bloom.

Very well, Zaldy, I whispered, not meeting his gaze. Ill leave them in your office. But this time, I am done waiting for you.

I walked away, placing the divorce papers on his desk. My eyes fell on a chaotic pile of receipts, statements, and purchase orders.

My heart sank. Since Marias return, his expenses had soareda penthouse in Paris, lavish giftsevidently all for her.

On impulse, I grabbed a sticky note and scrawled: Make sure you sign it!

I began packing at dawn, sorting through years of memories and belongings with a clarity I had never felt before.

Though Zaldy and I technically had separate quarters in the manor, we shared a dressing winga space I had once meticulously maintained, folding his suits, polishing his shoes, arranging his belts, and ensuring everything he owned was in perfect order. It had been my daily ritual, a small attempt to keep peace in a marriage that had always been more obligation than love. But now, it was time to let it all go.

As I folded my own clothes, my gaze landed on the gifts I had given him over the years: luxury watches, tailored jackets, trinkets from foreign cities, and carefully chosen items for birthdays, anniversaries, and every other occasion the family recognized. Each lay untouched, still wrapped or set aside as if my effort had never mattered.

My chest tightened. I had poured care, thought, and hope into every single one, hoping they might remind him that I had once tried to be more than a name in the ledger. But they were never for me to keep. I bundled them for donation, a quiet act of reclaiming control over my life.

Next, I packed every token he had ever given megold chains, rings, garments meant to remind me of my place, symbols of ownership rather than affection. I left behind only what I had earned with my own labor: the steady income from selling my paintings, modest yet entirely my own.

When the donation boxes were loaded into the car, I set off for the orphanage where I had grown up. On the way, I stopped at a small market and bought treats for the children thereno matter how far I traveled, they would always be a piece of my heart.

Upon arrival, the woman who had raised me, my mother in all but blood, greeted me warmly. We settled into a quiet corner, speaking in the familiar rhythm of mother and daughter.

After a pause, I exhaled and shared my plans.

Im leaving for Italy to continue my studies, I said, a small, resolute smile brushing my lips. Her eyes lit up, and she clasped my hands tightly.

Oh, Sami! I knew you were meant for great things, she said, voice trembling with pride. You deserve every bit of happiness coming your way.

Her words soothed the knot in my chest, giving me courage. Im also divorcing Zaldy.

Her expression faltered, concern shading her features. She had known me long enough to recognize the kindness in my heart, and perhaps she had hoped my marriage might provide a family I had never truly had.

As I explained, her face softened. Sometimes letting go is the bravest act, she murmured, patting my hands. You must walk your own path, Sami.

I nodded and embraced her tightly. Thank you.

Evening came, and I drove home slowly, savoring the quiet. No rush, no need to arrive precisely when Zaldy demanded, no fear of disapproval. In the past, I would have pushed the car to every limit to reach the manor on time; even meals had been rituals, strict rules he enforced to remind me of my duties.

I never understood why he clung to these routines when there was no love, no partnership. Perhaps it was for show, proof to the family and household that we were a proper couple, though we lived apart, slept apart, existed entirely separate.

But when I entered the manor, my chest tightened.

Gritte, Zaldys younger sister, lounged on the couch beside Maria, shopping bags from designer boutiques scattered around them.

Oh, youre back, Gritte sneered, dripping entitlement. Why so late? Were hungry. The chef hasnt prepared anything. Go fix it.

Her words stung, a reminder of all the thankless labor I had poured into this house. Maria didnt look at me, fussing over a new handbag as though I were invisible.

Zaldy emerged from the shadows of the hallway, his presence effortless and commanding. No need to cook Samight. Well dine out, he said smoothly, his voice softening the instant it fell on Maria. What would you like, Lily?

Her face lit up. Steak! The place from collegeour favorite.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the car keys. Watching them together, so naturally at ease, I moved toward the door, hoping to escape witnessing their private reunion.

His voice cut through the room, sharp and controlled. Youre coming with us. You must be hungry too.

I paused, keeping my tone steady. No, thank you. Im not.

That wasnt a question, he said, darker now, irritation edging every word.

I exhaled, the weight of his authority pressing down, and relented. Fine, I murmured.

In the car, Zaldy and Maria shared the front seat, laughing and reminiscing as if the world existed only for them. I was relegated to the back with Gritte, who kept as much distance as possible, treating me like a stranger.

The city lights blurred past the window while they talked and laughed. Their comfort and connection stabbed at my chest, a sharp reminder of the life I had never truly shared with him.

When we arrived at the restaurant, my stomach twisted. The steakhouseone I had once thought was ourshad always belonged to him and Maria. Each familiar detail, every shadowed corner, now reflected the truth: everything I had believed about us was an illusion.

As we stepped into the restaurant, the scent of smoke and searing meat filled the air, thick and heavy. One of the senior waiters recognized us instantly and inclined his head with practiced respect.

Don Corell. Mrs. Corell, he greeted smoothly. Its been quite some time.

I felt Maria tense beside Zaldy. Without hesitation, she leaned into him, slipping her arm through his with deliberate intimacy, staking her claim without a word. His body language shifted instantlyrelaxed, receptive, familiar in a way that made my stomach tighten. The message was unmistakable. She wasnt hiding anything.

Something sharp twisted in my chest, raw and instinctivenot jealousy alone, but the quiet fury of being erased.

The waiter hesitated, sensing the undercurrent, but Zaldy didnt spare me a glance.

Table for four, he said calmly, the tone of a Don used to being obeyed.

Of course, the waiter replied, leading us toward a table positioned beside the open grill, flames dancing just inches away.

I recognized it immediately. That table had once been oursa place Zaldy had invited me into, letting me share in his ritual of selecting cuts and overseeing the cooking. I had believed it was something special between us. Only now did I realize it had never been mine. It had always belonged to him and Maria.

As the grill flared, Gritte stepped forward, grabbing the tongs with confident ease.

Ive got this, she said smugly. I dont cook unless I have tobut when I do, its perfect.

She flipped the steaks expertly, the sharp hiss of fat hitting flame slicing through the air.

Everything seemed under controluntil a burst of oil ignited suddenly.

Maria gasped in alarm and jolted backward, knocking the edge of the grill. Sparks scattered across the table, hot embers flying in every direction.

Gritte jumped back instantly. I wasnt fast enough.

Pain exploded along my arm as sparks struck my skinand Marias as well.

Before I could even react, Zaldy moved.

He lunged forward, grabbing Maria and pulling her into his arms with violent urgency.

Call an ambulance! he barked. Shes burnednow!

My arm throbbed sharply, but his gaze never flicked toward me. In that moment, I ceased to exist. There was only Mariahis priority, his chosen woman.

That realization cut deeper than the burn.

I sat frozen, brushing at my arm instinctively, stunned by how easily Id been dismissed. A waiter rushed over and noticed my injury.

Mrs. Corell, are you hurt? Should we

Zaldys voice cut through the air, firm and absolute as he brushed Marias hair back possessively.

Take care of her immediately.

The waiter hesitated, unsure. I forced a tight smile.

Im fine, I said quietly. Pleasehelp her first.

Zaldy finally glanced at me, irritation flashing across his face.

If youre injured, deal with it, he said coldly. Just dont make a scene.

I nodded once. I wouldnt.

He turned away instantly, guiding Maria toward the waiting ambulance, his body shielding hers as if no one else mattered. Nearby, Gritte scoffed.

Fantastic, she muttered. Night ruined.

Once they disappeared into the street, the pain fully set in. The waiter returned with a cold compress and placed it gently against my arm.

This should help, maam.

Thank you, I whispered.

And in that moment, something inside me hardeneda vow forming quietly but irrevocably.

I will never be invisible again.

I took a taxi to the hospital myself. Every jolt of the road reminded me of the sparks. The ER doctor cleaned and dressed the burn carefully.

Youre fortunate, he said. Its superficial. Itll heal quickly.

Thank you, I repliedjust as I overheard nurses murmuring nearby.

Did you hear? Don Corell booked an entire floor for her. Specialists, private staffthe works.

A bitter smile touched my lips.

He had never done anything like that for me. Not once.

I paid using my own cardthe money I had earned myself. Years of dependence had left me vulnerable, but now I saw the truth clearly: I didnt need him to survive.

Bandaged and resolute, I returned to the manor. Zaldy and Maria would be spending the night at the hospital. Staff glanced at my arm with concern, but I waved them off.

Its nothing serious. Im sorry for the late hour.

The next morning, an email chimed softly on my phone.

Acceptance Letter Italian Arts Academy

My pulse quickened. Freedom surged through me. I grabbed my art supplies and declined the drivers offer. I wanted to move under my own power.

Hours slipped by inside the RISD Museum, surrounded by works that once ignited my passion. Brush in hand, I felt the weight of Zaldys authority finally lift. For the first time, my art belonged solely to me.

Night had fallen before I noticed the ringing phone.

Zaldy.

I answered without softness. What do you want?

Where are you? His voice was low and controlled, laced with anger. You should be home.

My whereabouts are no longer your concern, Don Corell, I replied evenly.

How long are you going to keep this up? he snapped. Is this about the card? Stop playing games with the divorce. You wont last without me.

I inhaled slowly. I already am, I saidand ended the call.

I blocked his number.

Seconds later, a message slipped through from another line.

[Zaldy: Come back now, or I will drag you home.]

I typed a single reply.

[Sami: Never.]

With one final motion, I cut him out of my life completely.

For the first time, I belonged to no Don, no family, no shadow but my own.

And I was free.