How It All Started

“She must be a fool” my best friend's voice rang out.

I had gotten back from the trip earlier than expected, I was happy as I clutched my stomach to tell my husband, the mafia don about our coming babies. As I walked up the steps the staff greeted me, I was about entering the bedroom when I heard laughter coming from behind the door.

“Did she think you really married her because you loved her and wanted to save her father's legacy?” My best friend's voice continued. I stood there with shock written all over my face.

“She doesn't know how I betrayed her father and killed him. She must have been looking up to me for saving her from the mess, but really I caused the mess.” my husband, Giovanni said.

Tears stung my eyes as I listened.

“About that, when are you finally going to get rid of her and marry me?” Lily, my best friend asked.

I had known about their affair for the past two years and tried to keep it secret, to enjoy the favour of my husband but hearing them talk about me and my father that way, I couldn't take it anymore.

“Don't worry baby, you know she's the only heir the Godfather had before he died, so we need her to unlock the legacy. If only I could get that…”

“Can't you threaten her, you're the mafia don, she'll die if she doesn't sign the papers” my best friend said and I gasped before I knew what was happening. My heart shook into a thousand pieces and I didn't know when I made a sound.

“Who is that?” my husband's stern voice sounded and before I could think about hiding, he opened the door.

“Maya” he called, surprised and shocked at the same time.

“How long have you been standing here?” He asked cautiously. And my best friend placed a hand on my husband's chest, a mocking expression on her face.

“I guess long enough to hear us, she looks like her heart has been ripped right out” she sneered and I kept mute a lump formed in my throat. I was trying hard to overcome the great feeling of rage that was threatening to overcome me.

“Since you already know, would you sign the papers now?” He asked

“Over my dead body!” I spat and immediately, his eyes turned furious.

“Did you forget I'm the mafia don? I can make you do anything” he said and I lowered my head, fear creeping in.

“Oh poor Maya, do you feel revengeful? Perhaps you would have reported me to your godfather daddy, oh wait…he's six feet under” she laughed and I slapped her across the face, blinded by rage.

Lily fell to the floor, whining. Obviously exaggerating.

“Oh no, Giovanni she pushed me” Lily whined and immediately Giovanni's eyes filled with anger. He raised his hand and a stinging slap landed on my cheek. I looked up at him, unbelief on my face, how could he do this to me?

My husband who had doted on me? I had been the envy of all ladies in Palermo city and now he stood before me like a daredevil ready to devour its prey.

“Tonight I will teach you a lesson you will never forget, for hurting my darling” he barked and dragged me by the hair. I winced.

It was too fast to understand what was happening. My husband had been good to me, had cared for me and loved me so much that he flinched if I hurt myself, but what exactly was going on? How could I explain that my husband had been having an affair with my best friend and had turned into a monster overnight?

“Giovanni please don't do this to me” I begged as he dragged me out to the lawn where everyone and most of the mafia members were busy having drinks. Lily followed behind, still sobbing, but with an amused glint in her eyes.

At the sight of what was going on, they all looked at each other with surprise and shock on their faces. Who would have thought that they would see the day I'm humiliated by the mafia don?

“Everyone out! Matteo bring me the whip” he yelled and everyone scurried away, Matteo brought the whip and I looked at him with fear in my eyes.

Just as he was about to start, Lily stopped him. Aware of the look of disdain in the eyes of the other mafia members. She knew that they would look at her like a fake friend and a husband snatcher.

“Mafia don, please stop, I can't hear you doing this to my one and only friend” she went on her knees immediately, rubbing her palms together and crying out fake tears.

I stared at her with disgust in my eyes, as I sat on the floor, protectively wrapping my arms around my belly.

Giovanni looked at her and was immediately pleased, he turned back to me as the anger returned.

“You slapped her but look how she's begging on your behalf,” he said

“I'll let you go only if you apologise to her,”

He said and I shook my head immediately.

Let her be, please she doesn't have to apologize,” Lily begged, still on her knees.

“You will, Maya or I'll whip you” he said, raising the whip in mid air. My unborn babies, what if something bad happened to them because I couldn't swallow my pride.

“I will…” I said immediately. I found out that my husband killed my father and caused his legacy to collapse and he's also cheating on me with my best friend but I'm the one apologizing.

“About time” he said and Lily stood up, obviously delighted about the news. She looked at me expectantly.

“I'm sorry for hitting you, I shouldn't have done that” I said and she beamed. Giovanni held her hand and took her in without sparing me a glance.

I tried getting up, my heart heavy, but just as I was about to take a step forward, my legs gave in and I fell with a loud thud to the ground, bleeding from between my legs.