“The Gala Comes First,” Mafia Boss Insisted—His Pregnant Wife Cost Him More Than a Vote

Rose Mercer looked older than the woman in Matteo's memories, but her eyes were the same.

He approached her slowly, afraid that moving too quickly would make the moment disappear.

"You're alive."

Rose touched his cheek.

"Yes, sweetheart."

He closed his eyes.

For years, he had imagined what he would say if he ever saw her again. He had prepared accusations, questions, and speeches about the years she had missed.

Now he could barely breathe.

"Why didn't you come home?"

Rose's hand trembled.

"Because your father made sure I couldn't."

She explained that Daniel's disappearance had been part of a larger struggle over the Mercer trust. Daniel had been born before Daniel Mercer Sr. married Rose, and the family's attorneys feared that acknowledging him would change the inheritance structure.

When Rose discovered that Enzo intended to use the baby as leverage, she arranged for Daniel to be taken somewhere safe.

Her husband retaliated by threatening Matteo.

"I believed I could protect you by disappearing," she said. "I thought I could return when the danger passed."

"But it never passed."

"No."

Matteo looked at Daniel.

His brother stood near the window, arms crossed, struggling to process the revelation that their mother had never abandoned him.

Rose turned toward him.

"I am sorry."

Daniel's jaw tightened.

"I spent my whole life thinking nobody wanted me."

"I wanted you every day."

"You let me grow up without knowing you."

"I know."

"You let him grow up believing you were dead."

Rose lowered her eyes.

"I know."

For a long time, Daniel said nothing.

Then he stepped forward and took her hand.

It was not forgiveness.

Not yet.

But it was a beginning.

Gabriel interrupted the reunion.

"We need to leave. Enzo's men are two minutes away."

Rose nodded.

"There's something else you must know."

She opened her handbag and removed a small notebook. Inside were dates, names, and bank account references.

"Your father kept records of every payment Enzo made. He believed he could use them to control him. After your father's death, I took the originals."

Matteo looked at the notebook.

"Why didn't you give them to the authorities?"

"Because the people who should have investigated were already being paid."

She turned to Catherine, who had joined them after receiving medical clearance to travel.

"Your father helped me hide the records. He believed you would be safer if you never knew."

Catherine's throat tightened.

"My father died because he helped you?"

"I cannot prove that. But I believe Enzo arranged the meeting that preceded his death."

Rose handed her the notebook.

"Your father was a good man. He made mistakes, but he never stopped trying to protect you."

Catherine pressed the notebook to her chest.

For the first time since the gala, she felt that the pieces of her life might form a picture she could understand.

Then the sound of tires screeching outside shattered the moment.

Gabriel opened the rear exit.

"Move!"

They escaped through a service corridor and reached a waiting vehicle. As they drove away, gunshots cracked behind them.

Rose held Catherine's hand in the back seat.

"I'm sorry you were brought into this family."

Catherine looked at her.

"I chose Matteo."

"Did you choose what he did?"

"No."

Rose nodded.

"Then you have the right to decide what happens next."

The words settled into Catherine's heart.

She could love Matteo without surrendering her judgment. She could want a family without accepting a marriage that hurt her. She could give him a chance without promising him forever.

At a safe house near the coast, Agent Lawson examined Rose's notebook.

Her expression changed as she reached the final page.

"This is enough to reopen the investigation into Daniel Mercer's death."

Matteo leaned forward.

"Can it put Enzo away?"

"It can put several people away."

Agent Lawson turned the page.

One name appeared beside a series of payments.

JUDGE ELEANOR WHITLOCK.

Catherine stared.