The Arrogant Don's Regret

Everyone said I was Domenico Calvetti's most obedient woman. On our first wedding anniversary, he flirted with a pair of twins at the gambling table. He had lipstick smeared all over his shirt. I smiled and wiped it away with a silk handkerchief, but he swatted my hand aside. "Don't kill the mood." In the third year, the star performer from the club he ran showed up at my door with a gun pressed to my temple, demanding to take my place. Without flinching, I disarmed her using the technique he taught me and disposed of the body myself. Behind me, he held his new lover and laughed softly. "Lucia, you always know what to do." In the fifth year, he blew up the library my father left behind just to make his new flame, Marilena Rossetti, smile. That library was my mother's favorite spot when she was alive, and it held the only photographs of our family of three. The explosion made me the laughingstock of the city. People whispered, "Signora Calvetti can't even protect her own memories." Everyone believed I could never leave the Calvetti family or Domenico, but they forgot how this all started. Back then, he rescued me from my adoptive father and fell in love with me at first sight. He knelt and begged to marry me, swearing he would protect me from blood and pain for the rest of my life. For ten years, I held onto those empty words. At our tenth anniversary party, his hundredth mistress arrived. Alice Russo, fresh out of college, held a glass of red wine and poured it down my gown while Domenico watched. "Signora Calvetti, this dress is so old. Given your position, you should be wearing something better." Everyone at the party waited to see my humiliation. Instead, I lowered my eyes and dialed Domenico's father's number. "Father, the ten-year agreement is over. I won't be Signora Calvetti anymore." Chapter 1 On the other end of the line, Salvatore Calvetti's voice was thick with exhaustion. "These ten years have been hard on you. Everything's arranged. Someone will meet you at the back door in five days." Listening to Salvatore's hoarse voice, a bitter ache rose in my chest. The night I agreed to Domenico Calvetti's proposal, Salvatore called me in for a private conversation. He looked at the hope in my eyes and sighed. "Child, if you're planning to play around with him, I won't say a word. "But if you're certain about marrying him, I have to ask if you've thought this through? The men in the Calvetti family have never known how to cherish anything. They only need a wife who's sensible and accommodating." I agreed without hesitation. Domenico, who made all of Cecilo tremble, was my savior. I would repay that debt with ten years of devotion. When I was 15, my adoptive father was a monster. One night, when he was drunk, he tried to force himself on me. My adopted sister stopped him. He beat her half to death and locked us both in a cabin on the outskirts of town for five days and nights. I watched as the wounds on my gentle, beautiful sister's body festered and rotted into putrid flesh. That animal of a man kicked her corpse and said, "Dead already? Can't even handle a little fun." Those were the most agonizing days of my life. Then, Domenico appeared. He happened to pass by that cabin on the outskirts. He knocked my adoptive father down and pulled me out. He even confessed his feelings for me. I fell for my savior almost immediately. I fell hopelessly in love with him, and we dated for three years. What I felt for him was both gratitude and genuine affection. However, people kept warning me. "The men in the Calvetti family only play around. No one in this world can make them stay loyal to just one woman." Back then, I was young. I thought that as long as I stayed by Domenico's side, I could eventually warm his heart. Salvatore's eyes held helplessness and pity that day, but no relief. Only later did I understand. He pitied my naivety, and he was helpless about my ignorance. I hung up the phone. Behind me came a woman's coy laughter. "Domenico, look at Lucia. She seems unhappy." I turned around. Alice Russo raised her hand toward me triumphantly, a diamond ring glittering on her ring finger. For a moment, the sight of it stung my eyes. I knew that design all too well. When Domenico and I got married, I designed the wedding ring myself. I spent three months on it, engraving our initials inside. Now, the same design sat on a mistress' finger. She looked radiant and captivating in the latest haute couture gown while I looked sallow and thin, my dress still stained with the wine she had poured on me. Alice's gaze landed precisely on the ring on my left ring finger. It was the platinum ring Domenico had made for me when we got married, engraved with the words, 'Until death do us part', on the inside. It was the only genuine thing he had ever given me. She shook his arm playfully. "Darling, her ring is so beautiful. Can I wear it to the gallery opening tomorrow?" Domenico did not even glance at me, but his tone was commanding. "Lucia, take it off. Alice needs it for the gallery opening tomorrow. Let her borrow it for now. I'll get you something better later." I froze. It felt like a sledgehammer had slammed into my chest, leaving me breathless from the pain. That was not just any ring. It was the only witness to our ten years of marriage. It was my only comfort through countless lonely nights. I took a deep breath and tried to explain, "Domenico, this is the one you gave me—" "It's just a ring!" he cut me off impatiently and slammed his wine glass down on the table. "You want a ring so badly? I'll have someone make you a dozen tomorrow!" A dozen? Did he think everything could be measured with money? In the past, when his lovers wanted my jewelry or my accessories, I would give them away without hesitation. However, not this. I had treasured this ring for ten years, keeping it safe. I would not even take it off to bathe. At this moment, I no longer hesitated. I removed the ring myself, walked over to Alice, and placed it on her finger. The moment our skin touched, Alice deliberately pinched me hard, her eyes full of provocation. Seeing that I did not cry or fight back, Domenico quietly exhaled in relief. He assumed I was still the pushover he could manipulate however he pleased. "There's an auction tomorrow. You should come too." His voice came from behind me, laced with condescension. "Buy whatever you want. No limit. Consider it compensation for the ring." I wanted to refuse, but he did not give me a chance to speak. He ended the party and led Alice into our bedroom. That room where we had spent countless intimate nights together had become the place where he entertained other women. Chapter 2 The bedroom door was slightly ajar. Inside came Alice's sultry moans and Domenico's low, heavy breathing. I did not stop walking. I headed straight into the wine cellar. Ten years of marriage, and I had fallen this far. I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. At midnight, the cellar door swung open. Alice walked toward me wearing my silk robe. The collar hung open, exposing the suggestive bite marks on her neck. "You know what Domenico told me, Lucia? He's dying to throw you in the ocean and watch you drown. He says looking at your lifeless face makes him sick and that you're worthless trash in his eyes. You're not even good enough to lick my boots." I looked at her coldly, my eyes flat and unmoved. "This is the Calvetti family's estate. This is mafia territory, not some playground for college girls. Don't get too cocky or you'll burn yourself." My words seemed to infuriate her. Alice raised her hand to slap me across the face. "You bitch, how dare you lecture me!" Before her palm could land, I caught her wrist in a tight grip. Ten years with Domenico meant I had seen plenty of bloodshed. I had killed more people than she had probably ever met. The next second, I slammed her entire body against the dust-covered wall with enough force to make her scream in pain. "I've killed more people than you've ever met. Who the hell do you think you are?" Alice's body went rigid, and her pupils were filled with terror. She probably thought I was just a compliant pushover. A few seconds later, she snapped out of it and began shrieking hysterically, "Help! Someone help me! She's trying to kill me!" While screaming, she deliberately tore at her robe, exposing her shoulders and chest. Then, she hurled herself at the wine rack beside her. The sound of shattering wine bottles pierced the air. Glass shards and wine splattered everywhere. She fell perfectly beside the broken glass. A cut on her temple began bleeding. It looked like I had brutally assaulted her. The cellar door was kicked open. Domenico stormed in, fury radiating off him. In his hand was a Desert Eagle. It was the weapon he had given me for self-defense all those years ago when he saved me from my adoptive father. Now, it was aimed directly at my forehead. His eyes immediately found Alice lying on the floor. Murderous intent ignited in his gaze. For a moment, I could almost feel the cold sensation of a bullet piercing through my body. "Lucia, are you asking to die?" He spoke through gritted teeth, his voice dripping with violence. "Who gave you the nerve to touch her!" I stared at the black muzzle of the gun. My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Did I have to explain myself? What would be the point? He would not believe me. I started laughing until tears streamed down my face. "You did. You gave me the nerve. Domenico, have you forgotten?" I looked straight into his eyes and slowly said, "You said no one but you could ever hurt me. You promised this gun would never be aimed at me." My gaze seemed to sting him. The hand holding the gun trembled slightly. He lowered the weapon but stepped forward and raised his hand. He slapped me hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the room. My cheek swelled immediately, blood seeping from the corner of my mouth. The pain was searing. "Three days in the basement!" His voice was cold as ice. "You're not allowed out without my permission! No food, no water!" He threw those words at me before carefully lifting Alice from the floor. His movements were so gentle, as if he were handling a priceless treasure. I still remembered how he had held me just like that after I accepted his proposal. Back then, he said he would give me the world. Now, everything had changed. Chapter 3 I spent three full days in the cold, damp basement without food or water. During that time, I kept reliving the past ten years. I thought about the moment my father's library was blown to pieces. I thought about how bravely Domenico had saved me from my adoptive father. I thought about how easily he had given away the ring on my finger to someone else. It turned out that all his vows were nothing more than idle amusement. On the fourth morning, the basement door finally opened. Two bodyguards hauled me off the floor like a sack of trash. My legs had gone numb long ago. I could only hang between them as they carried me. Domenico stood at the doorway, looking down at me from above. There was no sympathy in his eyes, only impatience. "Alice is shaken up and upset. You'll go to the auction tonight and serve her drinks. Make her happy. Consider it compensation." I nodded numbly. The person Salvatore arranged should arrive soon. I just had to endure a little longer and it would all be over. The underground black market auction that night was packed with all kinds of people. I wore a server's uniform, weaving between lecherous men and serving them drinks. Alice nestled in Domenico's arms, dressed in an elaborate gown while wearing my ring, basking in everyone's flattery. Halfway through the auction, the auctioneer introduced the next item with exaggerated flair. "Our next piece is a self-defense weapon from Signorina Tarantino. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and it has tremendous collector's value!" The moment the dagger was brought out, my breathing stopped. It was the only thing my mother had left me. Ten years ago, the Calvetti family faced an unprecedented crisis. Their cash flow dried up, and they were on the verge of being swallowed up by other families. I secretly pawned this dagger I always carried with me and used the money to help Domenico weather the storm. It was my way of repaying him for saving my life. I remembered how he had held me, swearing in my ear that he would buy it back for me one day and keep it safe. Now, here it was, displayed in front of everyone as just another item up for auction. Almost instinctively, I started to raise the bidding paddle. However, a large hand clamped down on my wrist. It was Domenico. He did not even look at me. He just tilted his chin toward Alice in his arms, his tone indulgent. "Do you like it? I'll buy it for you so that you can use it to protect yourself." Alice gasped in delight and pressed her chest tightly against Domenico's arm. "Really? Oh darling, thank you! I've always wanted something like this!" Domenico clearly enjoyed this. He reached out and ruffled her hair. The bidding started. Alice raised the price without hesitation. In the end, she won the dagger at three times its market value. When the dagger was handed to her, she played with it in her hands, seemingly quite pleased. The next second, she picked up an apple from the table and started peeling it clumsily with the blade. Her movements were awkward and deliberate. "Ugh, this knife isn't sharp at all. It can barely even cut fruit." She pouted and tossed the dagger carelessly onto the table with a loud clang. My blood seemed to freeze. That was my mother's heirloom. Now, it was being used by some worthless mistress to peel fruit, and she was complaining it was not sharp enough. My chest felt like someone had carved into it with a blade. The pain nearly suffocated me. Just then, the large screen at the auction suddenly lit up. A grainy surveillance video began to play. In the footage, a woman whose figure closely resembled mine was meeting with a man. That man was the Underboss of the Calvettis' rival family. The image was unclear and the audio had been processed, but the content clearly accused me of selling family secrets and leaking the Calvetti family's transport routes. Domenico's body went rigid. The temperature around him seemed to plummet. He whipped his head around and stared at me, his eyes burning with murderous intent. "Lucia! You betrayed me?" The woman's profile in the video made her look similar to me, but her movements were stiff. It was obviously edited together afterward. However, looking at his furious face, I knew any explanation would be useless. He would not believe me. In his mind, I was just a wife in name only. Domenico grabbed me and yanked me up. His grip was so tight it felt like he would tear my arm off. He dragged me all the way to the center of the auction stage. Then he made a shocking announcement. "This woman has betrayed the Calvetti family. She has betrayed me! Today, I'm putting her body up for auction!" I struggled and grabbed onto his pant leg, trying to bring him back to reason. "Domenico, even the audio in that video is synthesized. Can't you hear it? Someone's framing me! You can't do this to me!" "Framing you?" Domenico laughed like he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He shook his hand and flung me away without hesitation. The back of my head slammed hard into the steps of the auction stage. Blood ran down from my forehead and blurred my vision. Before I could catch my breath, a leather shoe stomped down hard on the hand I was trying to use to push myself up. The sound of bones shattering was unmistakable. My whole body convulsed from the pain. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. "This is what you get for betraying me." Domenico's voice was cold as ice, devoid of any warmth. He snapped his fingers. On the large screen behind him, naked photos of me appeared one after another. Chapter 4 Those photos were taken when we first got married. Domenico had coaxed me into posing for them, saying he wanted to capture my most beautiful moments and keep them just for himself. Now, he had turned those sweet memories into weapons against me. The moment the photos appeared, laughter and wolf whistles erupted from the crowd below. The men's gazes swept over me like starving beasts, their mouths spewing vulgar comments. "That body's not bad at all. Who knew Signora Calvetti was so hot..." "Wonder if I can get a piece of her tonight. I'd pay top dollar!" "One dollar." Domenico's voice rang out again, drowning out all the noise. "The original copies of these photos, along with this woman's services for tonight. One dollar gets you both." His words were the final straw that broke me completely. I shook my head desperately, tears mixing with blood streaming down my face. "Domenico... please don't... I'm begging you, don't do this..." Alice nestled in his arms and covered her mouth in fake concern. "Domenico, isn't this too cruel to her? After all, those are her private photos..." "Privacy?" Domenico laughed coldly, his eyes full of mockery. "A whore who betrays the family has no right to privacy." My face was pressed against the ground. I could clearly hear the breathing and comments of the men surrounding me. Those voices slithered into my ears like venomous snakes, gnawing away at what little dignity I had left. I felt like merchandise being appraised and judged. I could imagine the desire burning in those men's eyes, like flames ready to consume me completely. Suddenly, a sharp cramping pain tore through my abdomen. It felt like countless needles stabbing into me. My vision went black and I lost consciousness. … When I woke up again, I was in a discreet private clinic. A doctor in a white coat stood beside my bed, his expression complicated. "Signora, you… You're pregnant. Two months along." Pregnant? I instinctively placed my hand on my lower abdomen. There was a slight swell there. Two months ago, Domenico came home drunk, and we were intimate. He was barely conscious that night and kept calling out another woman's name. I thought it was just an accident. I never expected a child to come out of it. The doctor handed me an ultrasound printout. It clearly showed two tiny gestational sacs. Twins. I took the ultrasound and froze in place. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. It was joy, despair, and helplessness all at once. I had already made up my mind to leave. Now, however, the children I had longed for had come at the worst possible time. For the sake of the babies, I had to speed up my departure. I could not let Domenico harm them. I went home and packed my things. I was about to contact Salvatore to tell him about the pregnancy and have him arrange for an earlier pickup. However, the door was suddenly flung open. Domenico walked in. He saw the suitcase behind the door and frowned slightly, his tone impatient. "Look, I know I went too far this time, but running away from home is a bit dramatic, don't you think?" I looked away expressionlessly, hiding the emotion in my eyes. "You misunderstood. I just want to go out and clear my head." He raised an eyebrow, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Alice is pregnant. I want to keep the child." My breath caught. My heartbeat stuttered. All the blood in my body seemed to freeze. Domenico had always been surrounded by women, but none of them had ever been allowed to keep his child. Not even me. I had always wanted a child. I wanted a family that belonged to us. However, he always said that it was not the right time or that the family business was too demanding. He had refused me again and again. Yet now, when he looked at me, his eyes held joy and anticipation—emotions I had never seen before. It turned out he did not dislike children. He just did not want children with me. I forced a smile, my voice hoarse. "Children are wonderful. Having one sounds nice." Domenico smiled with relief, his expression relaxed. As long as I was obedient, I could remain by his side forever like a piece of furniture. "Good. As long as you behave, I won't hold the leaked information against you. The position of Signora Calvetti will always be yours." I smiled but said nothing. "Father just contacted me. He wants me to bring you home for a visit. He misses you." He paused. "Alice is going out with friends tonight. I gave her your car. You'll ride in my passenger seat." I had no objections. After all these years, I had grown accustomed to his demands. After changing clothes, I randomly picked out a gift and got into his car. The car had barely started when Domenico's phone rang. He answered and listened for only a few seconds before his face turned ashen. He suddenly smashed his phone against the interior of the car. Chapter 5 The phone shattered with a loud crack, fragments flying everywhere. The car suddenly swerved to the side of the road and stopped. I was stunned by his abrupt action. Before I could react, his hand clamped around my throat. His grip was so tight it felt like he would strangle me to death. "Lucia, didn't I warn you not to scheme anything to hurt Alice?" His eyes were bloodshot, like a wild animal out of control. "She's carrying my child! How dare you go after her!" I immediately understood. Alice had gotten into a car accident on the road, and it just happened to be while she was driving my car—while I was not in it. "Domenico, wait! This wasn't me! I didn't do anything!" I desperately tried to explain, attempting to bring him back to reason. However, Domenico would not listen at all. He jerked the steering wheel violently and slammed his foot down on the gas pedal. "Shut up! I'm taking you to the hospital right now so you can kneel and apologize to her face!" he roared as the car weaved frantically through traffic. "Domenico... stop! There's a red light ahead!" At more than 120 miles per hour, I stared at the glaring red light, my whole body trembling with fear. No matter how much I cried out or begged, Domenico ignored me completely and charged straight through the intersection. Just as we crossed the stop line, an overloaded truck barreled toward us from the side. The truck slammed into the side of our car. We spun violently out of control and then crashed hard into the guardrail on the side of the road. The brutal impact left me bleeding from the head. Blood from my forehead blurred my vision. I clutched my aching abdomen. The cramping pain grew more intense. I could feel life slipping away bit by bit. "Domenico... save me..." My voice came out weak as a whisper. "The car's leaking fuel... Get me out quickly! "Domenico, please don't leave me! Our children..." The moment I finished speaking, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a text from Alice. [Domenico, someone tampered with the car. The brakes failed! It had to be Lucia. She tried to kill me!] After reading the message, Domenico kicked open the mangled car door and stepped out. His gaze on me was full of mockery. "You're willing to risk your life just to stall me from seeing Alice. Quite the performance there. Stay here and reflect on what you've done. When Alice is out of danger, I'll send someone to get you." I could smell the gasoline getting stronger inside the car, and panic seized me. I pounded desperately on the window, trying to make him notice something was wrong with the vehicle. "It's really going to explode! Believe me this once! Please!" However, he turned and walked away without a moment's hesitation. The smell of gasoline grew thicker. I could hear the drip of the leaking fuel tank. In my desperation, I noticed something fall from his pocket. It was a plate with the words, 'Until death do us part', inscribed on it. He had carved it himself when he proposed. One second before the car exploded, I grabbed hold of that plate with all my strength. A deafening explosion came next, and the car was blown to pieces. … When Domenico arrived at the hospital, he saw that Alice had only sustained minor injuries. She was lying in bed, acting coy. Relief washed over him. Just then, one of his men rushed over with a report. "Don, Signora had an accident. This was all we could find at the scene..." The subordinate handed him a plate covered in blood and charred black. On the back, the inscription, 'Until death do us part — Domenico & Lucia', was still clearly visible. Only then did he realize that the woman he had discarded like trash, the woman he believed had betrayed him, was gone. Domenico gripped the engraved plate, his fingers trembling slightly. His heart felt constricted, like he was suffocating.