From Maid to Madre

God had abandoned Gianna on 13th Street. The place was filled with heroin, gunfire, and the rotting stench of sewers. They also called it the slums.

After her parents died in a shooting, her grandmother, Rosa Argento, raised her.

Matteo was three years older than she was. When they first met, he was a defiant teenager who had escaped from a fighting ring.

He became a target for everyone because of his face, too refined and almost sinister in its beauty, combined with his fierce and untamed nature.

Rosa was kindhearted. She dragged him back from death's door, though she had her own reasons too.

In this godforsaken place where people devoured each other, Gianna needed an older brother to protect her. Hence, they became family, relying on each other to survive.

Matteo would grab a rusty pipe and risk his life when street thugs tried to extort Gianna. Even with two broken ribs, he refused to let go. He bit off the other guy's ear.

He would also push his only can of corned beef onto her plate after working in the black market, then hide in a corner gnawing on moldy bread.

He poured all his violence and tenderness into protecting her. Until a mercenary group from a distant war zone noticed his reckless ruthlessness.

The night before he left, Matteo climbed into Gianna's attic. His face was young and scarred, but his ambition was obvious.

He pulled out a ring made from a soda can tab and slipped it onto her finger with clumsy reverence.

"Gigi, stay alive and wait for me. When I carve out my own territory, I'll come back for you and Rosa.

"I'll buy you the most expensive jewels and move you into the strongest fortress in the heart of the city. I'll make everyone who ever looked down on you kneel and kiss the tips of your shoes."

Gianna knew the road ahead would be dangerous. She threw herself into his arms, nodding through her tears.

Later, her grandmother fell ill from years of hard work and passed away in the dead of winter. Before she died, she trembled as she handed Gianna a pendant engraved with a wolf head crest.

"If you get the chance, go to the city center. Your parents are there. You're the biological daughter of Don Domenico Ricci!"

Gianna did not know what a Don meant. She did not want power or prestige. She only wanted her grandmother to live. That was all.

A week after the funeral, rain poured down in sheets. A car stopped in front of the iron gate outside. Gianna saw Matteo in the back seat.

He wore a well-tailored black coat. He looked naturally aristocratic and radiated an aura that warned people to keep their distance. He was nothing like the boy in the tattered tank top.

Through the curtain of rain, she cried out, "Matteo, you really came back!"

Matteo tossed aside his umbrella and strode through the dirty water on the ground. He pulled her soaked body into his arms, his voice shaking.

"I told you I'd come get you! Gigi, I'm sorry. I came back too late! I failed Rosa..."

He brought her to the prosperous city center. Within the Gray Wolf famiglia's territory, he arranged a heavily guarded villa for her and sent the best doctors to care for her health.

However, he was busy.

During the day, he fought for territory and negotiated arms deals. At night, he circulated through high society. Sometimes he disappeared for days at a time.

She never complained. Because she knew Matteo was fighting for their future.

Until a year ago, when he came home reeking of blood and told her his decision.

Matteo held her, his expression solemn. "Gigi, I'm planning to get close to the Gray Wolf famiglia. Rosa told you with her dying breath that you're the real Ricci Principessa. I know you don't care about that.

"You never complain to me, but that doesn't mean I'm not aware. You just wanted to see your birth parents from a distance, but the Ricci Soldati treated you like a threat and drove you off.

"The rifle butt smashed into your back. You came back crying but didn't dare tell me..."

Matteo cupped her face, violent intent surging in his eyes.

"The Gray Wolf famiglia is the underground king of this city. Without power, you don't even have the right to approach them! That fake Principessa named Lucia stole what's yours, enjoying the glory that should belong to you, while you were chased away like a rat.

"I won't accept it! It makes me furious!

"Gigi, I want revenge! I'll use that fake Principessa to work my way into the family's inner circle and take control of all of Don Ricci's arms channels! I'll make that woman fall in love with me, then reveal the truth at her happiest moment and watch her fall from grace!

"I'll get back every humiliation you suffered a hundred times over! I'll bring you home in glory."

Back then, he made that promise with such sincerity.