Life Erased, the Mafia Queen Returns Chapter 01

Life Erased, the Mafia Queen Returns Chapter 01

When the female lead showed up, I was already carrying Vincent’s child.

I hadn’t been able to fight fate.

He, the heir to Italy’s oldest and most powerful mafia family, the future Don, had once risked everything to break off his engagement for me.

But the moment she appeared, everything changed.

For her, he hated me with the same intensity he once loved me. Even looking at me seemed to disgust him.

In the end, I finally grew tired. I let go of all the tangled feelings.

I didn’t even want the newborn child.

Six years later, one evening, a small, timid knock came at my door.

He stood there, face serious, and said, “Someone told me you’re the woman who had me. My dad doesn’t want me anymore. Can I stay with you?”

I froze for a moment and didn’t answer.

Jasper pursed his lips, not happy, and lifted his small, handsome face, speaking with precision:

“The teacher said that parents have responsibilities and obligations to their children…”

The half-open door interrupted him. I stepped aside calmly and said, “Come in.”

The warm yellow light from the room reflected in his slightly widened eyes.

He paused, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his gaze.

Then he lifted his chin, let out a small “hmph,” and obediently stepped inside.

Once the door closed, he turned, curiously glancing around the room.

When he caught my eyes, he immediately looked away. Nervously, he gripped the straps of his backpack and said, stiffly, “I’m Jasper. Jasper De Santis.”

It was half an introduction, half a reminder. He was my child with Vincent.

I already knew.

From the moment I first saw him, his features were unmistakable. He was carved in Vincent’s image.

Seeming disappointed by my calm reaction, he turned his head away, clearly not happy to meet me.

I set his small yellow backpack down in the hallway and took his hand to lead him to wash up.

“Let’s eat first.”

Jasper obediently said, “Okay,” and by the time I brought the food out, he had already climbed onto the chair on his own.

I asked why he had come to find me all of a sudden.

He buried his head in the plate of chicken, his little round head hanging low, voice muffled:

“I had a fight with him. He broke things and told me to get out and never come back.”

So it was just a temper-fueled run-away. Vincent would probably pick him up soon.

It made sense.

Six years ago, the De Santis family had gone to war over custody of Jasper. Now there was no way they would just let him go.

I paused with my fork in mid-air, not sure what to make of the moment. I hadn’t expected Jasper tonight, so I had only made a simple meal of chicken and salad.

He was picky. No avocado, no carrots, until there was almost nothing left to eat.

Jasper glared at the destroyed lettuce, sneaking a glance at me, and swallowed nervously.

The little aura of arrogance from when we first met was gone, but his picky habits hinted at a life of indulgence. In the De Santis household, he had been spoiled, always obedient, never wronged.

I felt a little relief and washed the dishes, waiting for Vincent to send someone to pick him up.

I waited until nine-thirty.

A six-year-old gets sleepy early. He dug out pajamas from his backpack, eyes darting around the room, and pouted:

“There’s only one bedroom.”

“Do you want to share the bed with me tonight?”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. For some reason, Vincent still hadn’t sent anyone. I had no choice but to compromise.

“Okay, you’ll sleep with me tonight.”

I expected a tantrum. After all, a simple one-bedroom apartment was nothing like the De Santis family mansion.

But Jasper just pressed his lips together, his eyes flickering, wiped his face, changed into his pajamas, and climbed into bed on his own.

Just like at dinner—he had acted picky and disdainful but had still eaten all the chicken I put on his plate without a word.

He burrowed into the covers, creating a small mound, and somehow pulled out a fairy tale book.

He peeked at me from under the blanket, eyes twinkling, and whispered impatiently:

“Aren’t you going to lull me to sleep?”