The Mendoza's Dynasty: A Mafia Tale

“The will of Gonzalo Mendoza…” Those were the last words from Mr. Alfonso, the lawyer, before my thoughts drifted. I could see the smirks hiding under the masks of grief on their faces, even as they pretended to mourn. I am Maria De la Cruz, the youngest wife of Gonzalo Mendoza, a man who shattered my spirit and robbed me of my innocence. Honestly, his death was the least he deserved. I longed to leave this place and return to my nana, the only person who truly cared about me. Gonzalo had taken me away from my life, forcing me to marry him so I could pay for my grandmother's surgery. The blood-sucking demon had tied me to him as if I were his property. As I glanced around the round table during the will reading, everyone else dressed in black, solemnly mourning, while I wore white—to represent my freedom. I wanted nothing more to do with the Mendozas. Except for one Mendoza, though. They had always seen me as a threat, especially his other wives, who were much older than me and resented my youth and beauty. The funny thing was that I was almost the same age as my stepchildren. It was absurd to think that I was their peer. Gonzalo was old enough to be my father, yet he had shared my bed every night for over two years. I had managed to avoid pregnancy, thanks to contraceptives, but the thought of bringing his child into the world filled me with loathing I wanted nothing from him—not money, not love, not a legacy. I had no idea why I even bothered attending this will reading; it was pointless. "You shouldn't even be here!" I heard Ignes, Gonzalo's first wife, sneer at me. "I want nothing more than to get out of here!" I shot back, sharplyy. "Then leave, you gold digger!" Rosa shouted, slamming her hand on the table, her fake tears spilling over. "We all know who the real gold diggers are," I retorted, cutting through their pretense with ease. "Enough!" Emilio intervened. “Let's show respect for my father. He clearly wanted everyone here, including Maria." He turned to me, but I quickly averted my gaze. I had my reasons for not looking him in the eye. "What did I miss?" A voice came in from behind. It was Carlos Mendoza, Gonzalo's brother. Like the rest, he was here for the money, except Emilio. Emilio was different—he seemed to have a genuine heart. "Oh, Carlos!" Rosa wailed, rushing to him. I rolled my eyes; she was a true drama queen. Everyone here was simply waiting to divvy up Gonzalo's fortune. "Your brother has left us, left us all alone," Rosa cried into Carlos's arms. "I'm sure he left enough to take care of you," Carlos comforted her, patting her back. "Can we get on with the will reading now?" Ignes pressed, her patience wearing off already. "We'll begin once everyone is seated," Mr. Alfonso stated, and like that, everyone quickly took their seats. "Aren't you supposed to be mourning your late husband?" Carlos directed his gaze at me. "How I mourn Gonzalo is none of your business," I snapped back, my voice steady despite my nerves. "Whoa... Your true colors are finally showing," Carlos remarked. "I’ve never hidden who I am. You can't dictate how I grieve," I replied. "Why does it seem you're the only one happy about my brother's death?" I gulped, clearing my throat. "As I said, how I mourn is my concern." "We all know you didn't love him," Rosa interjected. "Of course! You were just here for his money," Ignes added. "Who wears white to mourn a loved one unless they’re celebrating something?" Carlos challenged, and I felt my cheeks flush. He was getting too close to the truth. "Can we let my father rest in peace? It's too soon for this!" Emilio slammed his hand on the table. Mr. Alfonso sat quietly, watching the unfolding drama. "So what are you celebrating, Maria De la Cruz?" Carlos snapped again, and I felt his sharp eyes on me. It was as if he knew something—something I had to hide. Emilio noticed my growing discomfort. Slowly, he placed his hand on my thigh under the table. It was a dangerous move, especially now. I shot him a very fast glance, then looked away. It was two things, desire and caution. This was not the time for distractions. "Please, Mr. Alfonso, let's continue with the will reading so we can all go our separate ways," Emilio urged. Mr. Alfonso cleared his throat, and the room fell silent, all ears turned toward him, awaiting the words that would change everything. "We all know the kind of business the late Gonzalo Mendoza was into," Mr. Alfonso began, his voice calm and unhurried. “Selling drugs to innocent kids—” I scoffed to myself, "One more word from you, Maria De la Cruz, and you'll be thrown out of here!" Ignes spat, turning her furious gaze on me. "Don't act like you weren't living off his money for two whole years! Isn't that why you married him in the first place?" Her words stung, but I kept quiet. I had spoken nothing but the truth, and deep down, I knew she hated hearing it. "That’s enough, Mother," Emilio said, cutting in. "Well, then you should learn to control your pretty little stepmother here!" she hissed back. I couldn’t stand it when she called me Emilio's stepmother. He was only two years older than me, and, honestly, I’d never once seen him as my stepchild. "My poor brother must be rolling in his grave right now at the mess he caused," Carlos muttered, shaking his head in mock pity. "Can we please give my father the respect he deserves?" Emilio shot back, slamming his fist on the table. "One more outburst from anyone, and this will reading will be canceled until further notice!" Everyone went silent. I knew better than anyone that he wanted this over with quickly, just as I did. We both wanted to leave behind this toxic world Gonzalo had dragged us into and finally start fresh. "Please, Mr. Alfonso," Rosa murmured, urging him to continue. At last, Mr. Alfonso opened his suitcase and took out a large brown envelope, sealed and stamped. I glanced around the table—every face filled with anticipation. Vultures, all of them. "This document is sealed and untampered," Mr. Alfonso announced, holding it up. "The will was originally written seven years ago. However, there was an adjustment made just four months before his death." "A change?" Rosa echoed, her face registering genuine surprise. "What change?" Carlos pressed, his voice agitated. Ignes sat quietly, but I could see the worry in her eyes, mirroring that of the others. Emilio and I, however, couldn’t care less. We just wanted this done. "What could he have changed?" Carlos growled, almost to himself. "Why would he change it after seven damn years?!" "Well... I don’t know the reason, Mr. Carlos Mendoza. But my client, the late Gonzalo Mendoza, requested the change in good health just four months ago." "Please, go on," Emilio urged. Mr. Alfonso cleared his throat, carefully breaking the seal on the envelope. "As we all know, Gonzalo Mendoza was involved in... certain dealings before his passing. With or without his presence, he wished for the Mendoza legacy to live on." "The legacy will live on, without a doubt," Carlos interrupted. "I’ll personally make sure of that." Mr. Alfonso nodded but continued undeterred. "The Mendoza mansion, the ranch, and everything within it are to be shared among all the Mendozas." "So he didn’t will the house to me—his first wife?" Ignes’s voice trembled with anger. "It belongs to everyone, Ignes. Just calm down and listen to what he’s left you," Rosa cut in. "I can’t believe we’re going to share this mansion with a gold digger," Ignes muttered, sending a poisonous glance my way. Her words rolled off me. I had no use for their judgment. "Each member of the Mendoza family is entitled to 20% of the monthly earnings of the Mendoza empire," Mr. Alfonso went on. "Just 20%?" Carlos’s face reddened with frustration. “All the Mendoza heirs are left with 5% shares of the Mendoza cartel.” Mr Alfono continued. “Wow! Just wow!” Carlos muttered with a bitter look on his face. Mr. Alfonso gave him a measured look. "If you’ll allow me to finish, Mr. Carlos Mendoza," he said, returning his gaze to the will. "The business—the Mendoza cartel—the remaining shares of the Mendoza empire and all remaining assets goes to Maria De la Cruz Mendoza."