LOGINShare
Chapter 6
Latest chapter
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 10
Two years later, I held my first solo photography exhibition in London.It was called Where the Light Doesn't Reach.None of the photographs showed the Romano family or Luca.There was the night-shift cleaner, an old man who gave directions to strangers at the station, an immigrant girl who practiced English alone every night after closing up shop, and a young man relearning to paint with his left hand after an accident.I didn't invent uplifting endings for them. I photographed them as they were.Beside each photo was the subject's name.On opening day, the gallery was packed. Helen stood at the entrance talking with guests, while fellow photographers gathered around several prints to discuss the light and composition.I was busy answering questions. It wasn't until just before closing that I finally had time to stand in the middle of the gallery and look at my work again.I saw Luca.He stood in front of the last wall, wearing a dark overcoat. His right hand still moved a little more
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 9
Luca didn't come to London again.He still sent me emails.Sometimes they were short greetings. Other times, he just let me know his lawyer had sent documents I needed to confirm.I left all correspondence for my lawyer to handle.A few weeks later, my lawyer told me Luca had agreed to go ahead with the divorce.He didn't ask to meet again, and he didn't add any conditions to the agreement.A month later, the divorce papers arrived in London.Luca's signature was on the last page.I could see that the last stroke had wavered a little, but the line remained unbroken.As I looked at his signature, I didn't feel the relief I'd expected, but I wasn't especially sad either.It was finally over. That was all.That night, Helen sent me the project schedule for next quarter.I printed the itinerary and stuck it up next to my desk.In the past, whenever I planned a work trip, I would first check Luca's physical therapy schedule, his medication, and the family's meetings, worried that if I left
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 8
Mark called to confirm that Luca had been examined and was out of danger for now.I said only, "Okay."The next day, I went to work at the magazine as usual.Helen handed me the list of people to photograph for the new feature and reminded me the first set of portraits was due by Friday.The project wasn't big, but it was the first time I was in charge of a whole column on my own. From choosing subjects and conducting interviews to selecting the final images, every decision was mine.Helen added, "If it goes well, next quarter's budget is yours too."Don't rush. Go at your own pace."I looked down at the schedule in my hands and nodded. "I'll turn it in on time."Work filled my days.I shot on location, sorted negatives, and discussed layouts with the editors. Sometimes, by the time I got back to my apartment, it was already dark.The work exhausted me, but it also made me feel grounded.At least every part of it was something I had chosen for myself.News from Rome still came every fe
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 7
When Luca showed up outside the magazine's office, I'd just finished a location shoot.Rain had soaked his black coat. He looked thinner than when I left; his right shoulder was still stiff, and his eyes were bloodshot.When he saw me, he hurried over. "Irene."I stopped on the steps and didn't go any closer.I asked flatly, "What are you doing here?"He was almost pleading."Come back with me and we'll talk."He reached for me.I stepped away.Luca's hand froze in midair. Embarrassment flashed across his face, but he quickly hid it.He lowered his voice. "I didn't come here to fight with you. Don't make a scene here."I answered, "I'm not planning to fight, and I'm not the one making a scene."I glanced at the office building behind me and went on, "You're the one interrupting other people's work. If you need something, we can go through our lawyers."He was silent for a moment, then followed me to the cafe on the corner.Once we sat down, he took out a stack of documents. On top was
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 6
Even after I landed in London, I didn't turn my phone back on.The magazine sent a car to pick me up.The new apartment I had rented wasn't big. A gray-blue river ran past the window.A coworker helped me carry my luggage into the living room and looked around at the bare walls. "I'm free tomorrow. I'll take you to buy a few things."I smiled."No need. I like it this way."I opened my suitcase.On top were two cameras, a few lenses, and the film I hadn't finished shooting.There was no brace from Luca's physical therapy.No painkillers I had to have ready before every rainy day.Nor was there the heating pad I had kept by the bed or the cabinet full of care supplies I had stocked for him all those years.Only after leaving Luca did I realize how little space my own belongings took up.On my third day in London, I got an email from my lawyer. Luca had refused to sign the divorce agreement and insisted on talking to me directly.I emailed back, "Please handle everything through my lawye
A Winter Without Donna Chapter 5
As the plane flew out over Rome, I switched off my phone.The city outside the window was hidden by clouds, like an old map finally folded shut.I didn't look at my bare ring finger again, and I didn't think about when Luca would notice I was gone.He would probably go back to the estate first and find that I hadn't waited for him. Then he'd call and tell me to stop being difficult. In a few days, once I'd cooled off, he'd treat it like any other petty argument, just as he always had.Meanwhile, back at the Romano estate, Luca had finally finished dinner.Standing in the entry hall, Selina asked Luca, "Is Irene angry?"She left in such a hurry."Luca undid his cufflinks and glanced at his phone."She's never liked family gatherings."Selina pressed on. "But she looked really sad tonight."Luca only said, "Don't worry about her. She's just tired."Selina lowered her eyes and didn't ask anything more.By the time he got back to the main house, it was nearly midnight. Luca walked into the
You May Also Like
Dream On Neighbor, You Just Messed With the Wrong Heiress
Liora Z37.7K viewsNo More Loving in Vain
Grace Rivera12.8K viewsDestination of Love
Jasmine Flower23.0K viewsFrom Daddy to Uncle
Summer12.6K viewsThe Marriage Lie
Money Meow 889 viewsA Wedding for Her, a Grave for Me
Pine Cone12 viewsThe Mafia Princess They Erased
Peachy1.4K viewsThe Don's Heir Faked His Death, So I Died for Real
cookies449 views
