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Chapter 9
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His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 9
Flora's POVAfter dinner, he asked hesitantly, "Do you want to stay the night? Your room... I've kept it just the way it was."I saw the fragile hope in his eyes, and a wave of complicated feelings washed over me."No, the hotel is easier," I said, standing up. "Thank you for dinner."Disappointment flickered across his face, but he hid it quickly."I'll drive you back.""That's okay, I'll get a car.""Flora," he called out as I turned to leave. "Thank you. For having dinner with me tonight. This was the happiest I've been in five years."I just nodded and left.Back at the hotel, I lay in bed, wide awake. The night replayed in my head. The restored "Star Map." The carefully prepared dinner. The deep, bottomless regret in Gwen's eyes.Five years. I thought I was over it.But tonight proved that some wounds never really heal.The next morning, I packed my small bag and prepared to leave for the private airfield. I hadn't told Gwen my flight time. I just sent a text.Thank you for last n
His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 8
Flora's POVWhen I hesitated, a flash of panic crossed Gwen's face."And Caesar," he added quickly, his voice shaking. "Our Malinois. He passed away. But he had a puppy... looks just like him."Caesar.I remembered that big, loyal dog. When I first moved into the manor, he was the only one who kept me company when I felt alone."When did he die?" I asked."Two years ago." Gwen's voice grew thick. "He kept waiting for you to come back. Right up until the end, he'd go to the main gate and watch for you."My heart clenched."Okay," I said. "I'll come and see."The light that flooded Gwen's eyes was like a drowning man finding air."Really?" he asked, unable to believe it."Just to see," I repeated."Right," he nodded, over and over. "Right. Just to see."Twenty minutes later, I was in his Maserati. The same one from five years ago, just with a few more miles on it."You still drive this?" I asked."It was the first car we bought together," he said, his eyes fixed on the road. "I couldn't
His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 7
Flora's POVFive years later, Chicago was still the same—familiar and strange all at once.I stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of my hotel room, looking down at the city I'd once called home for three years.A copy of Forbes lay on the table, my face on the cover."FLORA ROSSI: THE AI QUEEN'S JOURNEY FROM DATA SCIENTIST TO BILLIONAIRE."An eight-billion-dollar acquisition had put my name on the global stage.But right now, I was just a former student, back for my mentor's funeral.Professor Mitchell's memorial was at the university chapel. Dressed in a black suit, I sat in the front row, listening to colleagues remember the man who changed my life. Without him, I never would have had the courage to leave Chicago, let alone achieve what I had.The reception was at a five-star hotel nearby. I held a glass of champagne, making small talk with other academics."Flora, congratulations on the acquisition," a professor said. "Eight billion dollars. It's astonishing.""Thank you," I smiled
His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 6
Gwen's POVFor weeks, I tried to write to her.I'd start a letter, then tear it to pieces.Flora, I was wrong...Rip.I know you can't forgive me, but...Rip.Please, just let me explain...Rip.What the hell was there to say? Sorry? Excuses? Begging? The words felt cheap and empty.In the end, I did the only thing a Falcone knows how to do."Wire ten million to Flora's overseas account," I told my finance chief."Yes, Boss."A week later."Another twenty million.""Boss, that amount—""Do it."Another week."Twenty more."The finance chief hesitated. "Boss, that's fifty million total. But...""But what?""The money in that account... not a single cent has been touched."My heart sank into a black pit.She wouldn't even look at it. To her, the money was as worthless as I was.That night, I was in the study, drowning myself in whiskey. Anything to numb the gnawing pain.Suddenly, the intercom on the desk crackled to life."...can't believe that stupid bitch just walked away."It was Eli
His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 5
Gwen's POVI sat in the study all night, gripping the divorce papers. The paper was damp with my sweat, but every word was burned into my mind.As soon as the sun came up, I called the family lawyer."Get to the manor. Now."Half an hour later, he was standing in front of me, trembling, sweat beading on his forehead."Boss, the divorce agreement... it's ironclad," he stammered.My voice was a low growl. "You're telling me she's not my wife anymore?""Yes, sir. Legally, your marriage is over."His words hit me like a sledgehammer.I shot up from my chair and slammed my fist on the desk. The heavy wood groaned."Get the hell out."He scrambled out of the room like his life depended on it.I sat there alone, my thoughts racing in a thousand different directions.Where the hell did Flora go? Why would she leave like this?I remembered the name of her old professor. I drove straight to the University of Chicago.In the computer science building, Professor Mitchell was packing up files. He l
His Empire Crumbled When I Left Chapter 4
Gwen's POVThe private jet cut through the clouds, leaving Vegas behind. I stared out the window, a knot tightening in my gut."Gwen, can't we stay one more day?" Eliza purred, leaning against my shoulder. "There's a concert tonight I'm dying to see.""No," I said. The word came out harder than I expected. "We're going back to Chicago."Eliza pouted. "What's the rush? There's no family emergency."I couldn't tell her why.Maybe it was the three calls from Flora last night. The urgency in her voice—a sound I'd never heard from her before.She said she had something important to tell me."Business," I lied.Before the plane landed, I had the driver swing by Cartier."That diamond bracelet," I said, pointing at the one in the window. "The hundred-thousand-dollar one."The salesman's eyes lit up. "An excellent choice, Mr. Falcone. This is our limited edition—""Wrap it up."I remembered Flora stopping outside this shop once. She stared at that bracelet for a long time. I was on a call with
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