My Dear Don, Reborn from the Ashes, I Don’t Want You

In the study, Sophia's legs were wrapped around Alessio's waist, her nails scratching bloody marks onto his back."You owe me an explanation," Sophia's voice came through the speaker. "That antique pistol you gave Blair is a Greco family heirloom, right? She didn't even have to ask, and you gave her your most precious possession. What happened to 'you like me more'?""Blair?" Alessio panted heavily as he pushed her legs off his waist. "She's key to my position as Don. I've already explained this. I need a respectable wife for the other families. It solidifies my status.""But I don't want to share, Alessio." Sophia bit his lower lip. "I can't help but be jealous of everything she has."My fingers dug into the armrest of the sofa."Be patient, baby." Alessio pushed her down onto the desk. "Once I get the inheritance my grandfather left her, Blair will be useless to me."He took a black velvet box from a drawer and opened it to reveal a custom, diamond-encrusted pistol.He dangled it in

"I'm tired." I pushed him away. "I want to get some rest.""Of course." He kissed my forehead. "You go on up. I have a few calls to make."As I walked toward the stairs, I heard him on the phone in the living room, his voice low."Yes, I know you're worried, but she won't suspect a thing. She's always trusted my loyalty."In the past, I would have insisted he carry me upstairs. This time, I didn't look back and went straight up.The next morning, when I pushed open the bedroom door, I froze.Over the sound of the shower, a woman was humming softly.I walked over just as the bathroom door happened to open. Sophia stood there wrapped in my silk robe, a smug smile on her face.She wasn't startled. In fact, her smile only widened."Oh, Blair! You're back." She tightened the belt, sauntering out with a lazy confidence. "I accidentally spilled some wine on myself earlier. Alessio told me to come up and wash it off.""Are you wearing my clothes?" I pointed to the silk robe she had on. It was

(Alessio's POV)I brought Sophia home this morning. She was clinging to my arm and wouldn't let go, but it was nothing. It was just a sister's affection for her brother. That was all.On my way back, I stopped at the luxury boutique and picked up the latest limited-edition bag for Blair. I knew she'd been a bit unhappy lately, and though I didn't know why, I knew a little gift would make her forget all about it.But when I stepped into the villa today, something felt wrong.There was an eerie silence.Normally at this time, Blair would be just getting up for breakfast or reading by the window. But today, she was nowhere to be found.The air didn't carry the scent of Blair's usual perfume, nor the smell of paint from her late-night sessions.Desperation clawed at me as I frantically called her phone, searching every room. No one answered.My heart skipped a beat. I called her personal maid."Don," her voice trembled over the phone. "The Donna… she left last night. In a hurry.""She too

(Blair's POV)I watched Alessio stumble through the villa doors.Sitting in front of the computer in my safe house, I watched my former husband through the villa's hacked surveillance system.He reeked of alcohol, blood smearing his face from a split lip. He looked like he had clawed his way out of hell."Pathetic," I sneered, my fingers tapping lightly on the keyboard as I adjusted the camera angle.But honestly, seeing him like this didn't give me the satisfaction I had expected.There was only an empty feeling, like watching a stranger's tragedy unfold.He walked into the art studio, and I saw him pick up a paintbrush I had left behind.It was my favorite sable brush, worth three hundred dollars, a birthday gift from him. I had used it to paint countless portraits of him.On the screen, his hand holding the brush was trembling."Remembering the good times now?" I murmured.The camera feed was clear. I could see the complex emotions on his face. First, a softness, as if he was recall

(Alessio's POV)"No, Blair, don't go!"I woke from the nightmare, drenched in a cold sweat.In the dream, she was in the burning wreckage of a plane, crying out my name and reaching for me, but I could never quite get to her.The clock on the nightstand read three in the morning. I hadn't slept for four straight days."Luca!" I grabbed the phone by my bed. "Get over here. Now."Luca's face was drawn when he appeared. He knew exactly what I was going to ask. "Don, the search and rescue teams are still working, but…""I don't want to hear it," I cut him off. "I want the body. I need to see her for myself.""The search area is too vast, Don. And it's been four days. Even if they find her…" He trailed off.My jaw tightened. "Say it.""Even if they find her, it might only be… pieces." Luca swallowed hard.The phone slipped from my hand, and I collapsed onto the edge of the bed. I couldn't accept the idea of my Blair being reduced to pieces."Double the manpower," my voice came out hollow. "