Chapter 2

Just as I was about to head home, the family called. They needed me to fill out some trust paperwork.

When I reached Dante's office door, I saw Alexa sitting with him, sharing lunch. She casually lifted her half-finished smoothie to his lips.

Dante hated dairy.

But now—he just wrinkled his brow slightly, then sighed and took a sip under her coaxing.

Alexa's voice was soft and warm: "How is it? Good?"

Dante nodded. "Not bad."

I couldn't help the bitter smile that tugged at my mouth.

Inside the office, Dante naturally reached over and wiped a crumb from the corner of Alexa's mouth with a tissue, his voice low. "Slept well last night? Any insomnia?"

"Perfect," Alexa smiled. "You know I sleep fine as long as you talk to me."

Then she seemed to think of something. "But I heard you don't take calls after nine—was I bothering you?"

Dante didn't hesitate. "You're the exception."

His men, Daniel, chimed in from the side: "You two are quite the pair."

Another man, Kevin, agreed: "Right. Whenever Alexa brings lunch, the Don's appetite is always better."

I pushed the door open. The air in the room dropped to freezing.

Kevin looked away.

Dante saw me and immediately walked over, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

I said, "I'm here to fill out some trust forms."

Dante shrugged. "Alexa handles that. She'll help you."

I understood now why I'd gotten that call in the middle of the day.

Alexa walked up to me, holding another lunch container. "Donna, I made lunch for the Don. You should try some too."

I looked up at Dante. He nodded at me. "Go ahead. Alexa's cooking is excellent."

Inside the container was baked shrimp with cheese. I'm allergic to shrimp.

I shook my head.

The room went deadly quiet.

Alexa's expression crumpled. She said, almost tearfully, "I'm sorry, Donna. My fault. I shouldn't have cooked for the Don—I know that's your role—"

Dante frowned at me. "Nora. Don't make this difficult for her."

I asked Dante, "Do you see what's in that dish?"

At my question, Dante looked confused. "Of course."

At our wedding banquet, shrimp dishes were strictly forbidden. But one server had still brought out a shrimp appetizer. If I hadn't begged for mercy, Dante would've had him dumped in the Gulf of Mexico.

Alexa smiled at me and pushed the container closer.

I pressed my hand against it and slid it slowly back.

Alexa's smile faded. I said to her, "Give me the documents."

She looked flustered, set down the lunch, and pulled out the paperwork. Dante's face had gone dark. Daniel and Kevin had already slipped out.

I signed my name, handed it to Alexa, and walked out without looking back.

At the door, Dante called after me.

I thought maybe he'd remembered my allergy. But he said:

"Nora, you've been married to me for five years. Remember your place. You're my Donna. Stop being so petty."

Alexa said, "Don, this was my fault. I won't make lunch for you anymore—"

Dante cut in quickly: "No. You did fine. The one who needs to adjust her behavior is someone else."

He was waiting for my response. But I was already two steps out the door.

Back home, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing piece by piece.

Five years in this place, and I couldn't even fill one bag.

That evening, Dante called. "Get ready. There's a gala tonight—you need to come."

I murmured in agreement.

His voice on the phone sounded light, almost warm. "Sweetheart, have you decided? South of France or Italy?"

I paused. "Not yet."

"That's too bad. I'd really like us to be at our estate in the South of France. I'll find a courtyard full of lavender for you, Nora."

His voice on the phone was so gentle.

But my heart just twisted with pain.

I cleared my throat. "All right, Dante. I'll be down in a minute."

When I saw the black Maybach at the curb, I opened the door.

And found Alexa already inside, eating a crumble cookie.

She jumped. "Donna…"

I watched the cookie crumbs fall onto the seat, then instinctively looked at Dante.

He hated when people ate in his car, including me.

But right now, his expression was perfectly calm—like he was already used to it.

And I finally understood.

I'd almost forgotten. Alexa would always be the exception in his life.

Alexa quickly wiped her mouth and started gathering the crumbs. "I'll move to the other side right now, I—"

I smiled, calm. "It's fine. Stay. It's just a seat."

I took the seat across from her and caught a flicker of confusion in Dante's eyes.

I ignored it.

This had happened before. Every time, it ended with Dante snapping at me impatiently: "Nora, it's just a seat. Don't make a big deal out of nothing."

I stared out the window at the drizzling rain.

The hurt and bitterness I used to feel weren't there anymore. I was so calm it surprised even me.

Yeah.

Just a seat.

Just a person.

It was all the same to me. Easy enough to throw away.