The Ninth Time He Left

After Isak's old flame, Julia, came back to town, she made a bet with me: he gets nine chances to choose between us in life-or-death situations. The one he abandons for the ninth time has to walk away.

I agreed.

The ninth time, a single phone call from Julia was all it took for Isak to leave me on the side of the road again.

"Drive! Go!"

Isak's voice was sharp, laced with a panic I'd never heard before. I clutched the gunshot wound in my stomach, blood seeping through my fingers, staining my white silk shirt.

"Isak, wait for me—"

Slam! The car door shut.

The engine roared to life, tires screeching as the black BMW tore off without me.

My husband had left me for another woman. Again. All because she claimed she felt dizzy at home—even though we had just survived a firefight, and I was bleeding out in an alley.

I leaned against the cold brick wall, my hand trembling as I pulled my phone from my pocket and called my assistant, Maria, to come get me.

The ninth time.

I thought back to the ridiculous bet Julia had proposed a year ago. "Nine choices, Leona. Let's see who Isak really picks. The loser walks."

The first time was at my mother's funeral. A rival family crashed the service and opened fire. Isak dove to shield Julia without a second thought.

The second time was at his succession ceremony. A bomb went off, and his first instinct was, again, to protect Julia.

The third, fourth, fifth time…

Every single time, he chose her.

And me? Leona Valachi. The family's Underboss. I called the shots for half the city, but for him, I played the fool and made excuses every single time.

"Maybe he just panicked."

"Maybe he thought I could handle myself."

"Maybe he knew Julia was the one who needed protection."

Bullshit maybes.

Footsteps echoed in the alley. Julia appeared at the entrance, her dress spotless, her hair perfect, and that triumphant smirk I hated so much plastered on her face.

"Well, look who it is. The great Leona Valachi, bleeding next to a dumpster," she said, strolling toward me. "That makes nine, Leona. Any last words?"

I looked up, meeting her gaze. "I lost."

I pulled a folded document from the inside of my suit jacket, one I’d had ready for a long time. "Divorce papers. I've already signed them. Take them."

Julia took the papers, her smile widening. She wasn't done twisting the knife. "You know, Isak just texted me. He said he's on his way and that I should wait for him. He's completely forgotten about you."

"That's enough," I said, closing my eyes. "You got what you wanted. Now go."

"So, when are you gonna make good on your word?"

"A month. I need time to get the Valachi family business in order."

Lying in a private hospital bed after the doctor removed the bullet, my mind drifted back against my will.

Three years ago, Isak was the one who proposed.

Back then, my family was a bit player, and my father planned to marry me off as soon as I graduated to secure some new advantage. The Valachi family was the biggest game in town; I never dreamed I’d marry into their world.

At the time, Isak had been chasing Julia. The whole city knew it. But for some reason, they never made it official, and she’d left Las Vegas.

When I asked Isak why he wanted to marry me, he took my hand gently and said, "I noticed you a long time ago. The way you fought back when you were bullied, how serious you were about your studies…"

I couldn't say no. Besides, I'd secretly had a crush on the cocky, handsome Isak for years.

During our three-year marriage, I gave everything to the Valachi family to prove I was worthy of him. I clawed my way up to the Underboss position, thinking that one day, he would finally see me. And for a while, it felt like he was.

But that all changed a year ago, the day Julia came back.

Meanwhile, in Julia’s lavish apartment…

Julia leaned into Isak’s arms, her eyes teary as she looked up at him. "Thank you for rushing over. It was nothing, really… but I hope Leona doesn't get the wrong idea."

Isak, who had been savoring her closeness, tensed at the mention of my name but quickly relaxed.

Leona was always so understanding. He’d just explain when he got back.

"Your health is what's important. Leona can handle herself. She'll understand."

Julia smiled, then pulled out the divorce papers I had given her.

"What's this?" Isak asked, glancing at the document.

"Something important that needs your signature," Julia said, deftly flipping the document to the signature page. "Leona said it's just some… power of attorney papers. For the port business."

"Power of attorney?" Isak frowned. "Why didn't she give it to me herself?"

"She's just been so busy lately," Julia purred, handing him a pen. "Just sign it. It's no big deal."

Without a second thought, Isak signed his name. He had no idea he'd just signed away his marriage.

Julia tucked the document away, a cunning smile on her lips. "Isak, darling, Leona and I have a big surprise for you. You'll find out in a month."

"What surprise?"

"Don't worry," she cooed. "You're going to love it."