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Chapter 9

Author: Echo
Deep in the Rocky Mountains of Montana.

Snow fell as I stood on a peak overlooking the valley. The distant lake was frozen, glittering like silver in the sun. It was so quiet I could only hear the wind and my own breathing.

I’d been here for two weeks.

Skiing, hunting, fishing. My schedule was my own. No family meetings, no business negotiations, no social events to endure.

And no Isak making excuses.

"Leona, I have to deal with the port today. We'll go skiing another time."

"Leona, Julia and I have a business dinner. Let's postpone the Colorado trip."

"Leona, I'm busy. You go fishing by yourself."

For three years, I had canceled countless trips for him. I thought being by his side, being his rock, was what love looked like.

Now I realized I was only fooling myself.

The mountain wind was crisp against my face. I adjusted my skis and pushed off, flying down the slope. The speed was exhilarating. This feeling of being out of control reminded me of my younger self—the Leona who would give
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  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 16

    "Relax, Leona," Serafino said, holding my hand. "My mother will love you."The car drove slowly into the Donnelly family estate. It was even more magnificent than I had imagined—a classic Irish-style manor, with perfectly manicured gardens and guards patrolling every corner."Welcome, Leona," a commanding voice said.Serafino's mother, Patricia Donnelly, was more approachable than I expected. She was a woman in her fifties, her silver hair impeccably styled, with the same blue eyes as her son."It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Donnelly," I said, extending my hand."Please, call me Patricia," she said, giving my hand a firm shake. "Serafino has told me so much about you."Dinner was wonderful. Patricia and the other family elders showed a keen interest in me. We talked about business, the future, and potential collaborations."Leona," Patricia said, taking me aside after dinner. "Come with me."We went into her study. The room smelled of cigars and whiskey, and portraits of past Donnelly

  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 15

    As expected, the entire underworld was in an uproar the next day.The Valachi family faced an unprecedented crisis. With their secrets exposed, their funding cut off, and facing a joint assault from the Calabria and Donnelly families, they were on the verge of collapse. Isak, the one responsible, was left to face the wrath of the family elders.And Julia became a pariah.Edited clips of the video spread like wildfire, and she was mocked and scorned everywhere she went. She tried to seek refuge with Sandro, but he publicly disowned her, claiming she was the one who seduced him, which only made her more of a laughingstock.When I saw the news, I commented to Serafino, "That Sandro is a real bastard. Using Julia and then tossing her aside like trash. I thought he might have had some real feelings for her."He raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, my love. I looked into it. Those Valachi businesses he took over have some major hidden liabilities. He'll get what's coming to him soon enough."We

  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 14

    On the night of the gala, the ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria was glittering.I walked in wearing a custom sapphire-blue pantsuit, with Serafino at my side. He was dressed in a black Valentino suit, as elegant as a nobleman from a classical painting."It seems we're the center of attention," Serafino whispered in my ear.He was right. Every eye in the ballroom was on us, but the gazes were more scrutinizing than welcoming."Leona, you finally came."Julia's voice, laced with sarcasm, came from behind. I turned to see her and Isak approaching, both dressed impeccably, looking like the perfect couple."Julia. Isak," I nodded, my tone flat."We need to talk," Isak said, his eyes locking on mine, a complex storm of emotions within them. "About your recent actions."The surrounding guests seemed to sense the tension and quieted down, turning their attention to us."What is there to talk about?" I said coolly."Leona Rossi!" Julia suddenly raised her voice for the entire ballroom to hear. "Y

  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 13

    Isak didn't sleep all night.He tossed and turned, the scene in the cable car playing on a loop in his mind—Leona and that man, the way they looked at each other. That look used to be his alone.And Julia—"Julia, can you please not look at your phone while we're eating?"This was the third time this week. Ever since they’d returned from the mountains, Julia was constantly taking calls and texting during their dates, completely ignoring him."Sorry, darling. I've been a little busy lately," Julia replied dismissively, her eyes still glued to the screen.Isak looked at her, and Leona’s image surfaced in his mind. Leona would never be distracted when they were having dinner. Even at her busiest, she would listen intently, remembering every little detail he mentioned."Forget it," Isak said, standing up. "I'm heading home."As Isak walked away, a look of contempt crossed Julia’s face.She’d noticed Isak’s lingering obsession with Leona on the trip. That wasn’t a good sign. After all her s

  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 12

    Back at the cabin, the unease from seeing Isak finally faded."Thank you," I said, turning to Serafino. "You didn't have to stand up for me back there."His green eyes twinkled. "Perhaps I had selfish motives.""What motives?"Serafino took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage. "Leona, I want to formally propose something—"I instinctively wanted to cut him off, but he pressed on."I've been watching you since college. Not some shallow crush, but true admiration." His voice was soft, but every word was clear. "Your case studies in business school, the way you handle family affairs, your vision… Over the years, I've seen countless so-called elites, but no one has ever reached your level."I was stunned, and a little unnerved. My expression turned cold. "You've been investigating me?""Why?"He looked up, and his green eyes held a desperate resolve. "Because I have never met anyone like you.""Leona, you know the world people like us live in," he said softly. "It’s full of hypocris

  • The Ninth Time He Left   Chapter 11

    (Isak's POV)Isak opened the door. The house was as silent as a tomb.Leona was really gone. Gone for good.That day, Isak got a call from the family lawyer."Sir, Ms. Rossi has withdrawn all her funds from the joint accounts. Furthermore, she is demanding her half of the marital assets as stipulated in the agreement…"Isak’s hand trembled. He finally realized Leona wasn’t just throwing a fit. She wasn't playing hard to get.She was really leaving him.That night, Julia came to comfort him."Don't waste your tears on someone who doesn't deserve them, Isak," she said, kissing his neck. "I'll give you something much better."Isak didn't push her away.As Julia's kisses grew more intense, he closed his eyes, trying to forget the image of Leona walking away.Bodies tangled in the sheets. Julia whispered sweet nothings in his ear, but Isak's mind was filled with images of Leona—the giddy joy on her face when he proposed; their first, shy kiss; the excited way she’d hug him when she came hom

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