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All Chapters of The Ninth Time He Left: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

16 Chapters

Chapter 1

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 r

Chapter 2

When I got home, Isak was waiting on the sofa."Leona, baby, are you okay?" he said, rushing toward me, his face a mask of worry. "Let me see the wound."He reached to lift the fresh shirt I’d changed into, but I took a step back."It's fine. The doctor took care of it.""Don't be like that," he said, closing the distance. That familiar scent of his cologne filled my senses. "Let's go upstairs. Let me see."His hand snaked up my chest, his lips pressing against my neck. It was his go-to move. Whenever he thought I was upset, he used his body to distract me.It used to work every time.But tonight, I just felt tired."Isak, the wound hurts," I said, gently pushing him away. "Not tonight."He froze, a guilty look clouding his face. "Leona, I'm sorry. About tonight… I shouldn't have left you. I was in such a rush, my mind went blank…""It's fine," I said, my voice flat. "It was a normal reaction.""No, it wasn't," he insisted, pulling me into a tight hug. "You're my wife. I'm supposed to

Chapter 3

The conversation inside continued."Julia, tell us the craziest thing Isak ever did for you."Julia’s voice was bright with excitement. "Craziest? There are too many." She started counting on her fingers. "He beat a guy to a pulp for looking at me the wrong way three years ago. And he used to wire me money from his own accounts for my 'investments.' Fifty thousand at a time, easy."A cold rage washed over me."What else?" someone prodded."For the past year, he's flown to New York to see me every single week," Julia said smugly. "Thursday night flight, back to Vegas Sunday morning. He told Leona he was on business, but really…"She didn't have to finish. Everyone laughed knowingly.Every Thursday.I thought about Isak's frequent "business trips." Always Thursday to Sunday. He said it was work. I never doubted him."But the best part," Julia went on, "is that he'd bring Leona back a gift every time to cover his tracks. All those expensive watches, necklaces, bracelets… they were all gui

Chapter 4

I woke up the next afternoon. The hospital room was quiet, sunlight filtering through the blinds. My left arm was in a cast, and my chest was wrapped in thick bandages. The doctor said I was lucky. No vital organs were damaged."Ms. Leona, you're awake," a nurse said, entering the room. "Are you feeling any discomfort?""Where's my husband?" I asked, though I already knew the answer."Mr. Valachi was here this morning. He said there was urgent family business and to let you know he'd be back as soon as he could."Family business. That excuse again."Ms. Leona," the doctor said, coming in. "We'll need a family member to handle the insurance paperwork…"I closed my eyes, a bone-deep exhaustion washing over me."He's not my husband anymore," I said calmly. "We're over."Twenty more days. Then I can walk away from him. From all of this.As the words left my mouth, the door swung open.Isak rushed in, his hair a mess, still wearing last night's black shirt. His eyes were red-rimmed."Over?"

Chapter 5

I remembered the file Maria had compiled for me.Three years ago, the reason Isak and Julia never got together was because she'd met Sandro, a man with more power than Isak.She'd left Isak for Sandro, spending three years in New York with him. The only reason she was back now was because Sandro's family wouldn't let him marry her. They'd had a huge fight, so she'd come running back to her ex, hoping Isak would marry her as a final 'fuck you' to Sandro.After a long hesitation, I grabbed my car keys, the wound in my side throbbing.I didn't know what I expected to see. Maybe I just needed to see him risk his life for another woman one last time. Maybe that would finally kill the last bit of hope I had left.Russian Roulette. The cruelest duel. One bullet in a six-shooter. They take turns until someone's dead. Sandro was arrogant and brutal. Isak wouldn't stand a chance.I had just reached the parking garage when a black Bentley blocked my path. Julia got out, that sickeningly smug smil

Chapter 6

The air in the Calabria family's underground club was thick with the smell of whiskey and blood.I pushed through the crowd and saw the circle of shouting men. In the center, Isak and Sandro sat face to face, a silver revolver on the table between them."The rules are simple," Sandro said, toying with the gun. "Six chambers, one bullet. We take turns until one of us is dead."The crowd roared.First round. Sandro put the gun to his own temple and pulled the trigger.Click. An empty chamber.He pushed the gun toward Isak, a taunting smile on his face. "Your turn."Isak's hand was shaking. He picked up the gun, hesitating before pulling the trigger.Click. Another empty chamber.The second round, third, fourth… all empty.With the crowd jeering, Isak was losing his grip.On the fifth round, Sandro looked relaxed. "Two chances left. You sure you want to keep going?"Isak took a deep breath, said nothing, and raised the gun to his own temple.Then, locking eyes with Sandro, he yelled, "I T

Chapter 7

Just as I was about to speak, the elevator doors opened.Julia stepped out, an innocent smile on her face."Did you enjoy everything I planned for you tonight, Leona?"She planned it?I stared at Isak.He looked deeply uncomfortable."Isak said you've been upset, so I suggested this. It looks like you're enjoying it, right?""I booked the restaurant," Julia said, gesturing around. "The candlelight was my idea. The '82 Lafite was my choice. And the fireworks…" She paused, looking right at me. "I paid for those, too."I felt like I'd been hit by a truck."Julia was just trying to help us make up, don't overthink it…" Isak was still trying to explain.I didn't want to hear it.I shattered my wine glass on the floor, gave Isak one last look, and turned to leave.So much for a clean break.Down on the street, I got a text from Julia:"I just wanted you to know that even your last romantic moment was a charity case from me. How does it feel, Leona? To need my pity even to feel loved?"I igno

Chapter 8

After the party, Isak blew off his friends' offer to keep the celebration going and headed back to the villa alone.He was lost.He'd been obsessed with Julia, and it had always eaten at him that she ended up with someone else. His whole plan was to take her back.But now he had. And the thrill he'd imagined wasn't there. All he felt was a hollow space in his gut.Why? Isak asked himself.The huge house was empty. No Leona. The lamp she used for reading was off. Even her slippers were gone.He finally realized she was really gone.Isak ran upstairs. Leona’s clothes were gone. Her watch and cufflinks were gone from the vanity. Even the faint scent of her perfume was gone from her pillow.He frantically called her phone. "The number you have dialed is not available..."WhatsApp showed his messages were blocked. Her Instagram account was gone. Even her email had an auto-reply: This email is no longer in use.Isak threw his phone on the bed.He stared at the gift box and finally tore it op

Chapter 9

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

Chapter 10

Serafino and I talked late into the night. He was surprisingly good company.That night, I had a strange dream. I was back at Columbia, a junior again. A few girls from prominent families were mocking my humble origins. Just as I was about to throw a drink in their faces, a voice came from behind me."Leona, we're late for our study session."A boy with brown hair walked over, his hand resting naturally on my shoulder.The girls, seeing I had backup, walked away sullenly.At the time, I thought he was just a kind classmate. I never even got his name.But thinking back now, that face…"Damn it," I muttered, rubbing my temples. Why was I thinking of Serafino?Over the next few days, Serafino and I kept "bumping into" each other.The first time was on the ski slopes."Leona? Fancy meeting you here!" Serafino glided down from the expert trail, his movements fluid and perfect.The second time was at the coffee shop at the base of the mountain.The third time was at the supermarket.The four

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