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Home / Mafia Short Story / Twelve Years Later, His Canary Flew Away / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Twelve Years Later, His Canary Flew Away: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

11 Chapters

Chapter 1

I had stood by Soren's side as he clawed his way up from a low-level enforcer to the rank of capo. He had promised me countless times that he would take me away from this violent underworld to live a quiet life in Northern Europe.Only now did I see the truth. A new woman, the lure of power—both were more important than the fiancée who had been with him for over a decade.Soren's words were a bullet straight through my heart.That clean future was the one escape we had earned after twelve years of fighting and bleeding, of clinging to each other since our days on the streets.And just like that, he destroyed it.He couldn't even be bothered to tell me to my face.Inside the club, his drunken men continued their discussion."That Abby would never give up this life of luxury. Without the Boss's protection, she wouldn't last a day out there.""Exactly. After all the good years the Boss gave her? No way she'd walk away from that."Someone else added, "And the Boss is right. It's smart not

Chapter 2

I wrapped my arms around myself, curling into a ball in the darkness.The truth was, I could live without him.I was not the canary he spoke of, not some pretty vase, not a woman incapable of surviving on her own.In fact, it was the other way around. Ever since we were kids, whenever I chose a different path from him, he would grow restless and agitated, and my presence was the only thing that could calm him.So I moved forward with my own plans, quietly becoming his only safe harbor, all while being careful not to challenge his position.Soren wasn't wrong. He had always been part of my life's plan.As long as he didn't cross a line, I was willing to compromise for the sake of our love.But that didn't mean I was a doormat.I wiped my tears and tore up every document related to our Northern Europe escape plan.He had his ambition, and I had my principles.From now on, I would pay his decisions no mind.Just as I composed myself, my phone rang.It was Marco, Soren's right-hand man."A

Chapter 3

He started doing more and more business with Monica.He even introduced her to his inner circle.By the time I realized what was happening, my own allies were singing her praises.Soren was exceptionally attentive to Monica.Once, we had a massive fight over her family's business, which led to three months of cold silence.I had told him, "If you want Monica, I'll walk away."But Soren had held me and cried. He said, "You're the only one I care about.""Monica's family is powerful. They have channels, resources. I'm just using her to make connections. We're just business partners.""Don't overthink it, baby."I believed him.Looking back now, I hadn't thought about it enough.Soren had treated me like a complete idiot.Their "partnership" grew closer and closer, the word a convenient cover for whatever was happening between them.And now, he had betrayed our vows for her.I was the real fool in their perfect, golden fairy tale.I snapped back to reality. Night had fallen, and Soren's m

Chapter 4

I stopped at the restaurant's entrance, replaying Soren's words in my head.So arrogant. He really thought his word was law.He thought he could tempt me with the promise of enormous wealth.He thought I would abandon my principles for money, for status, for some so-called "future," and follow him to Italy like a puppy.He was dreaming.If I cared about those things, I wouldn't have rejected old Don Moretti's proposal three years ago.That old man had promised me control over the entire East Coast art market if I married him.What would I have needed Soren for then?He knew exactly how I felt but chose to ignore it. And I was tired of trying to explain.After all, he found placating me to be a huge hassle, and I found explaining myself to him just as tiresome.Thank God I had finally woken up.Back in the restaurant, Darrel noticed my expression and insisted on taking me to his private art gallery."You need to clear your head," he said softly, his eyes gentle.I nodded and followed hi

Chapter 5

I looked at Monica. Her words were utterly ridiculous."If you're not happy, I can pull out of this alliance."A flash of triumph flickered in Monica's eyes before it was masked by a look of wounded innocence."I truly don't want to ruin your relationship. If my presence is making you uncomfortable, I can have my family cancel the partnership with Soren.""I can even cut off all contact with him, if it will give you peace of mind."Her voice trembled as if she were on the verge of tears.What a performance.Seeing Monica's tears, Soren immediately grew protective, shielding her behind him."Abby, that's enough!""Monica is doing this for us. How can you treat her like this?""She's willing to back out of the alliance for you. What more do you want?"I couldn't help but laugh at the scene before me."What do I want?""Do you really think this is what keeping a professional distance looks like?"Soren's expression turned ugly."What's not professional? We're just business partners.""Do

Chapter 6

When I went downstairs to open the door, Soren was standing right there.He was in a black suit, his hair slightly disheveled.Before I could speak, I caught the scent of a familiar perfume.It wasn't the kind I wore.I almost wished he'd learned sooner how to sweet-talk and lie to me, to sweep me so far off my feet that I would have loved him blindly.But thank God he hadn't, because it meant I could still be myself."Abby, we need to talk." He reached out to touch my face."Italy is where the power is, Abby. It's where the real game is played.""If you want to see the northern lights, we can go anytime. A private jet will get us there in a few hours.""Besides, you can't survive in this world on your own.""The only way you stay safe is with me."In the script I'd written in my head, I would have slapped him and walked away without a second thought.But right now, my feet felt glued to the floor.I managed to take a step back, avoiding his hand."That perfume you're wearing is rather

Chapter 7

"Who the hell are you to decide my life for me? What gives you the right?"I swept the coffee cup off the table, sending hot liquid splashing across the floor."What the hell is wrong with you, Abby? What did I say?""Get off your high horse! What difference does it make where you play trophy wife?""After all these years, you really think you can live without me? Weren't you the one who always dreamed of marrying me? Of being my little accessory?"Hearing those words, I felt a fire ignite inside me.Trophy wife, high and mighty, accessory...I didn't hold back. I raised my hand and slapped him, hard.The sharp crack of the slap echoed in the room."Get out. Get the hell out!" I pointed to the door."Abby!""Get out!"Soren slowly lowered his hand, a clear red print blooming on his cheek."Fine. Just fine.""You'll regret this."His face was a thundercloud as he spat the words."You won't last a week alone in New York before you come crying to me for protection!"I was trembling with r

Chapter 8

"Where the hell are you hiding?"The moment I answered, Soren's roar filled my ear."I haven't seen you in a day!""You think hiding is going to solve anything?"I looked out the window at the ocean view, my heart calm."I'm just getting some air.""Getting some air?" Soren scoffed."Where the hell could you go on your own?""There isn't a corner of this city I don't own."I didn't answer his question."If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up.""Wait!" Soren's voice grew urgent."Abby, where are you?""I've had my men check everywhere you could possibly be.""Hotels, your friends' places, even your family's old house. You're nowhere."I could hear the interrogation in his voice, the conviction that I would break from the loneliness.But I just told him I was relaxing, and I could tell he didn't believe a word of it."Stop screwing around and come back. I'm waiting downstairs.""I told you, I'm just getting some air.""You're lying! You never go out alone for more than half a day."His

Chapter 9

He hadn't seen me in a week, and Soren looked haggard, the dark circles under his eyes too deep to hide.But jealousy and anger quickly burned away any trace of weariness."You look beautiful," Soren said, striding toward us."Dressing up for another man?""You're coming back with me."He reached for my arm, his grip tight."Abby, stop messing with these outsiders. We have business to discuss..."Before he could finish, Darrel shoved him away."She doesn't want you touching her. Can't you see that?"Soren froze for a second, then grabbed Darrel by the collar."He's right. I don't want you to touch me.""You're siding with an outsider against me?"Soren looked at me, his face a mask of disbelief, as if he were the one who had been betrayed."Yes.""Abby... but what about me?"His voice was thick with an undeniable sadness, but I just turned and walked away, my expression cold.He was once my future, but now he was just a stranger I was cutting out of my life.I was certain. I had to sev

Chapter 10

"Abby, do you have a heart? Are you enjoying this, playing these little games?""You've made Soren a nervous wreck, and his business in Italy is falling apart."I was completely baffled, and I asked her honestly."I'm opening an art gallery in New York. What kind of 'game' is that?"Don't tell me that after all this time, they were still dreaming I'd come back to them.God, I wish I had Soren's confidence.I was about to hang up when Soren's voice came through the phone.It sounded exhausted."I know you're still angry, but throwing a tantrum like this won't do anyone any good.""You're just being stubborn. I know you.""You can't make it in New York without me.""Soren, stop deluding yourself. You're the one who's spiraling, whose judgment is shot. You're the one who can't live without me.""Look at you now, running around like a madman trying to find me."The line went dead silent. It was a long time before he spoke again."No... I'm not.""Then how is it that since we've been apart,

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