All Chapters of A Deadly Divorce: Chapter 11 - Chapter 17

"Impossible… How could she let go of me?!" Dante muttered uncontrollably.Sofia loved him so much. How could she really leave?She had to be bluffing. She must be trying to scare him and vying for his attention.Yes. That had to be it.Just then, another call came in.It was Dr. Caldwell, Eleanor Mitchell’s attending physician and the heart specialist the family had recruited at great expense from an elite East Coast medical institution."Mr. Falcone, there’s something I need to tell you…" Dr. Caldwell’s voice carried guilt and panic. "When Eleanor suffered cardiac arrest last month, we could have saved her, but… someone paid me to delay treatment at the critical moment."I… I’ve been living with overwhelming guilt. Now the FBI has found me. They want my cooperation. I’m sorry, Mr. Falcone. I can’t help you anymore."I’ve hired a lawyer and am preparing to negotiate a plea with federal agents."In that instant, Dante felt as if thunder had exploded inside his skull. He could b

Three months later, my research achieved a breakthrough.Every morning, I went to work at the CERN Biomedical Laboratory. In the afternoons, I walked along Lake Geneva or read in nearby cafes. At night, I returned home and continued my personal research projects.I was working on a new cancer gene therapy.It was a project I had begun years ago at Harvard, one that had been interrupted by marriage. Now, at last, I had the time and energy to pick it up again.The colleagues at the research center were all kind. Unaware of my past, they treated me like any other researcher. No one looked at me strangely or whispered behind my back. The feeling was wonderful.One afternoon, I was analyzing data in the lab when I suddenly received a call from Emma."Ms. Rossi, there’s an American gentleman here to see you. He says he’s your… husband."My hand froze. The test tube nearly slipped from my fingers."Tell him I’m not here," I said in a low voice. "And don’t let anyone into the house aga

Six months later, my research achieved a major breakthrough.After repeated experiments and data analysis, the cancer gene therapy project finally entered the clinical trial phase.The director of the CERN research center, Dr. Heinrich Vogel, was extremely pleased with my work. He also recommended that I attend an international medical conference, the European Cancer Research Conference held in Paris."Dr. Rossi, your research is extremely valuable," he said sincerely.Dr. Vogel was a kind, elderly German professor. "I believe that if this therapy succeeds, it will save countless lives. You should let more people know about your work."I nodded and accepted his advice.The conference was held in Paris.When I stood at the podium at the Sorbonne, presenting my research findings to medical experts from around the world, I suddenly thought of many years ago.I remembered standing at a Harvard symposium, presenting my first paper. Back then, I had been just as confident, just as fu

Another autumn arrived.I returned to the United States alone to visit my mother’s grave. Her resting place was in a quiet cemetery in Springfield.The grave was covered with fresh flowers. I hired someone to clean it regularly, so it was always neat and spotless.Kneeling before the headstone, I spoke softly, "Mom, I’m doing very well now. My research has saved many people."I’ve found myself again. I’ve found the meaning of my life. You don’t need to worry about me anymore."A light breeze brushed past, lifting my hair, like my mother gently stroking my head.After visiting the grave, I drove through downtown Boston. While waiting at a red light at an intersection near Copley Square, I saw a familiar figure.Dante.He was sitting in a wheelchair, huddled alone in the shadows at the street corner, a tattered blanket draped over his body.Boston’s autumn wind swept fallen leaves across the ground. He looked frail and desolate, the once-overbearing aura of Don's dominance compl