Semua Bab Leaving Him in the Dust: Bab 1 - Bab 9

The Gambinos' special encrypted communication device hummed, and I heard Luca sighing in exasperation. "I've told the hospital to resume our mother's treatment, so behave and stop lying just to hoard money. I know it's difficult with your humble roots, but our treasury is not yours to siphon off."Even as I listened, I was staring at my mother's lifeless body, covered under a white cloth."Yeah," I replied shortly, and put away the communication device to sign the divorce papers.He must be thinking that I was throwing a tantrum by not asking him for money.After all, I led the most undignified marriage with him, just to save my mother who had a heart condition.I had no income because he forbade me from working, telling me that the Gambino Donna had no reason to work outside his house.However, he also insists on putting me on a budget—every cent I spend must clear a very strict approval procedure by the family, whether I was buying bread, candles, or even wool socks for my moth

Returning to the manor, I began packing my belongings, which I didn't have much despite being married to Luca for three years.All the family wealth was locked up in the safe in the vault room, all entrusted by Luca to Lina and to be governed by her whim.Only she knew the password, which was why I needed her approval for everything, including my mother's medicine.It was just like queuing up outside a soup kitchen.One time, I asked for fifty euros more to get my mother some socks, and Lina flung the note at my face in front of the entire accounting department. "A slumdog is always a slumdog! All you do is take money from us!"Then, she forced me to publicly apologize and made me stand outside in the winter snow for three hours.Luca knew that, but he merely clapped my shoulder and said, "I know you married me for my money, but know your place. You have no business being the Donna if money is all you care about—and I don't want you to be like that."I sighed at those memories a

Luca froze at my words, his electric blue gaze piercing me.Soon, he sighed, his glare suspicious again. "Please don't make jokes like that, Erin. Your mother's perfectly fine, so how could she just—"I laughed, cutting him short as I wheeled on him. "She would've been alive! The surgery was only 200,000 Euros! But your dear secretary rejected my request because family rules, and now she's dead! And you only ever think that I'm lying!"Silence ensued, but what little doubt Luca started to feel soon faded as Lina bellowed, "No, that's not it! She immediately demanded 200,000, and it's natural that I'd presume she's trying to siphon money off again! That's how she has always tricked you for money!"Luca scowled again at her words and shrugged at me as if my lie had been exposed.Flustered, I reached for my mother's death certificate. "I'm not lying. There's proof right here, look—"Luca frowned as I clearly wasn't joking, but even before I could hand the death certificate to him, L

With my outstanding performance, the Solons quickly confirmed me as a core member.I was even brought along for their meeting with the Gambinos, just to help make things easy. With a face mask and only my eyes showing, I took my designated seat without looking at everyone.As they discussed terms, regulation of prices, and how they would split the market, I stayed silent.When they talked about the details of our alloy's advantages, I would interrupt if someone missed a point, elaborating on the data with precision.My words were calm, to the point and without wasting words, but as soon as I spoke, I felt a stare.It was Luca.He was seated opposite the table, but his eyes were now glued to me in suspicion, but he couldn't just approach me to confirm it in the middle of the meeting.I didn't hide from his stare, but I didn't respond either.Soon, the meeting was over.As everyone started to leave, I barely made a step when I felt my arm being grabbed.Luca was already right

On the anniversary of my mother's passing, I stood before her grave, her ash urn in hand.I laid flowers but didn't cry, merely standing silently to keep her company.I heard footsteps behind me, but I didn't even need to look to know that it was Luca.He walked up to my side, looking at the grave and then at me.Suddenly he dropped on his knees before the ice-cool slab.He apologized out loud to my mother and me, saying that he knew the truth now—that he would give me half his family wealth if I forgave him and returned to his side.I looked downward at him and sighed. "It's too late."I gently put down my mother's ash on the slab and pulled out a document—the patent claim of the ghost alloy.Watching him, I said calmly, "This is my latest invention, but I've deferred the patent to the Solons. You and your family will be gone soon enough."Luca's eyes widened at me in disbelief, and he clearly tried to speak, but no words came out.I then tucked away the paper and headed to