All Chapters of Leaving the Don, Crowning Myself: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The day the medical institute sent me the full scholarship and the offer for the closed-off program,my best friend Alicia stared at me in shock. "Fully closed-off?Elena,this means you're stepping away from the Family completely.Leaving Vincent?" I shook my head,my voice soft."It's just for five years.I want to learn the best surgical and trauma care techniques.When I come back,I'll be able to save more of Vincent's men during gang wars." Alicia sighed and didn't try to persuade me otherwise. She knew the truth.Everything I did was for one man—Vincent. I said my goodbyes and hurried back to the estate.I was in a great mood.Five years was a long time,but to be able to help Vincent more,it was worth it. I couldn't wait to tell him.I could even picture the scene—he would yank me into his arms,hold me fiercely,and tell me in that deep,husky voice of his that he couldn't stand me leaving his side for even a second. My flight was in three days—exactly on our one-year wedding anniversar

Chapter 2

Every single pair of eyes in the room snapped toward me. Vincent's warning made my blood run cold. I forced a smile,my voice incredibly light."No,I'm just a little tired." His eyes remained icy,but he at least withdrew his gaze,going back to laughing and chatting with the guests. I sat back down,staring at the steak on my plate,unable to swallow a single bite.Every heartbeat throbbed with pain. After the banquet ended,I stopped him in the hallway outside the study. "Vincent,we need to talk.It's really important." "No time right now,"he didn't stop walking."Lila needs me." "This is about my future—and the medical supply lines for the entire Family!"I slammed the offer for the closed-off medical program onto the table. "I said,not right now!"He whipped his head around,his eyes full of irritation."Elena,can't you be understanding for once?Act more like Lila!Her father took a bullet for me,and I owe her!" That same line again.I was sick of hearing it. My heart went completely col

Chapter 3

I paused my packing and turned to look at him.Since I was leaving forever,I might as well put all my cards on the table. "I think we should—" "Here we go again,"Vincent scoffed,cutting me off."Another tantrum,another packed bag.Elena,how many times are you going to play this dramatic, crying-and-threatening-to-leave game?" "I'm not joking!I received—" "I don't want to hear your excuses."He waved his hand dismissively,like swatting a fly."The door is right there.Leave if you want to.I'm not sending a car to chase you down this time." I'm not chasing you down this time. Those words felt like a cold gun barrel pressed directly against my heart. The last shreds of our marriage shattered into dust.A wave of nausea surged in my chest,while he just stood there,completely unfazed. "Fine,"I turned back around and shoved my clothes into the suitcase."I'll stay at a friend's place for a few days.We both need to cool off." "Suit yourself,"he sneered,slamming the door shut behind him. I c

Chapter 4

(Vincent's POV) Inside a luxurious casino in Monaco,the summit's gala was in full swing. I held a flute of champagne,accepting toasts from various crime bosses.Lila had her arm looped through mine,smiling like a perfect socialite. Suddenly,my private burner phone vibrated in the inner pocket of my suit. It was a number known only to a few core members of the syndicate—and Elena. I set my glass down and pulled out the phone.A text from Elena flashed on the screen. It was just one short,ice-cold sentence:[The signed divorce papers are on the nightstand.From now on,we are nothing to each other.Don't come looking for me.] A loud,ringing buzz instantly drowned out my brain. Crash!The crystal glass slipped from my hand and shattered against the marble floor. Every Don in the room snapped their heads over in shock. My hands shaking,I dialed her number like a madman. "We're sorry,the number you have reached is powered off..." Once.Twice.Ten times. It was always that same,cold,mech

Chapter 5

(Vincent's POV) The moment the sun came up,I peeled out of the driveway in my sports car. The top medical institute's top-secret closed program...That was an entirely independent,highly secure medical base.Once someone joined,their file was completely sealed.Absolutely zero visitations were allowed. How was I supposed to find her?How was I supposed to beg her to come back? My mind latched onto only one person—Alicia,her best friend. I swerved my car onto the curb outside Alicia's apartment building and pounded on her door like a lunatic. The door swung open.Alicia stared at me coldly,her eyes full of utter disgust and contempt. "Alicia,I'm begging you."I gripped the doorframe with white knuckles,my voice ragged."I know she went to that medical program.Can you please get in touch with her?Just let me say one thing to her.Just one sentence!" "Get the hell away from me!"She shoved me hard."Now you finally want to look for her?Vincent,when that manipulative bitch Lila framed her an

Chapter 6

(Vincent's POV) Back at the estate,I sat in the empty study,my hands shaking so badly I could barely hold my phone. I had to text Elena.I had to explain,to beg for her forgiveness. But staring at the chat screen,I couldn't type a single word. I'm sorry?Too weak. I love you?Too late. Come back?What fucking right did I have? I typed and deleted,deleted and typed.Finally,I sent only three words. "I'm waiting for you." Send. Then I opened my encrypted Swiss bank account and transferred every single asset to my name over to her. It was the only thing I had left to give.If she refused to forgive me,at least this money would guarantee she’d be taken care of for the rest of her life. Three minutes later,the funds bounced back. My last shred of hope was smashed to pieces. She thought even my money was dirty. She was dead set on completely erasing me from her world. I violently hurled my phone against the wall and slumped deep into the leather sofa. After dark,like a masochist,I

Chapter 7

(Elena's POV) Ten years later.New York,Headquarters of the Top Medical Research Center. I stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of my top-floor office,looking out over the dazzling night skyline of Manhattan. "Dr.Elena,congratulations on winning'Global Figure of the Year in Surgery and Trauma Medicine'once again."Maya,my trusted assistant,handed me a heavy, gold-embossed invitation. "This makes the fifth time." The fifth time. In ten years,I had transformed from a heartbroken mafia Donna on the run into a surgical titan renowned across the medical world. The trauma reconstruction surgeries I performed had dragged countless powerful figures back from the brink of death.The specialized hemostatic tech and anti-infection protocols I developed had reshaped the entire surgical field. People in the medical world called me"The Hand of God."The World Medical Association listed me as one of the"Top Ten Figures Changing Global Healthcare." But no matter how many accolades I earned,t

Chapter 8

(Elena's POV) I looked into Vincent's eyes,swimming with sheer despair.My rational mind was screaming at me to refuse,but some demonic pull deep in my heart made me give in. "Fine,"I heard myself say."Just for a little bit." Vincent's eyes instantly lit up,like a death row inmate receiving a sudden pardon. "Really?You will?"He was babbling with excitement."My...my car is right outside." He turned to lead the way,but because he was rushing so fast,the metal brace on his right leg scraped loudly against the wall,making him stumble. I clenched my jaw and looked away. Forty minutes later,the bulletproof Maybach pulled into the estate. The moment the car door opened,the memories of ten years ago crashed down on me like an avalanche. The estate hadn't changed at all.The fountains,the sculptures,even the trim of the lawn was exactly the same as ten years ago. What shocked me the most were the daisies I had casually planted in the backyard—they were blooming wildly across the hills.

Chapter 9

(Elena's POV) "I'm not sleeping here tonight."I grabbed my bag."I booked a room at the Four Seasons downtown." Vincent looked like he’d been struck by lightning.He jerked forward,the metal brace on his right leg letting out a heavy,dull scrape. "Why?"His eyes went red with panic."The room upstairs is perfectly clean.I changed the sheets just today..." "Vincent."I looked at him coldly."We are no longer in the kind of relationship where we sleep under the same roof." It was as if someone had punched him square in the chest.He was nailed to the spot. "I...I understand."He lowered his head like an abandoned stray dog."I crossed the line." "Echo,come here."I gave the puppy one last pet."Goodbye." "I'll drive you to the hotel,"Vincent said urgently. "No need,I called a car." "Please."He slammed his hand against my car door,the veins popping on the back of his hand."Just let me drive you this one time.For the last time." Looking into his stubborn,desperate eyes,I yielded. The ride

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