All Chapters of The Sixth Goodbye: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

This wasn’t the first time Gianna Greco had come between Lorenzo Vitale and me. Gianna was the daughter of the Vitales’ consigliere. Three years ago, her brother squandered the family fortune in Las Vegas after their father died of cancer. Don Benito Vitale reached out to lend a hand, setting her up in a luxury apartment in Long Island. She had lived there ever since. To keep up with her life of privilege, Gianna would play sweet to get money from my boyfriend, Lorenzo. Lorenzo was Benito’s second-born son. With Matteo, the firstborn, taking over the family’s mafia empire, Lorenzo was free to keep his hands clean. Benito secured Lorenzo a well-paying job at an investment firm in Manhattan, but the money was nowhere near enough to keep up with Gianna’s endless demands. So, Lorenzo started skimming money from the family’s books. He worked with one of the veteran family accountants in the shadows, funneling Benito’s money into Gianna’s account. Even Matteo chose to look

Chapter 2

When news got to my mother that I called the wedding off with the intention to break up with Lorenzo, she looked at me and sighed. “It’s for the best. You aren’t right for each other.” Fighting back the tears, I nodded. “That’s true, Mom. We are not a good fit.” Once my mother was gone, my phone lit up. Gianna sent me a brief video clip. In the video, Lorenzo lay in a hospital bed, his right arm bandaged up and his face pale. He pulled a smile, his voice raspy. “Why are you crying? When have I broken a promise about getting you anything?” Then came a text from Gianna. “He’s awake. He said he’s going to figure something out about the penthouse. Don’t be mad at him. There’s nothing to worry about.” She even attached a tongue-out emoji at the end of the message. I didn’t respond to her text. Half an hour later, I returned to the apartment I shared with Lorenzo. I dug out a suitcase and started packing my things. My hand paused when I pulled out the bottom drawer of t

Chapter 3

In truth, things between Lorenzo and me weren’t always like this. Back when we started dating, Lorenzo was just an analyst at a firm in Manhattan. More than anyone, Loren was dying to prove that he could make VP before the age of thirty without his family’s shadow. The first thing he did when his bonus cleared was take me to look at the townhouses in Williamsburg, mapping out our future on the blueprints. At the time, his eyes were full of hope for our future. That changed when Gianna’s father passed away three years ago. Though Gianna’s brother had blown off the family’s entire fortune, Gianna kept up with her lavish lifestyle. Spoiled rotten, Gianna had properties across the globe, endless designer bags, the latest sports cars, and millions in fine jewelry. Gianna would go to Lorenzo for whatever she wanted. No matter how much Lorenzo made, it was never enough to meet Gianna’s endless demands. Eventually, he started helping Matteo deal with the family’s more unsav

Chapter 4

Half an hour later, I arrived at the in-patient ward on the third floor. Before I could open the door and enter, Marco’s voice drifted from the other side of the wooden frame. “Lorenzo, you went too far this time. The money was set aside for your wedding with Naomi. It’s a million bucks. Did you give every last penny to Gianna to get the penthouse? Aren’t you terrified that Naomi’s going to dump you for standing her up today, too?“Everybody knows how much Naomi has done for you over the last five years. She doesn’t earn much as a researcher, but she’s been pinching pennies and saving for you. Don’t you think you’re not fair to her?” Through the crack of the door, Lorenzo fell silent for a bit before answering firmly, “She won’t. We’ve been together for five years. You don’t just throw that sort of history away. You know Naomi. She’s too soft for her own good. Every time we fight, all I have to do is give in, and she’ll forgive me. Once I’m out of the hospital in a couple of da

Chapter 5

(Lorenzo’s perspective)Three days later, Lorenzo opened the door to the apartment, his left arm in a sling.He picked up a bouquet of red roses from the florist downstairs with the intention of playing the repentant boyfriend like the last time. “Naomi, I’m finally discharged. I bought you—” It was quiet in the apartment. Furrowing his brows, he walked into the bedroom. “Are you still upset? Here I am, rushing straight to you from the hospital to make it up to—” His voice came to a screeching halt when he opened the wardrobe. With the wardrobe doors wide open, every single piece of her clothing, including her bags, shoes, and scarves, was gone. The wardrobe was empty, save for a few lonely hangers. The smile on his face froze. Whipping around, he made a mad dash into the bathroom, kitchen, and balcony. There was nothing. Everything was gone. Even the sticky notes she left on the fridge were peeled off without a trace. His heart skipped a beat. Soon enough,

Chapter 6

“Naomi!” A harsh scream broke into my conversation with Tyler. Snapping my head up, I saw Lorenzo heading my way. He wore a crumpled black jacket, his bandages showing from his sleeve. Gianna was right behind him. She strutted on her heels, tuning in to the drama. Lorenzo stared at Tyler, who was right beside me, and sneered, “No wonder you left in the middle of the night with your luggage. I see why you ghosted me for three days. Naomi, you’ve got a lot of nerve. Is this the reason why you can’t wait to break up with me? You found yourself someone else behind my back, and now, you’re heading abroad with him.” Before I could speak, Tyler stepped out in front of me. “Sir, please show some respect.” Tyler turned to me. “Naomi, is he your ex?” I nodded. “That’s right, professor. Sorry, you have to witness this.” Tyler turned around and faced Lorenzo in scrutiny. “I am the lead advisor for the Arctic Geological Expedition. Naomi is a core member of our research team. We a

Chapter 7

After more than ten hours in the air, I finally set foot in Iceland. The wind in Reykjavik was biting against my face, carrying a hint of ocean brine. Somehow, the crushing weight in my chest was lifted. The moment I arrived at the base and connected to the satellite network, my phone buzzed frantically. I was bombarded with messages from Lorenzo. “Naomi, please pick up the phone. I know I messed up.” “I have cut ties with Gianna. I won’t do her any more favors.” “I’ve blocked her number. I swear.” “I didn’t realize what you meant to me until you were gone. The apartment is full of your scent. I can’t sleep without you here.” I stared at the long-overdue expressions of remorse. Where was he when I begged him in tears to keep his hands clean three years ago? Where was he when I sat in the hallway of the hospital, waiting for him to get stitches? Where was he when Gianna sent a video to rub my face in it? Now, it was all too late. With the tap of my finger, I

Chapter 8

The work at the polar observatory was far more demanding than I had expected. Every morning, I would suit up in my heavy expedition gear and navigate between glaciers and permafrost with Tyler. My life revolved around drilling holes, collecting samples, mapping, and running data logs. I worked from six in the morning to eight in the evening, having virtually no break except for meals. The sheer exhaustion on my physical body somehow healed my fractured mind. Not only did I survive the Arctic’s bitter cold for three months, but I gained five pounds as well. Color returned to my pasty face. The hair I lost in clumps due to anxiety had grown back with a vengeance. Tyler observed the data I had compiled and patted my shoulder emotionally. “Naomi, you’re meant to work in this field. I see the light in your eyes again.” I stared at the spectacular northern lights outside the window and smiled. That was right. I felt alive again. One evening on a weekend, I checked the ti

Chapter 9

Three years later, the Arctic Expedition came to an end. On the day I handed over the last batch of data, the endless daylight poured into the observatory. I pushed open the laboratory door, only to have a perfectly warm latte pressed against my cheek.“Naomi, congratulations on a job well done.” The man standing before me wore a weatherproof jacket. His features were gentle. There was something assuring and warm about his smile. His name was Ethan Brown, a chief exploration specialist who had been transferred from the Geological Bureau to back us up when the expedition was in its second year. He was different from Lorenzo. Ethan was like a quiet, deeply rooted tree with steady branches that would not snap and crash on you. We had collected samples together on glaciers in twenty-below weather and pulled countless all-nighters when our data went wrong.When it was my time of the month, he’d quietly lug the heavier equipment without a word and inspect my harness twice bef

Chapter 10

The moment I stepped out of the airport terminal, the Manhattan sun spilled across my face, warm and soft. Yet, a quiet sadness stirred within me. I knew that Lorenzo was right behind me, staring at my back. It was clear to me that Lorenzo would spend the rest of his days in regret and isolation. However, none of that mattered anymore. My new life had just begun. A month later, Ethan and I tied the knot in a church in Manhattan. Standing at the end of the red carpet in a sharp suit, Ethan beamed as I walked toward him. My parents sat in the front row, grinning from ear to ear. When it came time to exchange rings, Ethan kissed the back of my hand tearfully. “Naomi, thank you for trusting me with the rest of your life. I swear I won’t ever let you be hurt.” I looked at him, my eyes welling up. Applause erupted around us as a soft glow of the candle cast over Ethan’s face. Getting on my tiptoes, I gently held him. A soft breeze drifted in through the window, carr

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