All Chapters of After Another Woman Cured the Don's OCD, I Left: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"Donna, wait up."A sugary voice came from behind me. It was Fiona.She was Elio's new assistant, and she was always hanging off him.I'd told Elio more than once how I felt about her.He'd only smile and tell me not to be so sensitive.I stopped.Fiona hurried around in front of me, her red lips parted, catching her breath."Donna, the Don... the Don says please don't be upset.""He can't speak for himself? He needs you to carry his messages?""You know how it is." She gave me a wounded look. "The Don won't leave the meeting."His rules again.The Wednesday meeting, nine to eleven, was the one time that could never be interrupted. Not even for me.And that was hardly the only one. Elio had plenty of rules.Like how he only used things he'd chosen himself.He had never once worn the wedding anniversary watch I gave him.But he'd fasten himself the cheap cufflinks from Fiona, then stand at the mirror straightening his cuffs.He couldn't stand anyone touching his things.Even when I was

I looked Elio dead in the eye and said coldly, "Your visitor?"Elio never let outsiders into the house.Unless he gave the nod, there was no way Fiona could set foot on the Moretti estate.He took a step back, came to stand shoulder to shoulder with Fiona, and avoided my eyes."I've figured out why you're upset. I asked her here so she could explain.""Fiona isn't the kind of person you think she is..."That made me laugh in spite of myself."Someone called her Donna and she didn't deny it. Go on, then. Tell me what kind of person she is."Two weeks ago, Elio took me to a family gathering, and Fiona came along.The whole night she stayed pressed close to his side.The two of them traded whispers and laughed out loud together, thick as thieves.One of the new men got the wrong idea, kissed Fiona's hand, and said."Donna Moretti, I had no idea you'd be so young and beautiful."Fiona looked at him with a smile and didn't deny it.If it weren't for Elio's standing, I'd have slapped her acr

The messages just kept flooding in.Elio. 99+ missed calls.In seven years I'd never seen him lose his composure like this.There were too many. I had no patience for it and skimmed a few.[It's nine. Danielle, get over here and apologize now. I'm warning you, my patience is running out.][It's midnight. Where on earth are you? Answer the phone.][Baby, what's wrong, don't scare me. I'm sending my men out to find you.][Baby, I haven't slept all night. Nothing can happen to you. Answer the phone.][Baby, what on earth is going on?]I stared at that last line, what on earth is going on, and it made me want to laugh.The great Don of the Moretti family, and he couldn't figure out what he'd done?I ignored him.Beyond sending him the divorce papers, I wanted nothing to do with him.My father came to the airport himself.The years had cut wrinkles into his face and, along with them, a certain authority.But his eyes were gentle, and he was smiling and waving me over.I'd barely gotten into

That evening my father and I were at dinner when the butler came in."Miss Danielle. Don Moretti is asking to see you."I raised an eyebrow.Elio's private jet really was in for repairs. How had he gotten here?I thought about it and answered, "Let him in."A moment later Elio came in, empty-handed.He took off his hat in a show of respect to my father. "Don Gallo, I came in a rush and had no time to prepare a gift. Forgive me."My father gave him a glance and said nothing.I kept my head down, cutting my steak. "It doesn't matter. We didn't prepare any dinner for you either."He said my name plaintively. "Danielle..."I lifted my eyes to him.He looked far more haggard than before.His eyes were webbed with fine red threads, and heavy dark shadows hung beneath them.Stubble covered his face in a gray shadow, with nothing left of the polished man he'd been."Isn't your jet in for repairs?" I couldn't help asking. "How did you get here?""I flew commercial."He answered at once, wearing

It was one in the morning when the phone woke me.I picked it up and saw a video call request from Fiona.I hung up.She sent a message.Donna, please pick up the video call, or I'll die.I was still staring at it when she called again.I sighed and answered.On the screen, Fiona was drenched in sweat, her eyes bloodshot, her voice full of shock and fear."Donna, I'm begging you, please go back with the Don.""He says if you won't, he'll prove to you himself that he doesn't love me..."Her whole face collapsed, crumpling like a wadded-up sheet of paper."He's going to cut off my fingers... please, Donna, save me..."I raised an eyebrow, mulled it over for a moment, and said, "Where's Elio?"The picture jolted, and Elio came into frame."Danielle, everything I told you is true. I didn't lie to you.""The truth is I've been sick to death of Fiona for a long time. If you don't believe me, I'll prove it myself."With that, he drew a dagger, its blade glinting cold.Fiona shrieked outright