Accueil / The Donna's Choice / Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 8

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Chapter 1

I slid the divorce papers across the desk to Dante, pretending they were just another family contract. He didn't even glance at them—just scrawled his signature at the bottom and kept going.Half an hour until nine.Nothing mattered more than family business.I stared at the papers for a long time, dazed. I hadn't expected it to be that easy.By the time I tucked the signed papers into my bag, Dante was stepping out of the bathroom.He caught my movement and paused."It's just a contract. Did you really have to deliver it yourself?"I blinked, then shook my head."No."He frowned, clearly not following, but he just checked his watch and said impatiently:"It's almost nine. Anything else you need to tell me?"I hesitated for two seconds. Then shook my head."No."He nodded, stepped forward, and pressed a kiss to my forehead."Good. Then goodnight."And he was out the door.I sat there for a while, zoning out.Just as I was about to get up, Dante's tablet lit up—Alexa's call syncing acro

Chapter 2

Just as I was about to head home, the family called. They needed me to fill out some trust paperwork.When I reached Dante's office door, I saw Alexa sitting with him, sharing lunch. She casually lifted her half-finished smoothie to his lips.Dante hated dairy.But now—he just wrinkled his brow slightly, then sighed and took a sip under her coaxing.Alexa's voice was soft and warm: "How is it? Good?"Dante nodded. "Not bad."I couldn't help the bitter smile that tugged at my mouth.Inside the office, Dante naturally reached over and wiped a crumb from the corner of Alexa's mouth with a tissue, his voice low. "Slept well last night? Any insomnia?""Perfect," Alexa smiled. "You know I sleep fine as long as you talk to me."Then she seemed to think of something. "But I heard you don't take calls after nine—was I bothering you?"Dante didn't hesitate. "You're the exception."His men, Daniel, chimed in from the side: "You two are quite the pair."Another man, Kevin, agreed: "Right. Whenever

Chapter 3

The car cruised down the street when gunfire erupted not far away.In an instant, five black sedans boxed us in, slamming into our vehicle again and again.We were all in the back. Dante pressed against Alexa, and me across from him.I gripped my seatbelt and looked at Dante instinctively."Nora!"Dante started to unbuckle to get to me, but the driver cut in."Don, it's too dangerous for you to unbuckle right now."Another impact rocked the car.Alexa screamed.Dante pulled her close, shielding her against his chest."Damn it, where the hell is Daniel?" he shouted toward the window.Bullets sparked against the glass with sharp cracks. I covered my head.A cramp twisted low in my belly.I realized my baby was frightened too, fighting, struggling inside me.The pain drained the color from my face.I whispered Dante's name, reaching out for him."Dante..."His eyes were fixed on the window, flicking between the gunfire outside and Alexa.I called again.He heard me this time. His brow pin

Chapter 4

The doctor said the bleeding was caused by the shock and wouldn't affect the baby, but next time might be different.Back home, I packed my suitcase. Five years of marriage, and my belongings couldn't even fill one bag.Before leaving, I slid the divorce papers into his desk drawer.As I was about to go, Dante walked in from outside.He saw me and paused. "Daniel said you went to the hospital."I nodded."Anything wrong?" he asked.I shook my head. "Just some routine stuff.""Routine stuff still needs attention." He took off his jacket. "I'll have the family doctor come check on you tomorrow."I shook my head. "No need.""You're my Donna. Your health always comes first in this family."He turned and wrapped his arms around me. I caught the scent of sandalwood on him.He kissed my cheek. "Oh, and since you never picked a place, I went ahead and chose."I blinked. "What?"Dante stroked my hair. "The South of France. I picked one of my grandmother's estates. Top-tier lavender and oysters,

Chapter 5

Dante's POVDante's chest seized, like someone had just clamped a fist around his heart."What's wrong?"Alexa's voice came from beside the bed."Nothing."He answered, his voice steady.But the ache in his chest wouldn't let up."I'm scared. I can't sleep—"Alexa said.Dante got up and sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand gently."I'm right here."Alexa was quiet for a moment. Then she pushed the blanket aside, revealing the curve of her waist and the full lines of her thighs."Thank you, Dante." Her voice dropped lower. "Thank you for always being there for me."Her warmth seeped through the thin sleepwear, carrying the faint scent of shampoo.Dante's body went rigid for a second. He reached out and gripped her shoulders—not hard, but enough to put half an arm's length between them again."Your father saved my life."His voice was soft."Protecting you is my duty."Alexa looked visibly disappointed, but her hand still clung to his.Dante frowned, trying to pull back.But he n

Chapter 6

Dante's POVDante's office was dead silent.His men sat together, no one daring to look up at him.The poster for the South of France estate lay on Dante's desk, two plane tickets pressed beneath it.Dante sat there without a word, his face completely blank.He held the divorce papers. He'd lost count of how many times he'd read them.That was his signature.But he couldn't even remember when he'd signed it.Dante stared at the signature without moving, utterly fixated.The door creaked open. Alexa walked in carrying a lunch container. She set it by his hand."You haven't eaten breakfast," she said, voice soft and proper. "All your favorites."Dante looked down at the container.Truffle scrambled eggs. Smoked salmon.Every dish was something Alexa thought he liked. But he didn't actually like any of it.What he loved was Nora's French stew. The one she made in that cheap enamel pot, simmering for three hours until the beef fell apart with a spoon and the carrots soaked up all the broth

Chapter 7

After the art exhibition ended, my flower shop officially opened.Business was never the point. I just loved flowers.My work was simple: arranging bouquets during the day, sitting outside with coffee, watching customers browse.I loved this life.After posting my last update, I deleted everyone connected to Dante.I never thought I'd see him again. At least, I didn't want to.But fate loved its jokes.That evening, as I walked home, I spotted a lonely figure standing under the dim streetlamp.My steps faltered. Dante saw me, and his face held an expression I couldn't read.I tried to turn away. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around me."I'm sorry..."I struggled, pushing against his chest.Dante said, "I didn't know about the baby. I put you in danger so many times."I stopped fighting.Dante went on, "But Nora, please believe me. I never had any feelings for Alexa. I never crossed any lines. My love, my wife, my Donna—it's only ever been you."I stood there listening.Honestl

Chapter 8

When I arrived, Dante was still lying on the hospital bed, eyes shut tight.His face was pale.In five years together, I'd never seen him like this.I was about to leave when the man behind me suddenly blinked awake. His voice came out hoarse and raw."Nora..."I stopped. I turned and met his eyes. One calm, one wrecked."Do you hate me that much?"Dante's eyes burned."Every time I had a fever or my stomach acted up, you were there. Taking care of me."I looked back at him, expression flat.He went on. "After I became Don, I learned to hide everything. But it's killing me, because even now—even with you leaving and me falling apart—I still don't know how to show it."I watched his eyes slowly redden at the edges. I felt nothing.There were nights. So many nights. When I was terrified of disturbing him, so I swallowed my tears alone. I cried just like that.Did it matter?He was up all night talking to another woman, but never once asked how I was feeling.And suddenly, I understood.B

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