Semua Bab Don, I Won't Wait for You Anymore: Bab 1 - Bab 8

Back home, I opened the cabinet, grabbed the bottle of red wine I'd set aside for Luca, and downed it in one go.I was trying to drink myself numb—to forget that photo that cut me open.To forget that he'd stood me up again on my birthday.But a few moments later, a sharp pain tore through my stomach. My bones felt like they were on fire.I opened a drawer, took a painkiller, and caught my reflection in the glass beside me. Pale. Hollow.After the terminal leukemia diagnosis, I never told Luca. I just went to the hospital in secret, on my own.Because I didn't want to add one more burden to his already full plate.After several rounds of treatment, the doctor told me it wasn't working. He suggested I go to a better hospital.I thought about it. Then I gave up.Because I knew there was no point.I didn't want to spend my last days lying in a hospital bed, counting down the end.All I wanted was to hold on to whatever time we had left.When we first got married, Luca used to look at me l

On the day of our first wedding anniversary, Luca had promised to take me to a charity gala.He was going to introduce me to the elites of every circle—to make sure every family there knew exactly who I was. His Donna.But the moment I arrived at the venue, his phone rang. Anna was on the other end, sobbing like her heart was breaking."Luca, my power's out and there's a rat in my house—I'm so scared, can you please come check on me..."Luca set down his fork, his brows knitting tight, and said to me, rushed and urgent:"Elena, Anna lives alone. She's unstable. I need to go check on her. I'll be right back."After he left, I sat alone at the head table, gripping a wine glass, forcing myself to hold it together until the gala ended.He never showed. Not even by midnight.Every family in that room watched me. Laughed at me. The brand-new Donna who was a wife in name only.That night, on the way back to the estate, we got into a car accident.A truck came barreling at us, completely out o

Luca's POVIn Italy, inside Luca's estate.The air was thick. Heavy. It pressed down on every room.Luca hadn't lied.Four days ago—the night of Elena's birthday—he really did have an important meeting. He'd already canceled it, planning to get home early and spend the night with her.But then Anna's car broke down in the rain. Water in the engine. Stranded on the side of the road.She'd called him, hysterical, threatening to kill herself again.By the time he got her calmed down, something had gone wrong at the port. He had to go handle it himself.Then came the meetings. One after another. Then the jobs. Luca hadn't had a spare second to look at his phone.He figured Elena would understand. Like she always did. Like every other time. He'd finish up, come home, and she'd have a light on for him.But now, he tapped open their chat.And it was empty.Their last exchange was still sitting there—the message she'd sent four days ago:"When are you coming home?"Luca's brows drew together.

Luca's POVOutside the ICU at the Malé hospital.Luca stood pressed against the cold glass like a walking corpse, staring blankly at Elena—tubes running in and out of her, machines keeping her alive.The doctors had already issued three critical notices.Her organs were failing fast. She could stop breathing at any moment.Then, from the end of the corridor, came the sharp clatter of heels.Anna. With a few bodyguards. She'd followed him from Italy all the way to the Maldives."Luca!"She rushed over, her face full of wounded outrage."Why did you leave me alone at the estate? That woman got herself sick—is that your fault?""My brother died saving you. How can you do this to me for some woman who's already dying—"Crack.A slap echoed through the hall like a gunshot.Anna screamed and slammed into the wall.Luca's eyes looked like they might catch fire. "Say one more word about her. I'll kill you where you stand."Anna clutched her swollen face, too terrified to even sob out loud.Ju