Why the Mafia’s Wife Kills Chapter 12
“It means,” Dante leaned back in his chair,
“you get the shares, but I still run the Lombardi Group.”
“No.” I said immediately.
“Simone, don’t push your luck.”
Dante’s face darkened.
“Giving you the shares is already my final offer.”
“Then we’ll see you in court.
I stood up.
“Jasper, let’s go.”
“Wait.” Dante called after me.
I stopped but didn’t turn around.
“What do you want?” he asked.
I turned back.
“The shares are mine once you give them to me.
I decide how to use them.
If you’re worried, we can sign an addendum.
I won’t sell to competitors for five years.
But voting rights stay with me.”
Dante stared at me.
I stared back.
Neither of us backed down.
The legal advisor whispered something to Dante.
His frown deepened.
“You can have the voting rights.” Dante finally said.
“But you must vote with me on all major decisions.”
“What counts as major?”
“Mergers, restructuring, investments over a billion dollars.
All require board approval.”
Dante said.
“Your shares must vote the same way I do.”
I thought about it.
The condition was acceptable.
I didn’t know how to run a corporation anyway.
As long as I got paid.
“Fine.” I said.
“Then sign.” Dante held out a pen.
Jasper read the addendum once more carefully.
He nodded to confirm it was clean.
I took the pen and signed my name on the last page.
My handwriting shook a little, but it was neat.
When I set the pen down, I felt instantly lighter.
Three years of marriage.
Erased with a signature.
Dante signed too and pushed the papers to his legal advisor.
He stood up and walked over to me, holding out a check.
Dante called me again.
I turned around.
His lips moved, like he wanted to say something.
But all he managed was:
“Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
I turned and walked out.
I left the conference room, got in the elevator, went downstairs, and climbed into the car.
I didn’t say a single word the whole time.
Only when we pulled out of the parking lot did Lucius speak.
“If you’re hurt, you can cry.”
“I’m not hurt.”
I stared out the window.
“I just think… it’s all so meaningless.”
Three years of my life.
Traded for a legal document.
Was it worth it?
I didn’t know.
My phone buzzed.
A text from my New York bank.
Dante had transferred the first year’s dividend.
The number was terrifyingly large.
I stared at all the zeros and suddenly laughed.
“What are you laughing at?” Lucius asked.
“Myself.” I said.
“I used to think love was everything.
Now I realize money matters too.”
Lucius laughed too.
“Finally woke up.”
Yeah. I finally woke up.
The car stopped at the hotel.
I got out.
Lucius got out too.
“I’ll walk you up.” he said.
“No.” I shook my head.
“I want to be alone for a while.”
Lucius watched me for a moment, then nodded.
“Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
I went back to my room, kicked off my heels, and collapsed on the sofa.
My phone rang again.
It was Dante.
I declined the call.
He called again.
I declined again.
The third time, I answered.
“What?”
A few seconds of silence.
Dante sounded completely drained.
“Freya’s finger… can’t be reattached.”
“So?”
“So can you… go see her?” Dante said.
“She’s a mess. She won’t stop crying.”
I laughed out loud in anger.
“Dante, are you insane?
Go see her? See what?
See how pitiful she is with one less finger?”
“Simone, she’s still-”
“Still what?”
I cut him off.
“Still the girl you’re obsessed with?
Let me tell you something.
I was already being merciful when I didn’t cut her whole hand off.
Tell her to stay away from me.
Next time, it won’t just be a finger.”
I hung up and blocked him.
Finally. Peace.
I lay there a while, then stood up and pulled the divorce agreement from my bag.
I read it once more.
Black and white. Crystal clear.
From today on, Simone and Dante Lombardi were nothing to each other.
My phone rang again.
Unknown number.
I answered. It was Freya.
“Simone…”
She was sobbing.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”
“No.” I said.
“But Dante and I love each other truly…”
“Then wish you a long, happy marriage.
With no children.”
I hung up and blocked that number too.
When I finished, I walked to the window and looked out at the busy streets.
It was over.
Now it was time to start a new life.