Why the Mafia’s Wife Kills Chapter 13
A month after the divorce, I moved out of the hotel
and bought a penthouse in midtown Manhattan.
It wasn’t huge, but it was cozy.
The balcony faced south, full of sunlight during the day.
I designed the interior myself, picked out furniture I loved,
and built it into a real home, piece by piece.
Lucius came over often.
Sometimes he brought flowers.
Sometimes he brought food.
He never pushed anything romantic.
He just ate with me, talked with me, like an old friend.
I didn’t bring it up either.
It was comfortable like this.
The dividends from the Lombardi shares came on time.
More money than I could ever spend.
I opened a design studio.
It was what I’d always wanted.
Dante had forbidden it before.
Said a Donna didn’t need to work in public.
Now I did whatever I wanted.
On opening day, Lucius sent a huge flower basket.
He came too, dressed formally,
and brought several friends to support me.
“Congratulations.” He handed me a gift box.
I opened it.
A necklace with a tiny diamond pendant, sparkling under the lights.
“It’s too expensive.” I said.
“It’s not.” Lucius clipped it around my neck.
“It matches your dress perfectly.”
I wore a white dress I’d designed myself.
Simple, but beautifully cut.
I looked in the mirror.
My skin looked good.
There was light in my eyes again.
“Thank you.” I said.
“No need to thank me.” Lucius smiled.
We were busy all day.
By night, we finally relaxed.
Lucius and I sat at a café downstairs from the studio.
He drank coffee. I drank tea.
“What are you planning next?” he asked.
“Grow the studio first.” I said.
“Then…
Maybe travel. I’ve always wanted to see Europe.”
“When are you leaving?”
“At the end of next month. Once things are stable here.”
Lucius nodded but didn’t speak.
It started raining outside.
People hurried past.
The café was quiet, soft music playing.
“Lucius.” I asked suddenly.
“Why haven’t you married?”
He blinked, surprised.
“Why the sudden question?”
“Just curious.” I said.
“You’re successful. Lots of women must want you.”
“They do.” Lucius swirled his coffee.
“But none felt right.”
“What feels right?”
“Someone…”
He glanced at me.
“Who makes my heart race.”
My heart skipped a beat.
I quickly looked down at my tea.
“Simone.” Lucius said my name softly.
“Do you… still have feelings for Dante?”
I was quiet for a long time.
“I don’t know.” I told the truth.
“It’s a lie to say I don’t care at all.
I loved him for years.
But to say I still love him…
I don’t think so anymore.”
Love was messy.
Hard to explain.
“Good.” Lucius said.
The rain got heavier, beating loudly against the windows.
Neither of us spoke.
We just sat and watched the rain.
After a long while, Lucius said suddenly:
“I’m going to France for business next month.”
“How long?”
“Two weeks.” He said.
“When are you going to Europe?
If our schedules line up, we can go together.”
I thought for a second.
“I’m leaving at the end of the month.”
“Then we’ll overlap.” Lucius smiled.
“I’ll wait for you in Paris.”
“Okay.”
When we finished our drinks, Lucius drove me home.
At my building, he didn’t come up.
He stood by the car.
“Good night. Get some rest.”
“You too.”
He got in his car and drove away.
I watched the taillights disappear into the rain,
then turned and went upstairs.
The apartment was quiet.
I turned on the lights and poured myself a glass of water.
I had one unread text.
Unknown number, but I knew who it was.
[Simone. We need to talk. Dante]
I didn’t reply. I deleted it.
Some things were better left in the past.
I took a shower and lay in bed, but I couldn’t sleep.
I opened my phone and went to my photo album.
Hundreds of old photos with Dante.
Me, smiling stupidly.
Him, looking at me like I hung the moon.
I deleted them one by one.
The last photo was our wedding day.
I was in a wedding dress.
He was in a suit.
We exchanged rings in front of the whole family.
The sun had been bright that day.
I’d been so happy.
My finger hovered over the delete button.
I paused, then pressed it.
It was all over.
I turned off my phone and closed my eyes.