Abandon Me Once and It's Goodbye Forever

Before I left, I needed to finalize the divorce with Ettore. I called him countless times and sent endless messages, but he never replied.

When I asked the estate butler, Leo Gallo, he looked uncomfortable. After I insisted on finding Ettore, he sighed and said reluctantly, "Donna, Signorina Serra was shaken up by the kidnapping. The Don took her away to recover."

That explained it. He'd blocked my messages so I wouldn't ruin Viola's trip.

Leo watched me carefully, probably afraid I'd lose my temper on the spot, but I just nodded and asked him to give me the address. I'd already made up my mind to let Ettore go, so whatever he did with Viola couldn't hurt me anymore. He wasn't worth it.

I followed the address to the estate where Ettore and Viola were staying. Even though I'd braced myself, standing at the entrance still cut deep. This estate was where Ettore had proposed to me.

The flower beds in front used to overflow with my favorite violets, but now, white daisies swayed in the breeze instead. They were Viola's favorite flowers. Ettore loved her that much.

My legs nearly gave out, but I steadied myself and punched my birthday into the security lock. The password was incorrect. I tried Ettore's birthday next, but it was still wrong.

Finally, I asked the housekeeper for Viola's birthday. The door opened.

Viola happened to be walking into the living room wearing a revealing lace nightgown. "Who is it?"

When she saw me, she didn't look guilty at all. Instead, a provocative smile curved her lips as she walked toward me. "Oh, it's the wife the Don threw away like trash."

I didn't bother responding to her little power play. "Where's Ettore? I need to talk to him."

Viola rubbed her belly, acting as if she hadn't heard me at all. "The Don said if I give him a child, he'll divorce you and marry me."

I stared at her coldly, almost amused, but then something calculating flashed in her eyes. She lowered her voice and smiled at me.

"What do you think the Don would do if something happened to my baby? Think he'd be angry enough to kill you?"

Before I could react, she slapped herself hard across the face and collapsed to the floor. Ettore heard Viola scream and rushed downstairs without even putting his shirt on.

He didn't spare me a single glance, dropping to his knees and pulling Viola into his arms. "Viola, are you alright?"

Viola clutched her stomach, leaning weakly against him. "Don Vitale, don't blame the Donna. She loves you too much to accept me and the baby…"

Fury blazed in Ettore's eyes as he looked at my shocked face and slapped me hard across the cheek. "I told you not to touch Viola!"

I stared at him in disbelief. "Is that really what you think of me?"

I could barely breathe from anger. My hands shook as I pulled the divorce papers from my bag and threw them at his feet. "Sign it. Sign it, and I'll leave right now!"

Ettore looked at me with disappointment and signed his name without a word. "If you wanted the property, you could've just asked instead of hurting Viola! Move into this house immediately. You're not allowed back at the main estate until after Viola gives birth!"

I laughed bitterly. Even now, he thought these were just property transfer documents. I picked up the papers and turned to leave without hesitation.

I blocked all of Ettore's contact information and got in the car headed for the Romano estate.

Ettore, from now on, we were strangers!