After the Third Time

I was the person Henry Johnson, the head of the San Nello mafia, loved more than anyone else.

He loved me with absolute devotion.

During our three years of marriage, he spoiled me endlessly and treated me like a princess.

Yet this same man, who claimed to love me so deeply, divorced me three times, each time for the sake of his childhood sweetheart.

The first time, intimate photos of them at the airport went viral.

That very night, he placed the divorce papers in front of me.

"Selena," he said, "Melanie's father once saved my life. I can't allow her to be condemned as a homewrecker. Let's divorce for now. Once this storm passes, we'll remarry."

With my heart in pieces, I signed the papers and prepared to leave.

However, at the airport, Henry stopped me. He broke down in front of me and begged,

"I've already taken care of the media. Melanie has gone abroad again. I've repaid everything I owed her family. Please don't leave. Let's get married again."

His tearful pleas softened my resolve.

That was the first time I forgave him.

The second time, he came to me looking utterly worn out.

"Melanie was implicated by her boyfriend and ended up in prison," he said. "I need to bail her out as her spouse. Once she's free, we'll remarry right away."

I believed him.

That time, he kept his promise. He returned and remarried me.

The third time, he lowered his head and hesitated, unable to look me in the eye.

"Melanie is about to give birth," he said. "An unwed pregnancy would destroy her modeling career. I have to help her. This will be the last time. Once the child is settled, we'll remarry. I promise this will never happen again."

I looked at him for a long time.

In the end, I answered softly,

"Okay."

However, on the day we were meant to register our marriage again,

I never appeared.

Any love I still had was worn away bit by bit.

In the end, I left for good, taking with me not only a broken heart, but also the unborn heir he would never know.

As I signed the divorce papers for the third time, I moved through the familiar steps with practiced ease. I could have done it in my sleep, having been through the drill three times already.

Henry Johnson clutched the divorce certificate, his eyes darting to his watch, his brow creased with impatience.

"Go on ahead, I'll catch a cab back," I offered before he could say a word.

A flicker of surprise crossed Henry's face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of regret as he spoke, "Sorry, Melanie just landed, I..."

"No worries, I've got things to handle too. I'll grab a taxi in a bit."

I cut him off and flagged down a cab.

Henry wrapped me in a hug that was meant to be touching, "Selena, you're always so understanding. Once I get Melanie settled, I promise to make it up to you!"

I accepted his hug, but inside, I was as still as a pond on a windless day.

I watched his car fade into the distance and then murmured to the cab driver.

"To the immigration office, please."

I had my own affairs to sort out. I was done with the cycle of marrying and divorcing.

I was not going to wait for Henry.

I was going to leave San Nello behind for good, never to look back.

After finishing the emigration paperwork, I dragged myself back to what used to be a home filled with warmth. Every nook and cranny of that place bore my touch, every decoration a testament to my care.

Henry had once embraced me, his voice thick with emotion. "This is our sanctuary, our love nest. I won't let anyone invade our private world!"

However, as I pushed open the door, there they were, Henry and Melanie Shaw, cozied up together at the dining table, lost in their own little world.

Henry rose to his feet, instinctively stepping in front of Melanie.

He looked at me, his face strained. "Selena, Melanie just got back and hasn't found a place to stay yet. I told her she could crash here for the night... Please don't be hard on her."

A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I struggled to catch my breath.

Did he see me as nothing more than a spiteful harridan?

During our second split, I missed Henry so much that I flew to Melanie's country to find him.

Instead, I found Melanie clinging to Henry, their embrace far too close for comfort.

Tears streaming down my face, I shoved Melanie aside, and she tumbled to the ground, twisting her ankle.

Henry scooped her up, his face a mask of ice, disappointment etched in his eyes. "Selena, I was just helping Melanie, and you lose it, looking as hideous as a spiteful woman!"

Crushed, I caught the next flight back to Itania.

I thought that was it for Henry and Il, but a month later, he returned as he had promised, and we got back together.

Melanie peeked from behind Henry, a triumphant grin on her face, "Selena, Henry's promised to take me to my prenatal appointment tomorrow. You don't mind, right?"

Henry's head snapped up, his mouth opening in a nervous attempt to explain.

My hand drifted to my belly, where a tiny life was just beginning to form. I had not planned on telling Henry about the baby, so I nodded without hesitation.

"Of course not. He should be there with you for the checkup. I don't mind at all."

Henry was visibly taken aback by my easy consent, rooted to the spot.

Melanie was shocked, her eyes brimming with skepticism.

She saw me in pieces over Henry, tears streaming down my face. My cool composure threw her off.

However, I did not give their emotions a second thought. I walked into the bedroom, yanking clothes from the closet and tossing them into my suitcase.

"What are you doing?"

Henry's hand shot out, gripping mine in a frantic hold, his eyes betraying annoyance.

"Selena, what's this all about? You said it was fine. I told you, once Melanie's baby is all set, we'll get remarried. Stop making a fuss..."