After Eighteen Broken Promises

"It fell and shattered. I threw it out." I turned a page of my French dictionary, my tone flat.

Dominic walked quickly to the trash can and stared at the broken glass inside for a long moment. His tense shoulders finally relaxed a bit.

Then he casually pulled out a Gucci necklace box from his coat pocket and tossed it onto my bed.

"The compensation I promised you yesterday. Today's our three-year wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary."

I looked at that familiar orange packaging. I felt nothing.

Mia's post must've reminded him, so he'd picked it up on his way home.

But he'd obviously forgotten. He'd given me the exact same necklace last year. And the year before that.

He couldn't even bother to change it up when he was going through the motions.

I didn't say anything. Just quietly looked at him.

"By the way," Dominic started somewhat hesitantly, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting with his cufflinks, "the year-end family merit awards—can you step back from that? Let Mia have the spot. She's been in the business three years. She needs that position to establish herself. You're already the 'Don's wife.' You don't need these empty titles."

I laughed bitterly inside.

So this belated anniversary gift was just leverage for a power exchange.

"Sure." I nodded.

I wouldn't be competing with her for anything anymore. Because after tonight, I'd be completely out of his world.

"You... agreed?" Dominic clearly hadn't expected me to give in so easily.

He stared at me for a few seconds, then looked visibly relieved and praised me: "Elena, I knew you'd understand. Mia's someone I'm investing in heavily. As her senior, it's right for you to be gracious."

As if to make up for it, he took the initiative for once: "Tomorrow morning at ten, I'll cancel everything and take you to City Hall to sign. I'll be on time this time."

I didn't respond.

He noticed my suitcase piled by the entryway and asked, "What time's your flight tomorrow?"

"Three in the afternoon."

I looked up at him, wanting to finally tell him I was completely leaving the family.

But before I could say anything, his phone started vibrating like crazy.

It was Mia.

He listened for a few seconds on the phone. His expression changed instantly.

Dominic hung up, avoiding my eyes somewhat guiltily. "Um... Mia's crying. Says she twisted her ankle. The power went out in her apartment. She's terrified being alone. I need to go take care of it."

This time, his tone actually carried a hint of asking for permission.

I swallowed the words on the tip of my tongue and forced a polite smile. "Go ahead."

He looked relieved, grabbed the coat he'd just taken off, and headed out.

Before leaving, he stopped and added solemnly, "Tomorrow morning at ten, I'll definitely be at City Hall on time. No matter what happens, I'll make it back. Trust me."

I looked at the closed door and laughed at myself. In the end, he never gave me the chance to say goodbye in person.

---

The next day at ten in the morning.

I didn't show up at City Hall. Instead, I took my small carry-on suitcase straight to the airport.

By noon, my phone still hadn't rung. Dominic was so busy he'd even forgotten to call and ask.

At 2:50 in the afternoon, the gate announcement started calling for boarding.

In the last moment before boarding, I got a text from him:

"Sorry, Mia kept feeling sick. I just got her out of the ER. Didn't make it. Elena, when you get back from your trip, I'll take you to sign first thing. I promise."

Staring at those words, I realized I didn't feel anything anymore.

The eighteenth time. Between me and Mia, he'd chosen Mia again.

I moved my fingers and sent one final message: [Don't bother, Dominic. I've officially resigned from the family. Don't ever contact me again.]

After sending that last text, I powered off my phone, pulled out the SIM card without expression, and tossed it into the airport lounge trash can.

The cabin door slowly closed. The plane engines roared. I watched New York outside the window gradually shrink to a blurry dot. Only one thought filled my mind:

Goodbye, Dominic.

Goodbye forever.