The Ex’s Wedding Gift

I slipped back into the residence and glanced out of the window. Busy locking tongues, Dominick and Gia were in no rush to get inside the house.

Letting out a long breath, I pulled the curtains shut and cocked my head back to tell the housekeeper, “Fetch me the purple tie that the Don was wearing a few days back.”

The housekeeper was taken aback. “Donna, Don Costa has kept the tie in his private collection. No one gets in without clearance.”

It was known in the family that Dominick would store every memento of our love, including the stuffed animals I’d given him, in the private vault.

His partiality toward me was the reason every member of the family hierarchy held me in utmost respect.

After a moment of silence, I picked up a bat and stormed straight to the collection room. I violently smashed the items there while everybody watched in shock.

“Donna! What are you doing?”

Offering no explanations, I grabbed a pair of scissors and went to town shredding the necktie and other possessions.

I destroyed the expensive jewelry.

My voice carried no emotions. “Pack these junk pieces into a box. This will be my gift to the Don’s upcoming wedding.

“Not a word about tonight, or I’ll make sure to send you down to the sub-basement. Have I made myself clear?”

The staff nodded, aware that the sub-basement held the worst of the worst criminals. No one ever walked out of there alive.

Once I was finished with business, the staff swiftly cleared the mess, restoring the room to its glory. Nevertheless, everything associated with me was gone.

Back in the bedroom, Dominick sat on the sofa with a cigarette between his lips. He looked ever-so captivating, taking a long drag.

He was quick to put out the cigarette in my presence and told his subordinate to air out the room with an open window.

Dominick knew that I wasn’t keen on the smell of cigarettes.

“Did you have a great time shopping, babe?” He murmured while approaching and wrapping his arms around my waist.

Due to the proximity, the lingering scent of tobacco made me sick to my stomach.

“It was fine,” I replied curtly, yanking his hands off me.

Oblivious to my odd behavior, Dominick took my attitude as nothing more than a little tantrum.

He shot his subordinate a look, and the latter presented a gift box on the double.

“So I heard that you threw away the roses and ring? That’s pretty willful of you, but that’s what I like about you.

“These are pearls imported from the Miranth Gulf. They cost me thirty million dollars at the auction. What do you think?”

Despite posing a question, Dominick never gave me a chance to answer.

He went ahead and put the pearl necklace around my neck before nodding in satisfaction. “As expected, the pearls look best on you.”

I was stunned. What was that supposed to mean?

Was the necklace a reject from Gia?

I let out a mocking chuckle, wondering how many Gia’s castoffs were stored in the supposed private vault.

With that in mind, I tore the necklace off and flung it onto the table in disgust.

“I appreciate the gesture, but I’m allergic to pearls, so I won’t keep the necklace on.”

Dominick furrowed his brows. “You’re allergic? Haven’t you worn pearl earrings to functions before?

“You can have your little fits, Luna, but I won’t tolerate your lies.” His voice turned icy.

As the tension in the air thickened, the staff hung their heads low without a word.

“Ha.”

Suddenly, Dominick chuckled under his breath. He held the pearl necklace up for a close examination and dropped it in the can without hesitation.

“Since my wife doesn’t care for it, I should just get rid of it.”

He came close to him and plucked my chin, his eyes reflecting complicated emotions beyond my comprehension.

“I’ll take you shopping tomorrow. Just get anything you want. Surely, that should cheer you up, my dear wife.”

I looked into his eyes and let out a soft laugh. “Okay. That works out well since I need to get a gift.”

“A gift? Who is it for?” Dominick frowned.

It could just be in my head, but there was a subtle hint of jealousy in his voice.

“I’m getting a gift for someone I’ve known for many years. Since his wedding’s coming up in a week, it’s only right that I get him a little something.”

Dominick wasn’t too pleased initially, but the mention of the person’s wedding put him at ease.

He patted my shoulder with a smile. “Okay. Go all out on your spending tomorrow. A friend of yours is a friend of mine.”

“Are you going to be my plus-one to the wedding?” I asked earnestly, my eyes boring into his.

Dominick responded right away, “Of course. Even if I have to blow off a meeting worth hundreds of millions, I will be there with you. It’s the least I can do to make up for standing you up today.”

There was solemnity in his words. Had I not seen the betrayal with my own eyes, I might have fallen for his sweet talk again.

He bent over and held me tight. Just as he pulled in for a kiss, a knock came at the door.

“Don Costa, here is the expense list. If I could get your signature on it.”