The Ninth Time He Left

When I got home, Isak was waiting on the sofa.

"Leona, baby, are you okay?" he said, rushing toward me, his face a mask of worry. "Let me see the wound."

He reached to lift the fresh shirt I’d changed into, but I took a step back.

"It's fine. The doctor took care of it."

"Don't be like that," he said, closing the distance. That familiar scent of his cologne filled my senses. "Let's go upstairs. Let me see."

His hand snaked up my chest, his lips pressing against my neck. It was his go-to move. Whenever he thought I was upset, he used his body to distract me.

It used to work every time.

But tonight, I just felt tired.

"Isak, the wound hurts," I said, gently pushing him away. "Not tonight."

He froze, a guilty look clouding his face. "Leona, I'm sorry. About tonight… I shouldn't have left you. I was in such a rush, my mind went blank…"

"It's fine," I said, my voice flat. "It was a normal reaction."

"No, it wasn't," he insisted, pulling me into a tight hug. "You're my wife. I'm supposed to protect you. Can you forgive me?"

I patted his back, my touch as impersonal as if I were comforting a stranger. "It's really fine, Isak. You're tired. Go get some rest."

He stayed quiet in my arms for a long moment. I knew he was waiting for me to say something more—something sweet, forgiving, loving.

I said nothing.

The next morning, Isak was up earlier than usual. When I came downstairs, he was already in the kitchen.

"Morning, darling," he said, smiling over his shoulder. "I made your favorite—bacon and eggs. And fresh-squeezed orange juice."

The table was set with an elaborate breakfast, using the fine china from our wedding.

"Thanks, but I'm not hungry," I said, walking straight to the door. "I've got business."

"Leona," he called, following me. "At least have some coffee. And you need to change your bandages…"

"Maria will handle it."

In the car, Isak sat in the passenger seat. He had insisted on coming with me, claiming he wanted to "be there for me."

As I reviewed my schedule, I saw him pull out a lighter to light a cigarette.

It wasn't the one I gave him.

The lighter I’d given him was a custom sterling silver piece, engraved with the Valachi family motto: "Honor Above All." It was our anniversary gift, a design I’d spent three months perfecting.

The one in his hand was a cheap, plastic Lucky Strike. Julia's brand.

"Where's your lighter?" I asked.

Isak's hand paused. "What lighter?"

"The one I gave you. The engraved one."

"Oh, that one," he said, looking out the window, avoiding my eyes. "I… I must have lost it. Probably at the mall the other day."

A lie.

I'd seen it in his bag yesterday.

"Which mall?" I pressed.

"Uh… the Fashion Show Mall. Maybe I left it in a fitting room," he said, his voice tense. "Leona, why the sudden question?"

"No reason," I said, looking at the cheap lighter in his hand, a bitter laugh bubbling in my chest. "Forget it. If it's gone, it's gone."

Isak turned to look at me, a flash of confusion in his eyes. He seemed to want to say something, but he stayed silent.

I leaned back and closed my eyes.

If it's gone, it's gone.

The lighter. The marriage. Him.

I was done.

In the Valachi family’s private club, cigar smoke hung heavy in the air. A dozen of the family's senior men sat around a long oak table, talking about next month’s shipments.

Someone spoke up. "You know, Isak was crazy about Julia back in the day. All of Vegas knew he chased her for three years."

"Three years and seven months, to be exact," Julia corrected, a glint in her eye.

A murmur went through the room.

"So why didn't you say yes?" a young mafioso asked. "Isak's a hell of a catch."

Julia swirled the whiskey in her glass, ignoring the question. Instead, she changed the subject. "No matter what, Isak has always cared about me most… Actually, it was my idea for him to propose to Leona."

What?

I had just arrived, and her words hit me as I stood in the doorway. My hand clenched into a fist.

"I told him Leona was sweet, pliable. Her family had no real power, so she'd do whatever he wanted. A perfect choice. And…"

She paused.

"And she wouldn't give him any trouble."

Laughter erupted.

I stood frozen outside the door, my heart twisting in my chest.