The Seven-Year Itch: Erasing the Donna

I tracked Lucian's convoy to a private club on the east side of the city.

It was open only to members of the Marino Family. Thankfully, the guards at the entrance recognized my car and gave me a respectful nod.

I parked across the street, observing from my car window.

As soon as the car door opened, I saw Sophia in a tight red dress and ten-centimeter heels, pouncing into Lucian's arms like a cat in heat.

"Darling, that drone show made me so jealous."

Lucian patted her back, his tone doting.

"Wasn't the firework show for your birthday a few days ago enough? Such a greedy little canary?"

"You silly girl. You'll have everything you want, but now is not the time."

"I promised you, as long as you behave and don't let Nora find out about our little game, all the power and status she has will one day be yours too."

Hearing this, a sharp pain shot through my heart, as if a thousand daggers were piercing my chest.

I remembered the spectacular fireworks display on the west side of town a few days ago.

That night, Lucian had said he was going to "deal with" a traitor to the Family and didn't come home all night.

I had been so worried something had happened to him that I couldn't sleep a wink.

As it turned out, the real threat was my husband sleeping in my sister's bed.

And I, his wife, was the real fool kept in the dark.

Sophia let out a coquettish whine, her fingertips tracing deadly circles on his firm chest.

"Can't I even be jealous, my Don?"

"Fine, what can I do? You're my baby, after all. Now, I have something special for you tonight."

Sophia whispered something in his ear, then yanked on his tie.

Lucian's eyes instantly darkened with desire.

"Then what are you waiting for? Tell me what it is."

"You'll find out when we get upstairs. You'll have to unwrap your gift personally."

Right there in public, Lucian swept her up into his arms and strode towards the club.

Sophia let out a seductive cry, the rest of her words swallowed by Lucian's deep kiss.

The elevator doors closed, taking them straight to the presidential suite on the top floor.

I sat in my car, watching their figures disappear into the elevator.

Seven years of marriage, and it all meant nothing to him.

Even though I already knew everything, seeing it for myself was still as painful as a knife to the heart.

The tears I'd been holding back finally fell, streaming down my cheeks.

I remembered how, when we first got married, Lucian had sworn on the honor of the Marino Family that he would spend our entire anniversary day with me every year.

But now, a single text from Sophia was enough to make him abandon that sacred vow.

I had lost completely.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the storm of emotions inside me.

Just three more days.

In three days, I would escape all of this.

It was two in the morning when I returned to the estate.

I went straight to a guest room and locked the door.

At three-thirty, I heard Lucian return.

"Eleonora? Eleonora!"

He was shouting my name in the master bedroom, his voice growing more frantic.

"Damn it! Where did she go?"

Then came his furious roar.

"Useless bastards! You lost the Donna?"

"Don, the Donna's car isn't in the garage. She may have gone out," the butler answered, trembling.

"Find her! Tear this city apart if you have to, but find her!"

The footsteps grew closer as he began searching room by room.

When he pushed open the guest room door, I pretended to have just woken up.

The moment he saw me, his anger vanished, replaced by the raw panic of a man who thought he'd just lost everything.

"My God, Nora, you scared the hell out of me."

"Why didn't you let me know you were back? Do you have any idea I almost had the whole place shot up when I couldn't find you?"

He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace, his body trembling slightly.

"I couldn't sleep, so I moved to another room." I gently patted his back. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just terrified when I couldn't find you."

He kissed my hair, his voice filled with lingering fear.

If you really cared about me, you wouldn't have touched another woman.

And you certainly wouldn't have touched my sister.

"I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early to rest. I forgot to tell you."

After being steeped in lies for so long, I could now lie flawlessly myself.

Lucian, his face etched with relief, lay down beside me and locked me in his arms as if I were a priceless treasure.

"Don't you ever do that again. I'll go crazy if I can't find you."

"You know I'd do anything for you."

I closed my eyes, a cold smile on my lips.

The next morning, I prepared an exquisite gift box.

Inside, I placed the family signet ring that symbolized my status as Donna, along with the divorce papers I had drafted and signed overnight.

"Lucian, this is my anniversary gift for you."

He took the box, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Should I open it now?"

"No. Wait two days. It'll have more impact then."

He nodded obediently and carefully placed the box in his safe.

"You're going to love my gift."

In two days, I would have vanished from his world completely.

By then, this "gift" would tell him the whole truth.

Just as I finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

The door opened to reveal Sophia's face, tear-streaked and pitiful.