The Day My Don Got Sick, I Took His Empire Chapter 02

The Day My Don Got Sick, I Took His Empire Chapter 02

Dante didn’t come back to the estate for five days in a row.
But Lena’s messages arrived every day, right on time.
Vivienne, don’t wait. He’s with me tonight.
He says I’m easier than you, more interesting than you, and better at keeping him happy than you are.
He threw me a birthday party. Jealous?
What’s the point of clinging to the Bellandi estate? The place he truly wants to return to has never been by your side.
You’ve held that title for four years. Time to make room for someone new.
I didn’t reply to a single one.
I followed my schedule. Went to my appointments. Slept on time.
Celia, my assistant, sat across from me in the study, archiving every photo, every video, and every message Lena sent in chronological order.
She looked up. “Madam, should we have someone warn her?”
“No need.” I turned a page of my private file. “The more she talks, the better.”
On the evening of the sixth day, Dante finally called.
I had just come back from a private appointment. A small bandage still covered the back of my hand. The hallway lights were bright, making it stand out.
“Vivienne.” His voice was hoarse, lazy, like he had spent too many nights indulging himself. “Go to Bellandi Holdings tomorrow morning.”
“What for?”
“Press conference. Someone took photos of me and Lena recently. The board isn’t too happy about it. You need to step in and set the record straight.”
“Just say she’s a student sponsored by the Bellandi Charity Fund. She’s been dealing with personal matters recently, so I, as the head of the family, looked after her a few times. The media loves to twist things. You know what to say.”
I looked at the bandage on my hand. “Okay.”
Dante relaxed. His tone softened.
“Vivienne, you’re finally being thoughtful.”
“I’m coming home tonight.”
“No need,” I said. “I’m not ready.”
“…Fine.” He sounded a little disappointed, but quickly switched back to his soothing voice. “Get some sleep. Don’t overthink.”
The call ended.
I stared at the black screen.
He thought I was saving myself for him.
Actually, I just didn’t want him anywhere near me.
The next morning, the first floor of Bellandi Holdings was packed with reporters.
Cameras. Flashes. Voice recorders.
All aimed at Dante and me.
I had my arm hooked through his. Dark suit. Perfect makeup. Flawless smile.
A reporter jumped in.
“Mr. Bellandi, has your relationship with Miss Lena gone beyond your family’s sponsorship?”
Dante looked at me.
I took the microphone and smiled gently.
“Lena is a student sponsored by the Bellandi Charity Fund. She’s been dealing with personal matters recently, so Dante checked on her a few times. Someone took photos out of context. That’s all.”
Another reporter pressed. “Mrs. Bellandi, are you really okay with that?”
I turned to Dante, my gaze soft.
“Of course I trust my husband.”
Dante’s grip on my wrist tightened slightly.
I saw that familiar satisfaction flash through his eyes.
He loved me this way.
Respectable. Gentle. Dependable.
Always there to clean up his messes.
Halfway through the interview, his phone buzzed.
He read the message, and his face changed.
The next second, he stood up.
“I have an emergency.”
The media erupted.
Someone shouted, “I heard Miss Lena left suddenly. Mr. Bellandi, are you going to see her now?”
Dante paused for half a second.
Then he pushed through the crowd and walked straight out.
I stayed in the brightest spot. Microphone in hand.
All the cameras were still on me.
I cleaned up after him.
Finished his “loving husband” act for him.
After the show ended, Celia hurried over.
“Madam, are you alright?”
I smoothed my skirt. “I’m good.”
Really good.
Dante ran to Lena in front of everyone.
He made the Bellandi family look like fools to the media and the board.
He had done me a huge favor.
That night, he didn’t come home.
He only sent one message.
Lena needs me. I’m with her. You can sleep first.
I replied, “Okay.”
Then I sent another message.
“My mother needs me. I’m leaving the main house for about a month.”
He answered fast.
“Want me to come with you?”
“No. It’s nothing serious.”
“Alright. Be careful.”
I put my phone down and exhaled.
He thought I was going to take care of my mother.
He didn’t know I was just looking for an excuse to leave the Bellandi estate.
He also didn’t know Lena’s file had already been delivered to me.
I opened the sealed envelope.
At the bottom of the private file, the conclusion was clear.
Risk status confirmed.