The Five Years He Missed Chapter 02

The Five Years He Missed Chapter 02

The next morning, I walked into the shop and knew something was off.

My head snapped up. Dominic sat on the customer sofa in his tailored suit, long legs stretched out, guards looming behind him. My manager Jason Miller was practically bending over backward. “So sorry, Mr. Gambino—our mistake, completely—”

Dominic waved a hand. “I’m not here to make trouble. But yesterday’s flowers wilted overnight. My wife was very upset.”

His eyes slid to me, the corner of his mouth curving up. “Here’s what we’ll do. Fire that clerk. That should be apology enough. My wife is only twentyone—young and stubborn. You understand.”

Jason’s face went rigid.

I clenched my fists.

When I left Dominic, I shed nearly every layer of myself to escape that family. No money. No company would touch my résumé. I washed dishes, hauled bricks, scavenged trash, even begged on streets. This flower shop job was grueling but steady—I couldn’t lose it.

I stepped forward, locking eyes with Dominic’s abyssdark stare. “Mr. Gambino, I was twentyone when I married you. Since we were once husband and wife, tell me—what do I have to do to get a way out?”

The shop went dead quiet. Jason and several coworkers stared, wideeyed.

Dominic’s smile vanished. He looked at me hard. “Let me see Luca.”

Luca. He had the nerve to say that name.

I laughed—bitter and sharp.

Through his eyes, I saw myself five years ago. Luca’s fourth birthday. The tenth time Brianna Carter had dragged me into that dim Gambino meeting room.

Brianna lounged on the leather couch, tracing the armrest with a manicured nail. “Dominic is my husband. That shameless woman won’t stop chasing him. I gave her what she deserved—what’s wrong with that?”

I sat opposite, my face and arms raw with scratches, the smell of hospital disinfectant still on me. I said, tiredly, “I’m Dominic’s wife. When can I leave? My son is waiting at the hospital.”

The guard looked lost. Everyone in the family knew Dominic had a wife he cherished—but he kept her hidden. Outsiders like this guard weren’t allowed to know what she looked like.

Dominic arrived, crisp in his suit, as if pulled from a board meeting. He nodded to the guard. “Thanks for waiting.” The guard straightened. “Not at all, Don. Both ladies say they’re your wife. Which one would you like to take?”

Dominic’s gaze swept over me, paused on the scratches on my face, then moved on. “My wife is Mrs. Carter.”

Brianna beamed and threw herself into his arms. They left together.

I stayed on the couch, expressionless. The guard’s tone turned contemptuous. “Have some selfrespect. Don’t go after other women’s husbands. Don is famous for spoiling his wife—you don’t stand a chance. You’d better cool your heels in here until you come to your senses.”

I said nothing. Only felt the irony.

Everyone knew he spoiled his wife. And he’d just chosen Brianna over her—for the tenth time.

Hours later, Dominic’s advisor came to let me out. As I stepped onto the street, I was pulled into a warm embrace.

“Are you mad?” Dominic murmured against my hair. “Brianna’s young. I couldn’t leave her there too long. You understand.”

My voice cracked. “So it’s fine to leave me?”

He laughed softly, kissed my cheek. “Don’t overthink it. You’re the most important person to me. She doesn’t threaten your place.”

I felt the exhaustion settle in.

“Let’s get a divorce.”