No Longer His Donna Chapter 04

No Longer His Donna Chapter 04

But now, he felt like a stranger.

It was the same face, yet my heart no longer fluttered for him.

Xander reached to touch my cheek, and my eyes caught the ring on his left ring finger.

It had always been bare before.

“I’m tired. Can I go inside and rest first?” I averted my gaze, staring straight at his face.

A flicker of panic immediately surfaced in Xander’s eyes. “Sure… of course.”

“But we have guests today. One of the capos just had a son, and he had nowhere to host the baby shower, so they’re using our place. You don’t mind, do you?”

I once saw him almost a god. Every time I was bullied, he showed up just in time.

Every time I felt unwell, he handled it with calm composure.

One winter, we went out to watch a movie and passed an arguing couple. The boy had cheated on the girl, sneaking off to meet someone else.

Back then, he told me, “Tina, you should keep your eyes wide open when choosing a man. Use me as the standard for your future husband. I would never lie to anyone.”

But now, he was nothing but lies.

Maybe I had really grown steady at last. I didn’t even want to call him out. I wanted to see how long he could keep up this act.

“I don’t mind.”

At that, Xander smiled. He tried to take my hand, but I pulled away.

A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, then he smiled, as if reassuring himself. “You’ve grown distant now. It’s okay. I’ll stay by your side until you’re your old self.”

But deep down, I knew perfectly well, I could never go back to who I once was.

Three years ago, he tricked me into going to a war zone with Doctors Without Borders.

I witnessed too much life and death. I’d watched a child smile at me one second then turned into a cold corpse the next.

That’s when I realized, I must learn to cherish time, because you never know what comes first, tomorrow, or tragedy.

So now, I refused to waste my time on someone unworthy.

Xander didn’t take me to the master bedroom I used to sleep in. Instead, he led me to a guest room.

He explained, “That capo, Ben, remember him? He’s all about face, telling everyone this is his place. So they’re using the master bedroom for now.”

“Once things calm down in a few days, I’ll have the maids clean it thoroughly, and then you can move back in, okay?”

“Okay.” I set my bag down.

He watched me for a moment, then added, “I don’t suppose you like crowded scenes much either.

“Rest here. I have things to take care of.”

After Xander left, I pulled a stone from my pocket. It was engraved, [Safe & Sound.]

A little boy had given it to me while I volunteered in the war zone.

His parents had both died, leaving him completely alone.

With small, grimy hands, he held out this stone and said, “Doctor, this is for you. You can give it to someone you love, and they’ll always be safe and sound.”

I took it. I was about to get up to fetch him some bread when a bullet hit his head, and he collapsed right in front of me.

I broke down hysterically then. I tried to save him, but my colleagues pulled me away.

Coming back to the present, I opened the guest room door and look carefully around the house.

Earlier, I was too caught up in excitement to notice properly.

This home now bore the traces of another woman.

Feminine towels and skincare products lined the bathroom.

Fresh flowers, baby bottles, and children’s toys covered the coffee table.