After He Walked Away Penniless, the Diagnosis Changed Chapter 06

After He Walked Away Penniless, the Diagnosis Changed Chapter 06

Running into Julian at the café lingered in my mind for a few days.

I had ended a loveless marriage where I was never truly valued, and in return, I gained a life that was finally

my own.

Every day felt like a celebration of that choice.

Not long after the scandal died down, I quit my dull office job.

With the trust fund and properties, I didn’t need to work to survive.

But I wanted something more. A purpose. Something that was actually mine.

Not “Julian’s wife.” Not “the Varno principessa in hiding.”

I opened a small gallery in downtown Manhattan.

It was filled with works by emerging artists.

Raw. Bold. Unpolished. They reminded me of the freedom I’d once fought tooth and nail for.

No stuffy academic critiques. No pretentiousness. Just art that felt alive.

The gallery became my refuge.

Every day, I curated exhibitions. I talked with artists and visitors.

Little by little, I found the parts of myself I had pushed aside to fit into Julian’s world.

One afternoon, I was hanging a vividly colored abstract painting when the bell above the gallery door rang.

I turned, expecting a customer. And I froze.

Standing there was my brother, Enzo Varno.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, with our father’s piercing eyes and sharp jawline. And he was wearing a

perfectly tailored black suit.

He had been my closest confidant growing up.

The only one who’d ever really understood my hunger for freedom. Even if he had been forced to help our

parents keep me caged.

“Siana,” He walked toward me, his voice soft. Like he was afraid I might bolt. “It’s been too long.”

I set down the hammer, my heart racing. Not from fear, but from a mix of excitement and caution.

“Enzo, how did you find me?”

He let out a low chuckle and glanced around.

“You think the Varno family can’t find one of its own? Even if she’s hiding in plain sight.”

“Mom and Dad… they’re not angry anymore. They’re just worried.”

“They saw the news about Julian. The scandal. They just wanted to know you were okay.”

I crossed my arms, a defensive habit I had developed over the years.

“I’m fine. I’m happy. I don’t need them hovering over me like I’m still a child.”

“I know. I told them that.” Enzo raised his hands in surrender.

“But they miss you. And… look, there’s something you should know. Dad’s health… it’s not good.”

“He wants to see you. He wants to apologize for locking you up.”

“He’s not the same man anymore, Siana. He’s tired of controlling everything. Especially you.”

My eyes welled up.

For years, I’d resented them. For stealing my freedom. For making me feel like a prisoner in my own home.

But hearing that my father was ill, that he wanted to apologize… it stirred something deep inside me,

something I had tried to ignore.

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.

I didn’t recognize the number.

But the area code? I knew it. Same one Julian had when he was shacked up with Emma.

I hesitated, then answered and turned on speaker so Enzo could hear.

“Siana,” Julian’s voice came through, hoarse and desperate. “Please. I need your help. Emma… she’s gone.

“She cleaned me out. My savings. The little bit of cash I made from deliveries. Even the damn furniture.”

“Siana, I’m homeless. I’ve got nowhere to go.”

Enzo raised an eyebrow, his expression turning serious.

I let out a cold laugh, my gaze fixed on the painting in front of me. Bold. Fearless. Free.

“Homeless? That’s a shame. But not my problem.”

“Those were your choices, Julian.”

“You chose to cheat. You chose to throw it all away for some woman who only wanted your money.”

“You chose to drag my name through the mud. So this? This is on you.”

“I’m sorry!” His voice cracked. Begging now.

“I’m sorry, Siana. I was an idiot. I was blind.”

“I see that now. Please. Just… just let me crash with you for a few days.”

“I’ll do anything. Anything. I just need a place to sleep.”

“No.” My voice was firm. “I gave you an out. Once.”

“I let you walk away with your dignity intact. You torched that all on your own.”

“Now you get to live with it. Goodbye, Julian.”

I hung up without a trace of guilt. Only calm remained.

Enzo patted my shoulder and smiled. “Good job, Siana.”

“Ruthless. Smart. Just like Dad used to be.”

I smiled back, my resolve softening just a little.

“I’ll go. I’ll visit the estate.”

“But I’m not staying. Not for good. This is my life now.”

Enzo nodded. “I figured you’d say that.”

“Come on. Mom’s been baking your favorite cannoli.”