The Donna’s Stolen Christmas Was For Her Don’s First Love Chapter 06

The Donna’s Stolen Christmas Was For Her Don’s First Love Chapter 06

By the time I reached the hospital, my mother had already been wheeled into the emergency room.

My uncle stood in the hallway, a crumpled payment slip still clutched in his hand.

“Someone from the Santapaola family told her to come to Noto Valley tomorrow to discuss your situation. She got so worked up that she collapsed.”

I braced myself against the wall. My legs were so weak I could barely stand.

My uncle saw Fabrizio behind me. Every trace of respect vanished from his eyes.

“Don Santapaola, please leave.”

Fabrizio’s voice was low. “I’m sorry. I’ll cover all the expenses.”

My uncle let out a cold laugh. “Santapaola money can make every person in Sicily bow their heads, but it can’t buy back a life.”

A nurse came out with the bill. Fabrizio took it before anyone else could. “I’ll handle it.”

I didn’t stop him.

What he owed couldn’t be settled with one hospital bill.

—

At three in the morning, my mother was transferred to the ICU.

The doctor said she had been brought in just in time. Her condition was stable for now.

Fabrizio walked over to me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know my mother would contact her directly. I only wanted you to calm down.”

“I am calm.”

My phone screen lit up. A message from my lawyer.

[Ms. Abelli, the initial draft of the agreement has been received. Asset division has been organized per your instructions. We can schedule a meeting with Mr. Santapaola tomorrow.]

Fabrizio saw the screen. His expression darkened instantly. “When did you hire a lawyer?”

“Christmas Eve.”

He looked like he had been struck. “So you’ve been preparing for this divorce the entire time?”

“Yes.”

He laughed bitterly. “Camilla, you’re ruthless.”

I met his mocking gaze head-on. “Not as ruthless as Catania’s infamous cold-blooded Don.”

He went quiet.

—

Near dawn, Fabrizio’s mother arrived at the hospital. Marcella trailed behind her.

The moment his mother saw me, she frowned. “Your mother is fine now, isn’t she? Give back that agreement from last night.”

My uncle erupted. “What did you just say?”

Her composure faltered. “I’m only saying that divorce isn’t a small matter. Camilla is being too impulsive.”

Marcella held up an insulated food container, her voice small. “I brought some food. You all must be hungry.”

I looked at the new necklace on her throat. “Take it and leave.”

Fabrizio stepped in front of her too, snapping at her with an impatience I had never heard before. “Marcella, go home.”

Marcella froze. “Fabrizio?”

“Go.” He looked at her, his tone even colder. “You’re not needed here.”

It was the first time he had ever taken my side.

If it had come sooner, maybe I could have forgiven him.

But my mother was lying in the ICU, her face pale as paper.

I couldn’t look away from that.

At noon, the lawyer came to the hospital.

—

Fabrizio stared at the freshly printed divorce agreement, gripping the pages. “What if I refuse to sign?”

The lawyer answered evenly. “You’re free to pursue litigation.”

Fabrizio looked at me in disbelief. “You’d rather take me to court?”

I said nothing.

My uncle answered for me. “Don Santapaola, save yourself some dignity.”

Fabrizio gave in.

He flipped to the last page. Before the pen touched paper, he asked, “Camilla, after the divorce, where will you go?”

I looked through the window at my mother’s still face. “Somewhere I don’t have to live by family rules.”

His hand trembled around the pen.

After he signed, the lawyer collected the agreement.

Fabrizio sat on the hallway bench for a long time without moving.

I pushed open the door to the room. My mother had just woken up.

She looked at me weakly. “Camilla, where’s Fabrizio?”

I held her hand. “Mom, we’re divorced.”

Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, but she didn’t blame me.

—

“Let’s go home.”

—

My mother squeezed my hand weakly. “Home. Yes. Let’s go home.”

She closed her eyes again, exhaustion pulling her back under.

I sat beside her bed, watching her chest rise and fall with each breath.

Outside the room, I could hear Fabrizio’s mother arguing with my uncle, her voice sharp and demanding.

I didn’t care anymore.

Five years I had given to that family. Five years of being the perfect Donna, the perfect wife, the perfect pawn in their political games.

And in the end, I had been nothing more than a placeholder for a woman who had never even been gone.

I pulled out my phone and texted my lawyer.

[Proceed with the asset division. I want everything settled within the month.]

The reply came quickly.

[Understood, Ms. Abelli. We’ll move as fast as the law allows.]

I put the phone away and leaned my head against the window.

Outside, the Sicilian sun was rising over the city, painting the rooftops in gold.

A new day was beginning.

And for the first time in five years, I was finally free to decide what it would look like.