The Mafia Don Rejected Her… Then Learned She Was Dying Chapter 03
The next morning, I woke up before sunrise and packed the last of my belongings.
Thankfully, my mind was unusually clear today.
I knew exactly what day it was.
The day I was leaving.
Outside the Moretti estate, luxury cars lined the driveway for as far as the eye could see.
Some of the most powerful names in business, politics, and high society had gathered to witness the wedding of the year. Reporters crowded the gates, cameras flashing nonstop as every major outlet fought for a story.
After taking my cough medicine, I finally worked up the courage to leave my room.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, I ran straight into Alexander.
He had just emerged from his suite, dressed in a custom-tailored black tuxedo.
Every inch of him looked like a king.
His eyes swept over me once.
His expression immediately darkened.
“You’re seriously planning to attend my wedding dressed like that?”
I didn’t know how to explain that I wasn’t attending at all.
Fortunately, a voice from downstairs interrupted us.
“Don Alexander, it’s time. The cars are ready.”
His jaw tightened.
For a moment, he simply stared at me.
Then he said, “Go change into something presentable.”
I gave a vague nod.
He turned and headed downstairs, instantly swallowed by the crowd surrounding him.
As they walked away, I caught fragments of conversation.
“The groom looks miserable.”
“Right? The man’s marrying the love of his life. Shouldn’t he be smiling?”
The rest faded into the distance.
I stood alone in the hallway.
And somehow, I knew.
That had been the last time I would ever see him.
I returned to my room and picked up the framed photograph of my parents.
The three of us smiled back at me from another lifetime.
“Mom. Dad.”
My voice was barely above a whisper.
“Alex got married today.”
I brushed my fingers across the glass.
“His bride is beautiful. They look perfect together.”
My throat tightened.
The words nearly broke me.
“Soon… we’ll be together again, too.”
Forever.
When the auspicious hour arrived, I stood by the window and watched Alexander climb into the wedding car.
Cheers erupted around him.
The convoy pulled away.
The gates closed behind them.
And the estate fell silent.
For a split second, it felt as though someone had carved a piece out of my chest.
Then the feeling passed.
I wiped my eyes.
Straightened my shoulders.
And under the stunned gazes of the household staff, I carried my parents’ photograph downstairs, rolled my suitcase behind me, and climbed into the car waiting to take me to the airport.
On the drive across Manhattan, giant LED billboards lit up the skyline.
Digital displays wrapped around skyscrapers.
Advertisements flashed from taxis.
Every screen showed the same thing.
Alexander Moretti and Elena Foster’s wedding.
The wedding of the century.
I watched in silence while the wind dried my burning eyes.
When I arrived at the airport, a message from Adrian appeared on my phone.
Attached was a photo of the wedding venue.
My breath caught.
Lavender flowers.
Purple crystal accents.
A shower of flower petals.
It was almost identical to the dream wedding I’d described only days ago.
My heart skipped.
Was it intentional?
Or just a coincidence?
A moment later, I forced the thought away.
It didn’t matter.
None of it mattered anymore.
I was leaving.
This world no longer belonged to me.
The second photo showed the ceremony itself.
Alexander stood at the altar in a black tuxedo.
Elegant.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
Beside him, Elena looked breathtaking in a white wedding gown.
A message followed.
[I’ll deliver your gift after the ceremony. Serafina, I hope your surgery goes smoothly. Take care of yourself.]
A dull ache spread through my chest as I looked at the photo.
But I still found myself breathing easier.
At least the last family I had left in this world had found his happiness.
I smiled and replied.
[Thank you, Adrian. I hope you find your own happiness someday too.]
Then I pressed send.
And turned off my phone.
A flight attendant approached with a smile and handed me a small gift box.
“Miss, today’s a special day for the Foster and Moretti families. Don Alexander prepared gifts for passengers across the city to celebrate the occasion. Please accept this with our compliments.”
I froze.
The entire city was celebrating his wedding.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the box and opened it.
Inside were several keepsakes.
And a handful of handmade chocolates.
I unwrapped one and placed it in my mouth.
Sweet.
Exactly the same flavor.
Years ago, Alexander had driven across half the city just to buy those chocolates for me.
I closed my eyes.
This was probably the last one I’d ever taste.
The plane began taxiing toward the runway.
Outside the window, New York’s skyline stretched across the horizon.
Familiar.
Beautiful.
And soon to be gone.
I opened my phone one final time and typed:
[Alexander.
I wasn’t always easy to deal with, and I know I caused you a lot of trouble over the years.
I’m leaving now.
Please forget about me completely.
I hope you’ll always be happy.]
After sending the message, I removed my U.S. SIM card.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
I snapped it in half and dropped it into the trash bag beside my seat.
Then I inserted the Swiss SIM card.
The overhead announcement echoed through the cabin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Flight 702 to Zurich is now preparing for departure…”
The engines roared to life.
A familiar weightlessness settled over me as the aircraft accelerated.
I lowered my sleep mask over my eyes.
Blocking out the city.
Hiding the tears that slipped silently down my cheeks.
An ocean would soon separate us.
A lifetime might pass before we met again.
Maybe we never would.
And this would be the last time I cried for the girl I used to be.
The girl who loved too deeply.
Too blindly.
Too completely.
From now on, whether life brought joy or suffering, health or sickness, I would learn to love myself first.
No more looking back.
Goodbye, Alexander.
And this time…
goodbye forever.
