Thirteen Days to Leave My HusbandChapter 1
My husband slept with his best friend's sister.
Not once, not twice, but multiple times, and he even brought her into our home. The bed, the couch, the kitchen counter. He told me he only loved me, yet his body told a different story.
I didn't even have to imagine it. I heard her voice with my own ears.
"Marcello, when are you going to divorce her? You promised me."
"Soon, baby. Not now. She's still grieving over our dead daughter."
"Poor thing. Having a mother like her… no wonder. But don't worry, I'll give you a child soon. I'll get pregnant."
"I'm counting on it."
"But tell me the truth. Do you really love her, your wife Arianna?"
"Yes. I love her."
My husband, the man everyone in this city whispered about, the cold, dangerous Don of the Castellano Family, still had the audacity to speak about love while touching another woman.
Thirteen days. That's all I needed. My travel documents would be ready by then. So I went to the consulate and filed my application.
"Hello, I'm here to apply for emigration," I said at the counter, handing over my paperwork.
The clerk glanced at me, stamped everything quickly, and slid a receipt across.
"Your application will be processed in thirteen days, ma'am. Please wait patiently."
I nodded and walked out. Behind me, I caught the sound of murmuring.
"Did I hear right? Mrs. Castellano applied for emigration?"
"She's leaving the country? But Don Castellano dotes on her more than anyone. What could've happened?"
"Remember that wedding seven years ago? Biggest event in the city. The cathedral, the five hundred guests, the old Don giving his blessing before he passed. Three years ago when she got into that car accident, Marcello gave her half his blood. Last year she went missing for an hour, and he turned the city upside down looking for her. Had every soldier in the Family on the streets. And now she's leaving him?"
I let out a quiet laugh, the kind that doesn't reach the eyes.
Yes. Everyone knew how much Marcello "doted" on me. To the outside world, I was the only woman he cared for. He was ruthless to everyone else, untouchable, feared even by his own men. Capos lowered their eyes when he entered a room. Associates crossed themselves when his name came up in conversation. But for me, he was all fireworks, diamonds, and sweet words.