Reborn to Walk Away

When my husband, Alessandro, brought his widowed sister-in-law, Anna, back to our home in this life, I stopped putting up a fight. I decided to step aside and give them my blessing. Heck, I even made all their intimate moments possible. I handed over my promise necklace, wedding ring, and even the token of a Donna’s authority to Anna. In my previous life, Alessandro’s love and attention had gone to Anna even though he and I had been married for three decades. On my birthday, he was away, keeping her company at a doctor’s appointment. When I lay on my deathbed, he was busy watching the fireworks with her. Even our children resented me for taking Anna’s place. “A Don of the Colombo family can’t even be with the woman he loves. You have trapped Papa in this marriage. Mama, can’t you set Papa free?” By the time I opened my eyes, I was back to the year Alessandro moved Anna in. This time, I would walk away without looking back. Chapter 1 When my eyes snapped open, I was back in the comfort of my living room. Alessandro Colombo was helping Anna inside, supporting her step by step. “This is Anna, the woman Lorenzo could never stop worrying about at his deathbed. In his final moments, he made me promise repeatedly that I would take care of her and their unborn baby. Alessandro’s tone of voice was firm, leaving no room for objection. “Now that I’ve taken over the Colombo, you, as my wife, should be there for her.” Not breaking eye contact, Anna extended her hand. Her gaze was unwavering. “Donna, pleased to meet you.” My gaze fell on her finger. A sapphire ring with the biggest gemstone, its glimmer chilling, sat on her finger. Alessandro had spared no expense to win the ring at an auction years ago. I thought that it was meant to be my engagement ring from him, as the initials of our names were engraved on the inside of the band. Yet now, the ring fit snugly onto Anna’s finger. In my past life, I was outraged to see the ring on someone else, so I grilled Alessandro right there and then. Annoyed, Alessandro brushed me off and accused me of being hysterical. Since I refused to let Anna move in, Alessandro put her up in another manor. No one would have guessed that Anna lost the baby in an accident as soon as she stepped out. Alessandro put the blame on himself. I spent the rest of my life paying the price. When we had children of our own later in life, I thought Alessandro had moved on from Anna. It wasn’t until an illness threatened to take away my life that I realized that he had another family with Anna out there. In that home, Anna gave Alessandro a family, and they lived a sweet, blissful life. Even our children resented me for taking Anna’s place. “A Colombo Don can’t even be with his true love. You have trapped Papa in this marriage all his life. Can’t you set him free?” I coughed up blood in rage. Even when I breathed my last, I never saw Alessandro again. Now that I had a second chance at life, I chose to grant them their happily-ever-after. The moment Alessandro showed up at the house alongside Anna, I gave my permission to let her stay instead of kicking up a fuss. Alessandro was taken aback by my quick reply. “So… you’re not against it?” I smiled indifferently. “Of course not. She’s your sister-in-law, pregnant with Lorenzo’s baby. It’s only right to take good care of her.” He narrowed his eyes skeptically at me. His suspicion didn’t come out of nowhere. Before, I couldn’t stand any woman around him and did everything to push them away. Now, I simply pulled out a stack of paperwork, slipping the divorce papers right in the back. I peeled back the papers just enough to show the signature section before presenting them to Alessandro. “I’m dying for this piece of jewelry. I won’t be upset if you buy this for me. In fact, I’ll make sure Anna gets the best care.” Alessandro was stunned at first, but he quickly chuckled dotingly. “Is that all? You’re my Donna. You can have everything your heart desires.” He scribbled his signature without even looking at the price. I stared at the divorce papers, my grin carrying a sense of release. Tucking away the document, I turned and made my way out. Alessandro wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, and I froze. Back then, whenever he returned home late at night, he would come up behind me, holding me close and brushing soft kisses down my neck. “Thank you for being so understanding, Amora. This is wonderful.” I could feel something stirring within. However, Alessandro then murmured in my ear, “You’ll be responsible for Anna’s nutrition from now on. She prefers foie gras but doesn’t care for broccoli. The doctor has advised her to eat more greens, though.” I felt a squeeze in my heart. He was attentive to Anna to the point of remembering even the smallest details about her. As his wife, I didn’t receive the same level of care. Foie gras had been my lifelong allergy. The mere mention of the food gave me goosebumps all over my arms and made my stomach churn. Gulping down the bitterness, I nodded with composure. “Sure.” I stepped out of the manor and went to the nearest civil court. “Mrs. Colombo, your petition for a divorce has been processed. Your marriage to Mr. Colombo will be officially terminated in ten days.” I nodded. It would be over in ten days. In just ten days, I would be cut off from the man. Chapter 2 I had given specific instructions to the chef to tailor tonight’s dinner to Anna’s preferences. Upon entering the manor, I was met by a maid who informed me that Alessandro had already started dinner. I glanced at the time and noted that dinner began an hour earlier than usual. “Amora, you’ve got to try the foie gras. It is exceptional.” My gaze swept past their half-eaten plates. “Dinner seems early today.” “It’s the doctor’s orders. Anna needs to have her dinners at six, so we’re moving the time up.” As I nodded, the pungent smell of foie gras made me sick to my stomach. The maid served me a plate of steak. Fighting back the urge to throw up, I held my cutlery to begin dining. Sitting across from me, Anna put down her cutlery and stared intently at my steak. “Is there more of this steak? I’m craving one.” “My apologies, ma’am, but that was the last steak. We do have more foie gras. Would you like some?” The maid replied tenderly. This was something I had the chef prepare and reserved for me today. Furrowing her brows, Anna rubbed her belly. “Amora’s steak is tempting me. I bet my baby is hungry for it.” Alessandro looked at my plate. “Amora, let her have your steak. You can have the foie gras.” I pursed my lips. “But I—” Before I could finish my sentence, Alessandro reached out and grabbed the plate from me. Anna speared a piece of meat and smiled sweetly at me. “Thank you, Amora. The baby loves it.’ When the maid set a plate of foie gras down in front of me, the rich smell of the pâté hit me, and I couldn’t help but retch. Under their stunned gaze, I made a mad dash to the bathroom and threw my guts up into the toilet, my hands clinging to the bowl. It was a while before Alessandro returned to our bedroom and found me reading a book in bed. Sitting by the bed, he spoke critically, “Amora, there you are again with your temper. Are you refusing dinner out of spite?” Bitterness washed over me. In the past, Alessandro would hold my hand the entire night when I doubled over from menstrual cramps. Now, he didn’t even care enough to ask why I had thrown up. I answered dismissively, “I wasn’t hungry. We used to have dinner later.” With his muscles relaxing, Alessandro took my hand. His eyes lit up when a thought struck him. “I’m putting together a blessing for Anna in a couple of days, where the priest will bless the baby, and I’ll be named the child’s godfather.” Despite convincing myself not to care about Alessandro’s favoritism toward Anna, I couldn’t stop my heart from breaking. Our wedding anniversary was also coming up. On every previous anniversary, Alessandro would plan a surprise ahead of time and celebrate the day with me. This year, the celebration slipped his mind. “Alright. I’ll organize it.” I nodded and volunteered to help. “I'll plan everything exactly the way she likes it.” Alessandro paused for a minute, a complex of emotions fleeting across his eyes. In the past, we had fought many times over Anna. Yet now, I was even willing to hold a blessing or her, something Alessandro could not get used to. Shrouded in hesitation, Alessandro seemed to have something on his mind. Eventually, he simply nodded and added, “Just do as you see fit. Keep it simple, as the pregnancy has been hard on her. Safety first.” “Sure,” I responded, keeping all my grievances locked up inside. With a tender look on his face, Alessandro tried to pull me into his arms. I pushed him away. “You should check on Anna. It’s difficult for her to get around, so she could use the help.” Alessandro pulled a long face. “Aren’t you worried about me getting too close to her?” I shook my head. “She’s your late brother’s widow. It’s only right for you to treat her right. She only has you to lean on now that Lorenzo is gone, right?” I would not stand in their way again. With tension easing along his facial lines, Alessandro held me gently. “What’s the matter? Before, you’d be acting up by now.” I didn’t make a sound. He met my eyes tenderly, his lips curling. “You’re finally being reasonable, Amora. Anna’s pregnant, and she needs us more than ever. It’s time to drop the petty jealousy.” ‘You have a point, Alessandro. I won’t ever get mad at you again. The Amora who got jealous, made a scene, and loved you to bits is long gone.’ Chapter 3 In the next two days, I poured my energy into putting together a blessing for Anna. I personally oversaw all the details from the theme of the ceremony to the selection of centerpiece flowers. The manor hall was decorated in black and gold. Flowers were flown in fresh from the Netherlands, and the wine and cuisine were prepared to the highest standards. The entire venue exuded opulence to the point of perfection. On the day of the blessing, the Colombo estate was brightly lit. Guests arrived in succession, all influential members of the five greatest families. I was hardly off my feet, keeping everything running. The guests showered me with compliments, praising my devotion to throwing a great party for Lorenzo’s widow. With poise and grace, I invited Anna and Alessandro to cut the cake together. Hand in hand, the pair sliced the cake with happy smiles. The priest blessed the child in Anna’s womb while the room fell into solemn silence. Standing in a corner, I held a glass of champagne and watched the whole thing. At the end of the blessing, the priest cleared his throat and said out loud, “As tradition prescribes, may the godfather of the child now step forward to take his vow.” Alessandro straightened his tie and took strides toward Anna. Anna sat in her assigned seat, her hand caressing her bump as a gentle smile hung over her face. Taking one knee, Alessandro placed his hand over Anna’s belly. He pressed his palm against her skin with the utmost care, terrified of startling the life growing inside. “I, Alessandro Colombo, do solemnly accept the role of the child’s godfather.” His voice was deep and solemn, and his words carried weight. “I hereby swear to protect this child for life and raise him as my own.” He took a pause and looked up to meet Anna’s eyes, a softness slipping into his tone. “I will also keep the child’s mother safe, shielding her from harm.” Anna’s eyes welled up with emotion, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She reached out and shuffled Alessandro’s hair, her fingers shaking. “Alessandro…” Her voice cracked with sobs, yet there was a hint of satisfaction in finally getting what she wanted. The ceremony then moved on to the gift presentation, where Alessandro announced in front of everyone that the docks in the eastern district now belonged to Anna and the baby. The docks were one of the core assets of the Colombo empire that brought millions in annual revenue. The guests had a newfound respect for Anna, knowing that she was definitely more than his late brother’s widow to Alessandro. Saying nothing, I simply smiled faintly. Anna grabbed a drink from the server’s tray and approached me with a smile. “Amora, let me offer a toast to you for everything you’ve done for me.” As she spoke earnestly, I took the drink and finished the liquid all at once. Picking up on a creaking noise from the ceiling, I looked up and saw the chandelier swaying. “Get back!” I warned the others. Before I had time to move to a safe distance, Alessandro shoved me from the back, and I stumbled forward. Snapping his arms around Anna, he drove to the other side. The chandelier crashed to the floor with a loud thud. My arms were slashed by shards of glass and metal. I fell straight into the broken glass when I was knocked over, and blood poured out. My eyes brushed past the chandelier and locked onto Alessandro, who shielded Anna in his embrace. He took all the shattered glass for Anna. Feeling the sharp pain across my arms, I bit my lip. Meanwhile, Anna was in a full-blown panic, her shrill voice cutting through the quiet room. “Argh! It hurts… My stomach hurts…” The hall broke into a commotion. Flustered, Alessandro helped Anna up and examined her carefully for injuries. He scooped Anna into his arms and stormed out, not even looking at me once. I stared at his back, meaning to say something, but the words caught in my throat, suffocating me. As blackness took away my vision, my legs gave out. “Amora!” Someone in the crowd exclaimed. I felt chills all over as my line of gaze began to blur. My head hit the floor, and darkness consumed me. Chapter 4 I woke up from the pain, and the searing agony from my arms blew my eyes wide open. The nurse looked distressed. After much hesitation, she said, “Please bear with the pain. Don Colombo called the doctors away. We don’t have an anesthesiologist available to administer anesthesia, so I have to extract the glass shards directly.” My chest tightened. All of Alessandro’s attention was on Anna. He was so anxious about Anna to even notice me. I tried to speak, but my body was drained. I couldn’t even move my fingers. At the tug of the nurse’s tweezers, I shook violently in pain. Cold sweat drenched my back as tears rolled down my cheeks. The glass shard was removed a piece at a time until finally, my arms were wrapped in gauze. Out of the surgery room, I was ready to go home when I spotted Alessandro. Holding Anna with one arm, Alessandro examined the medical report. He frowned, assuming my tears were nothing more than a jealous fit. “Why are you here? Anna nearly got hurt, so I took her here for a check-up. Don’t you try anything.” “No.” I forced down the lump in my throat and raised my arm slightly. “I came here to get patched up. You pushed me, nearly getting me hit by the chandelier. Did you forget?” Spotting the blood seeping through the gauze, Alessandro realized what he had done. He released Anna, his eyes reflecting guilt and heartache. “No… I didn’t see you… I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you—” “Alessandro, I’m next.” Anna cut him off and pointed at the examination room, her tone vulnerable. “Can you go in with me? I’m scared…” Alessandro walked toward her while looking back to say, “You should head on back home. Let the household staff take good care of you. I’ll be back soon.” He then helped Anna into the examination room. Before, Alessandro would be there for a full-body examination even for the tiniest scratch on me, fearing the worst. Yet now, he didn’t bother to ask about my blood-stained arms. I stared at their receding figures. Inches before the door came to a full close, Anna looked back and winked at me with a defiant smile. My gaze held steady as Anna disappeared from my sight. Well, it didn’t matter anymore. Today was the day my divorce from Alessandro was finalized. Back in the manor, I started packing my things. I took all my things with me, and the ones I couldn’t carry were dumped. After packing my bags, I sorted out everything related to Alessandro. They were every picture we took together, the collectible jewelry and designer bags he had gifted me, and the oil painting on the walls he had painted. These were proof that he once loved me, and now, I would throw them into the burning fireplace. The flames devoured everything, reducing it to nothing, just as my bond with Alessandro. … While keeping Anna company for her prenatal check-up, Alessandro couldn’t shake off something stirring within. He got a gnawing feeling that he was about to lose something forever. Anna’s vitals came back positive. Fighting back the unsettled sensation, he took Anna home. He stepped into the manor, only to find the place had been turned upside down. On the table sat the blood-diamond necklace of the Colombo Donna, along with my wedding ring from Alessandro. A note beside them read, “For Anna.” With her eyes sparkling, Anna grabbed the necklace and held it against her neck in joy. However, Alessandro was furious. “Put it down. That belongs to Amora.” He called his underboss over. “What’s going on?” “Don Colombo, Donna is missing. She left this…” Alessandro read the document, color draining from his face. It was a certificate of divorce.