I’m Done Accepting Your Crumbs

Everyone knew I was severely allergic to cinnamon. Yet when I was four months pregnant, the family’s newly appointed Consigliere personally brought me an apple pie with cinnamon in it. By the time I was rushed to the hospital, I had nearly lost my unborn child. When Damian Luccese heard what happened, he canceled his appointments and stayed by my side, refusing to leave me for even a moment. However, just as he was coaxing me to sleep, his phone suddenly rang. “Don Luccese, Vivian claims the Donna framed her! She’s threatening to kill herself!” Damian’s expression darkened instantly. “She nearly killed my wife and child, and now, she has the nerve to make a scene?” He strode toward the door, only to turn back and press a kiss to my forehead. Guilt filled his eyes. “Honey, I’m going to make her answer for what she’s done. Wait for me.” I waited until the next day, when I was finally discharged from the hospital, yet he still had not returned. When I got back home and stepped into the study, I saw Vivian Sorrento crawling out from beneath his desk. “Donna…” She looked flustered and panicked. “I swear, I had no idea there was cinnamon in the pie! If you still can’t forgive me, I’m willing to resign as the family Consigliere…” Before I could say a word, my husband caught her by the wrist. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve done so much for this family. Until we get to the bottom of what happened, no one has the right to force you out.” His gaze shifted to me, and when he spoke again, his voice had softened. “Elena, something about this doesn’t add up. Don’t worry, I’ll find the person responsible. Vivian was being used too. She’s been so consumed with guilt that she hasn’t slept all night. Please don’t make things harder for her. Can you do that for me?” I lowered my gaze to their tightly clasped hands, feeling the blood in my veins turn to ice. Swallowing back my tears, I said nothing. Instead, I replied to my father’s message: [Dad, I’ve lost. I’m ready to return and take over the family.] Chapter 1 Elena's POV: “Who are you texting?” Damian Luccese’s voice suddenly broke the silence. I locked my phone and looked up at him. “No one.” He studied me for a moment, as though he wanted to ask something else. However, Vivian Sorrento called out to him in a gentle voice, and his attention shifted back to her. He lowered his voice and told her to return to her room and get some rest. I secretly let out a sigh of relief, yet Damian seemed surprised by my unusual composure. After Vivian left, he rose and came over to me, reaching out to feel my forehead. “Are you still feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor back? The doctor said that you were showing signs of a threatened miscarriage yesterday. I’m worried about you.” I drew away from his touch. “Damian, I’m fine.” A brief silence followed, but his voice remained gentle when he spoke again. “I know Vivian was careless yesterday. I’ve already warned her that if anything like this happens again, she’ll have no place in the Luccese family.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “But she said you can distinguish the taste of cinnamon better than anyone, so why did you still eat the pie? Elena, I want to know what really happened.” I stared at him in disbelief. “You think I deliberately put our baby at risk because I was jealous?” Damian frowned. “I just think there’s been a misunderstanding between you and Vivian ever since she took over as family Consigliere. She’s only been here three months, yet she’s already resolved a number of problems for the family. Meanwhile, you’ve had a problem with her from the very beginning…” I looked at him, suddenly finding the whole thing ridiculous. “Did you actually see me give her a hard time or deliberately target her? Or is that just what she told you?” Damian furrowed his brow but said nothing. My gaze drifted to the silver tray beside his desk. Several cinnamon cookies sat on it. There had once been a strict ban on cinnamon throughout the entire Luccese residence. One time, a chef had accidentally added cinnamon to a dessert. After that, the entire pastry team had never been allowed back into the house. Damian had once held my hand and promised me solemnly, “Elena, as long as I’m alive, I’ll never let anything dangerous come near you.” Yet ever since Vivian became the family Consigliere, cinnamon pastries began appearing in his study with alarming regularity. Once, she even instructed the kitchen to serve cinnamon rolls with my breakfast. When I reminded her of my allergy, she merely smiled and replied, “Donna, I’ve heard that exposing yourself to small amounts of an allergen can gradually help your body build up a tolerance. I’m only thinking of what’s best for you and the baby.” At the time, I ordered the kitchen to remove every cinnamon product from the house. The very next day, Damian came to persuade me to let it go. Vivian was new to the house and unfamiliar with my habits. I should be more understanding. Following my gaze to the silver tray, Damian spoke again. “Honey, those are for Vivian. She’s been working herself too hard lately, so she occasionally has a few snacks in the study. I’ve already arranged for your meals to be prepared separately. Nothing like this will happen again.” In my own home, I had somehow become little more than a guest who needed special accommodations. I lowered my eyes and chose not to argue. As I turned to leave, he gently caught my arm and drew me back into his embrace. “Elena, we’ve been married for five years. We can’t let one misunderstanding erase everything we’ve built together. Besides, we’re about to have a baby.” He rested his hand on my stomach, and at last, his gaze softened. “Once the baby is born, I promise I’ll personally take you to Socrota to visit your father. Then the three of us can take a proper family vacation.” I nearly burst into tears at the mention of our baby. The night before, as I lay trembling in agony, desperate for him to be by my side, he had been at home with another woman, doing things he had no intention of letting me discover. “I’ll do my best to keep Vivian away from you for the next few days. Focus on your recovery and take care of the baby. Once you’ve calmed down, we’ll talk.” Nausea rose in my throat. I could barely stomach the sound of his voice, let alone argue with him. It did not matter anymore. My father had already agreed to send someone to bring me home. However, if Damian refused to sign the divorce papers, I feared there would be one last battle to fight before I could leave New Borough. I lowered my gaze and turned away. Just then, the study door swung open again. Vivian walked in, holding a gold-embossed invitation. “Don Luccese, everything has been arranged for tomorrow night’s family banquet.” She placed the invitation on the desk, then glanced at me with a hint of hesitation. “Donna, considering you’ve only just been discharged from the hospital, I had your place at the banquet canceled.” Chapter 2 I stood frozen in place. Tomorrow night was the Luccese family’s annual allies’ banquet. By tradition, the Don and the Donna were required to attend together. We had to pay our respects to the heads of the family’s various branches. Five years ago, when Damian first took over as Don Luccese, several senior family members had refused to acknowledge his authority. I stood by his side, accompanying him from one household to the next until we finally won their support. Ever since, I had stood beside him at every annual banquet. “Who gave you permission to cancel my place?” I asked, my brows drawing together. Vivian froze for a moment before tears spilled down her cheeks. “The doctor said you needed to rest. I was only worried that the noise and commotion at the banquet might affect you and the baby. Besides, Don Luccese will need someone to help him manage family affairs. I’ve already made arrangements to accompany him.” I turned to Damian, only to see him nod in agreement. “Vivian has thought this through very carefully. Elena, you nearly lost the baby yesterday. Stay at home and rest tomorrow night.” “But it’s a family banquet,” I reminded him, my brows furrowing. “I know.” He stepped closer and gently adjusted the shawl around my shoulders. “Nothing matters more to me than you and our child. There will be plenty of people at the banquet, drinking and smoking. What if someone accidentally bumps into you? As for family affairs, Vivian and I can handle everything. She’s intelligent and poised. She’ll make an excellent companion.” I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. Back then, he had held my hand and declared before every member of the family, “Elena isn’t just my wife. She will forever be the Donna of the Luccese family.” Now, he was casting me aside as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Damian turned to me. A trace of helplessness crept into his voice. “Elena, don’t put Vivian in a difficult position. She’s only helping me with my work.” I said nothing more. I forced down the storm of emotions raging within me and answered quietly, “Fine.” Damian seemed relieved at last. He bent down and kissed my forehead. “That’s my Elena. I’ll come back early and spend time with you once the banquet is over.” I lowered my eyes, hiding the ache behind them. Five years ago, I defied my father’s wishes to marry Damian, willingly giving up my position as the heir apparent to the family. Now, I had finally agreed to return. Damian had no idea about this. The very banquet he had forbidden me from attending would give me the perfect opportunity to leave the estate. Damian opened his arms to embrace me, but I gently stepped aside. Vivian was still standing nearby, quietly sobbing. Damian glanced at her, then looked back at me. “Honey, go back to your room and rest. Once I’ve settled Vivian, I’ll come and keep you company.” I did not answer. I simply watched as he turned back to the other woman and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Once, he had comforted me the same way. Back then, I believed that the coldest don in all of New Borough had a tenderness he reserved for me alone. I closed my eyes briefly, then turned and walked out of the study. Behind me, Damian’s deep voice rang out. “Elena, I’ll come back to our room tonight and keep you company.” My steps faltered for a moment, but I did not look back. I knew he would not come back tonight, either. This time, I would not wait for him. Chapter 3 By the time I returned to the bedroom, night had fallen. As expected, Damian still had not come back. A maid brought me dinner and explained that Damian had instructed the kitchen to prepare my favorite cream of mushroom soup. He had even gone out of his way to summon our family doctor to check on me. When tears dripped down my cheeks and fell into my food, all I could feel was the bitter irony of it all. The doctor confirmed that the baby was fine. Only after seeing him out did I finally let out a sigh of relief. Right then, my phone rang. It was my father. “Elena, they’ll be there tomorrow night to bring you home. Are you absolutely sure about this?” I gazed out the window at the rose garden. Five years ago, my father asked me, “Can you promise me that man will never hurt you?” I nodded without the slightest hesitation. Looking back, I could almost laugh at my own naivety. “I’m sure, Dad. I’m coming home with my baby.” After hanging up, I walked toward the baby’s room at the end of the hallway. Three months ago, Damian had personally chosen the room for our child. It was filled with everything we had prepared for the baby’s arrival. However, when I wheeled my suitcase inside and pushed open the door, I froze for a moment. The once pale blue walls had been repainted. The crib Damian had personally picked out was gone, replaced by a double bed in complete disarray. The closet was filled with women's dresses. Vivian stood by the window, instructing the servants as they arranged fresh flowers. When she saw me, surprise flashed across her face. “Donna? What brings you here?” I stared at the empty corner of the room and asked, “Where are my baby’s things?” “Don Luccese had them moved.” A subtle, knowing smile tugged at her lips as she continued, “I’ve been busy organizing the allies’ banquet lately, and I often have to work late into the night. Don Luccese was worried it wouldn’t be safe for me to travel back and forth alone, so he asked me to stay at the estate for a while. I only wanted to use a guest room at first, but he said this room had the best natural light and would be perfect for me.” I gripped the doorframe, my nails digging so hard into the wood that they nearly left marks. “So you turned my baby’s room into your bedroom?” The smile faded slightly from Vivian’s face. “Donna, the baby hasn’t even been born yet. Of course, I’ll move out once the baby arrives.” She said it so casually as though there was nothing wrong with what she had done. I took a deep breath, turned around, and went to find the butler. Then I followed his directions, and I made my way to the basement storage room. The air was damp and musty. The crib had been carelessly propped against a corner, while the tiny clothes I had bought for our baby sat in cardboard boxes, gathering dust. Slowly, I crouched down and picked up one of the little outfits. Suddenly, I remembered how Damian had knelt beside the crib just three months ago, awkwardly trying to figure out how to install the safety rails. He laughed and said, “Elena, our baby is going to be the happiest child in the world.” Before our baby had even been born, their belongings had already been banished to a storage room. Clutching the tiny outfit to my chest, I could barely hold back my sobs. So this was what happened when someone fell out of love. Even the child they had once looked forward to welcoming into the world could end up suffering for it. Footsteps suddenly sounded behind me. “Elena?” Damian had returned at some point without my noticing. The moment he saw me kneeling on the floor, he hurried over, reaching down to lift me into his arms. “Honey, what are you doing down here? The floor is cold. Come on, get up.” I shook my head and stayed where I was. “Who ordered the crib to be moved?” Damian paused for a moment. “What’s the matter? Vivian has been handling a lot of family business lately. Some people aren’t happy with her, and I don’t feel comfortable letting her stay somewhere alone. There are guards here. She’ll be much safer staying with us.” I lifted my head and looked at him. “So you gave her our baby’s room?” His brows drew together slightly. “Elena, the baby won’t be born for another five months. This room is closest to ours, which makes it convenient for me to call on her when I need something. Besides, she’s only staying temporarily. Once things settle down, I’ll have the room put back the way it was.” He took the tiny outfit from my hands and gently brushed the dust from its fabric. Then he bent down and kissed my forehead. “Don’t be sad, darling. Once the banquet is over, I’ll personally help you set up the baby room again, all right?” I did not answer. I no longer wanted that room, just as I no longer wanted the man standing before me. My phone suddenly vibrated with a new message from my father: [Tomorrow night, nine o’clock. West gate.] I tightened my grip on the phone. In just one more day, I would be able to leave this place with my baby. There was just one problem left—the divorce papers. After a moment’s thought, I sent a message to the number I had saved. Chapter 4 By early evening the next day, the Luccese residence was ablaze with lights. Damian had already changed into his black formal suit. He slightly furrowed his brows. “What documents?” “Just some paperwork related to family affairs.” Vivian placed a folder in front of him. “You’ve had a long day, so I’ve arranged everything in order and marked all the places that need your signature.” Irritated and distracted, Damian flipped through the folder. The first few pages contained the follow-up arrangements for the allies’ banquet. Behind them were several family documents requiring the don’s signature and approval. Vivian stood beside him, guiding him through the paperwork. He signed his name without looking closely. “I’ve never doubted your ability to get things done.” Damian gave her a meaningful look. I could not help but let out a soft laugh. Vivian certainly was efficient. In less than five minutes, a scanned copy of the divorce agreement bearing Damian’s signature had already popped up on my phone. When Damian saw me coming down the stairs, he held out a hand. “Elena, come here.” He lowered his head and kissed my forehead before placing a diamond necklace in my palm. “I’m sorry you had to put up with so much last night. Once the banquet is over, we’ll sit down and talk things through.” Memories came flooding back, of all the times Damian had tried to win me over after one of our fights. Had he ever cared about me? Vivian’s voice came from outside the door. “Don Luccese, the car is ready.” Damian straightened the shawl around my shoulders, then turned around and left. As the car pulled out of the residence, I looked away and asked the maid to load my luggage into the vehicle. I did not take a single piece of jewelry. I only took my documents, a few changes of clothes, and the box of things that belonged to my baby. At exactly nine, the car my father had sent for me pulled up outside the west gate. I handed an envelope to the butler before leaving. “Please deliver this to Don Luccese’s study tomorrow morning.” He glanced at the cover, and the look on his face changed slightly. “Donna, is this…?” “The divorce agreement.” Then, I slowly rolled up the car window. As the car headed toward the airport, my phone suddenly rang. It was Damian. “Honey, are you asleep?” Music from the banquet drifted through the phone. “Not yet.” “I had some desserts sent back home. Make sure you have a little something to eat.” He paused for a moment, then continued with a smile in his voice. “Once the baby is born, we’ll attend next year’s banquet together.” I watched the streetlights slide past the window. “Damian, is the banquet going well?” “Very well. Vivian’s certainly capable. She helped me handle quite a few difficult guests tonight. Still, next year, I want you by my side.” My throat tightened. Five years ago, at a banquet just like this one, he held my hand and made a solemn vow before the entire family. He promised that in life or death, he would never let me face danger alone. “Damian.” “Hmm?” “I hope you won’t regret the decision you made tonight.” He let out a soft chuckle. “Honey, stop overthinking. I’ll be home soon.” After the call ended, I switched off my phone and gently rested a hand on my belly. “Baby, we’re going home too.”