The Mafia King's Unknown Doctor Wife novel Chapter 223

Elena stood up from her seat. She had done what she promised–she had heard her husband’s story and perspective. But Elena’s own beliefs held firm.

She couldn’t in good faith stay married to a man when her own feelings were so messy. And though it was harsh to say, Elena wasn’t sure she could rely on her husband. Already, he had let her down so many times.

“If you don’t have the divorce papers I signed still, I’m happy to send you a new copy,” Elena said. “I still have Mr. Fabio’s number, so I can get everything sorted with him–I know you have a busy schedule so don’t worry about it. Besides, I’d like to apologize to Mr. Fabio in person anyways.”

Elena opened the confessional door, ready to leave.

“Wait!” Max cried out. He took a breath. “Just one moment, Elena–please.”

“Why?” Elena asked. She kept perfectly still, neither moving to sit or close the door—or leave. Not yet, at least.

“I understand your feelings,” Max said, “as, after all, those were my feelings a few months ago. You seemed to have an excuse for every problem, but, once I got to know you better, I realized there were no problems or excuses–just misunderstandings. I won’t claim I haven’t been unreliable, but I have changed.”

“What are you trying to say?” Elena insisted.

“I’m trying to promise that I can become that dependable person for you, Elena.”

Massimo wasn’t sure how things had gotten so out of hand. One moment, Elena was politely sitting across from him in the confession booth–the next, she was standing, ready to leave.

The door to Elena’s side of the confessional was still open. The dim light from the rest of the church was no doubt shinning on her face–Massimo assumed as much, at least. He could only see a bit of light hit the thin curtain that obscured the two’s vision of each other.

But Elena was determined–Massimo could tell as much from her voice. And when Elena was being stubborn, Massimo knew he couldn’t fully convince her of anything. He wouldn’t be able to change her mind.

But maybe, just maybe, he could create a sliver of doubt.

It was a small, pathetic hope, but it was a hope Massimo clung to anyways. He had gotten this far. Couldn’t he get just a tad further?

“Just hold off on your decision for three months,” Massimo pleaded. “You waited two just to see me–can’t you wait just a little longer to get to know me?”

Elena was silent for a long moment–no doubt thinking over all her options.

“I don’t know,” Elena said. “Three months from now would be the end of December. Isn’t it bad luck for couples to break up before the new year?”

“You can think of it as us breaking up here, if you’d like,” Massimo offered. “And the three months is just me trying to win you back?”

Elena sighed. “Max, while I enjoy our talks and think we might grow to be good friends one day, I don’t want to

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He to you. I don’t want to give you false hope that we’ll stay together when my mind is already made up.”

Massimo’s throat grew dry. “I understand, but please, let me try anyway.”

Elena hummed. She didn’t sound too convinced.

“I want to try to be a proper husband these next three months,” Massimo continued, “so that I can at least say I gave this relationship a real try–that I gave it everything I could. I’m confident your feelings will be sorted and simple by the end of that time–that you’ll have grown to love me, clearly and simply.”

Massimo took a breath, forcing himself to stay calm. “And if I’m wrong, I’ll take care of the divorce papers myself,” Massimo finished. “That’s the least I can do.”

“You’re a lot more stubborn than I thought you’d be,” Elena admitted.

“You’ve given me something to fight for,” Massimo replied. “So, what do you say?”

It was silent in the church for a long moment. All Massimo could hear was the faint pitter–patter of rain hitting the church’s roof.

“Alright,” Elena agreed. “We try for three months. But if either of us are unhappy by then, we’re done–no further deals or ultimatums, agreed?”

“Agreed,” Massimo vowed.

Just then, Elena’s pocket began to loudly ring. It took Elena a moment to recognize it as the loaner work phone Luca had let her borrow–since her old work phone was still being looked at.

“Sorry, one minute,” Elena said. “It’s a work call.”

“Please,” Max replied.

Elena answered the call. It was from Luca.

“What’s up?” Elena asked. She knew Luca–unlike Massimo–would only call her this early in the morning if there was an emergency.

“There’s been a sighting of Tyler in New York,” Luca hurriedly explained. “It looked like he was heading for New York City.”

“Tyler’s in town?” Elena echoed. She couldn’t believe Tyler was acting so boldly! Didn’t he fear turning the mafia dons against him by disobeying their orders?

“We have reason to believe so, yes,” Luca confirmed.

“That’s not good,” Elena replied, already thinking of all the ways Tyler could cause trouble.

“It’s not. So you need to return to the Ferraro estate immediately.”

“I will,” Elena replied. But a sudden thought made her brow furrow. “How is Massimo holding up–he normally makes these kinds of calls, so is he okay?”

“The don is at a confidential meeting right now,” Luca replied. “I’ll call him and check that he’s fine in a minute, but it was more important to tell you first.”

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Chapter 223

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“Really?”

“You don’t carry any weapons on you, Dr Elena. Nor do you have any combat training. If something were to happen, you’d be in much more danger than Don Massimo.”

“Point taken,” Elena said. “But you sound pretty busy yourself. Do you want me to call Massimo?”

Elena heard Luca’s sigh of relief clearly through the phone. “Yes, that would actually be exactly. Thank you, Elena.”

“No problem. See you soon.”

“Everything alright?” Max asked as Elena hung up the phone.

Elena blushed. She had nearly forgotten all about her husband once she heard the news about Tyler! She was lucky she hadn’t said anything incriminating in front of a civilian.

“Yes,” Elena said. “Well, no, actually–there’s a work emergency that I need to take care of.”

“Please, go ahead,” Max replied. “I’m just glad we finally got to talk for as long as we did.”

Elena smiled at his sweet words. It was nice that Max finally understood that her work hours could be just as chaotic as his own.

“So am I,” Elena said. “I’m also excited to see how you can make me fall in love with a man I can’t even see.”

“Don’t underestimate me.” Max’s tone was joyful, like he might be joking, but the serious undertone made Elena doubt that.

“I should get going then.”

Suddenly, the rain outside picked up. The roof had practically become a drum from all the heavy rain drops falling onto it.

“Actually, I think I’ll make one more work call here before I head out,” Elena said.

Weirdly, Max started to protest. “Maybe you should-”

“One second,” Elena said. And without another word, she dialed Massimo’s number.

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