The Don’s Consigliere Charged Me By The Minute To Touch Him Chapter 02
Down the Drain
[Elena’s POV]
I got home to an empty house.
Dripping wet, I dragged myself inside. On the dining table sat a bowl of soup, long gone cold.
I’d just picked it up when my phone buzzed. Valentina’s Instagram.
A screenshot of a $5 million bank transfer. Two first-class tickets to Switzerland.
[Hard work pays off. Grateful for the overtime bonus and the reward from my Boss.]
The last photo was a shot from the airport — two figures from behind, fingers laced, wearing matching couple’s outfits.
The wedding band I’d placed on Dante’s finger ten years ago — the one he swore he’d never take off even in death — had been replaced by a matching ring with Valentina.
I laughed softly.
Without a word, I carried the bowl to the kitchen sink.
Tilted my wrist and dumped it all down the drain.
After my shower, there were messages from Dante.
[Something urgent blew up with one of our operations. Flying out tonight to handle it.]
[Take care of yourself. We’ll visit Mom together when I’m back.]
I turned off my phone and didn’t reply.
…
That night, I drifted in and out of broken dreams.
I dreamed of being twelve.
Dante crawled out of his stepfather’s house, half to death, begging for help. My dad rushed in to save him.
Six stab wounds. Dead on the scene.
Dante holding me as I fell apart in my Dad’s funeral, his tears soaking my neck. “Lena, I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you.”
Years later, when his first operation went sideways and debt collectors backed him into a corner — my mom postponed her heart surgery. She handed over every cent of Dad’s death settlement.
Dante knelt by her hospital bed, gripping my hand. “I swear I’ll make enough to fix your heart. I’ll make Lena the happiest bride in the world.”
I opened my eyes.
The pillow beneath me was soaked.
My chest felt hollow. Nothing left but tears running into my mouth.
Salty. And bitter.
My phone rang. It was the hospital.
I grabbed it, heart pounding.
“Mrs. Moretti, your mother’s condition has deteriorated suddenly. Please come immediately.”
The hospital corridors were dead silent in the middle of the night.
The doctor blocked me outside the emergency room. “Her heart is at its absolute limit. If we don’t do the transplant soon, she won’t make it.”
I slumped against the wall, fingers trembling so badly I could barely hold my phone.
I kept dialing. Over and over.
On the eighth call, someone finally picked up.
“Dante — Mom’s heart is failing — I don’t need much, just $10,000 —”
Two seconds of silence. Then a bright, chirpy giggle. “Donna, the Don is in the shower. He’s busy.”
I froze for a moment, then forced my voice out, hoarse and raw. “Valentina, I need $10,000 approved. My mother’s heart can’t hold out — she needs surgery right now. I’ll sign an IOU with interest. Please. I’m begging you. Just approve it.”
“And why is that my problem?” Valentina’s laugh was light and venomous. “A half-dead old hag leeching off the Don’s money. Keeping you around is already a loss — now we’re supposed to bankroll your deadweight mother too? You two are really something. If you’re that desperate for cash, go sell yourself at some club downtown. You’re a little past your prime, but do it enough times and you’ll get there eventually.”
The line went dead before I could speak.
I slid to the floor. My chest felt like it was being ripped in half. But no tears came. Not a single one left.
…
Near dawn, my mother was finally wheeled out.
“She pulled through — but she cannot take any more shocks. Any emotional distress could kill her. Please arrange the transplant surgery as soon as possible.”
Back in her room, Mom was already awake.
She reached out with calloused, trembling fingers and stroked my face. “You’ve gotten so thin. Where’s Dante? He hasn’t visited in so long.”
I pressed my cheek into her palm, fighting back tears. “He’s arranging the surgery. Mom, they found a matching heart. We’ll operate soon.”
She smiled. The deep wrinkles on her face softened with relief. “As long as you two are happy, I’m at peace. Dante loves my smoked brisket — I made a big batch. Don’t forget to bring it to him.”
I bit my lip until it bled. “I will.”
Outside her room, I found the doctor.
“Schedule the kidney donation surgery for me. I’m the donor… No — I’m the seller.”