Chapter 2 Summary: Alessandra's Lonely Homecoming
Warning: This summary contains spoilers for King of Greed Chapter 2.
Summary
Alessandra once loved her husband Dominic deeply, but by the time he returns home late one night, she feels only a dull pain where love used to be. He gives her a perfunctory kiss and immediately checks his phone, showing more interest in Asian markets than in her. She mentions her friends visited to celebrate her dried-flower business milestone, but Dominic does not ask follow‑up questions. Alessandra reminds him of their upcoming tenth-anniversary trip to D.C. He promises not to forget, but then retreats to his home office to continue work. She suppresses tears, telling herself she has no right to be unhappy—she lives in a beautiful house with one of the richest men on Wall Street and owns a small business. After cleaning up the leftover Chinese food and wine glasses, she composes herself and goes to bed alone.
Key Events
- Alessandra waits for Dominic to come home; he arrives close to midnight.
- Their conversation is stilted: Dominic asks about her friends but shows no real interest.
- Alessandra mentions their tenth-anniversary weekend; Dominic promises to remember.
- Dominic excuses himself to work in his home office, ignoring her offer to heat up dinner.
- Alessandra clears the table, blinks back tears, and reminds herself she should be grateful.
- She finishes cleaning and the pressure behind her eyes disappears.
Character Development
- Alessandra is caught between nostalgia and resignation. She recalls the wildflowers Dominic used to pick for her and the sweet kisses he pressed on her shoulder. Now she sees his loyalty to his cologne as mere laziness. She chooses to suppress her emotions rather than confront him, hinting at years of swallowed disappointments.
- Dominic is wholly absorbed by work. He fulfills the minimum social obligation (a kiss, a vague question) and then retreats to his phone and his office. His “beloofd” (promised) about the anniversary feels hollow because he gives her no real attention.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Emotional neglect: Dominic’s physical presence is undercut by his emotional absence. He is home but not really with her.
- The empty home and the Chinese-food leftovers symbolize the couple’s hollow domestic life. The mess is cleared, but nothing is repaired.
- Self‑silencing: Alessandra berates herself for feeling sad (“Raap jezelf bij elkaar”) and forces a smile. She equates her outward privilege with a duty to be happy.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter establishes the core conflict of the marriage: Dominic prioritises money and career over the relationship, while Alessandra buries her own needs. The anniversary trip becomes a potential last chance—or a breaking point. It also reveals Alessandra’s inner voice and her dwindling hope, setting the stage for a major confrontation or decision.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Alessandra suppress her tears instead of confronting Dominic?
She believes she has no legitimate reason to cry because she is wealthy, lives in a beautiful home, and runs her own business. Her self‑talk (“I have no good reason to cry”) shows she equates material comfort with emotional fulfillment. -
What does Dominic’s behaviour after coming home suggest about his priorities?
He immediately checks his phone (Asian markets) and retreats to his home office. Even on the first night in weeks that she is awake when he arrives, he chooses work over meaningful conversation. His “work was work” answer reveals he does not want to share his day. -
How does the author show that the couple’s love has faded?
Through Alessandra’s internal contrast between past romantic gestures and the current perfunctory kiss. She notices he no longer smiles spontaneously or touches her except during sex. Their anniversary trip feels like a duty Dominic may still forget.