Chapter 3

Through my hangover, I was jolted awake by one phone call after another.

"Seraphina, what's the final word from the upscale wedding venue?"

"Seraphina, Father is furious. He says this reckless decision has cost the Gallo family a fortune."

"Seraphina, get home right now and explain yourself!"

My head was splitting.

I lay in bed for a long moment before it sank in that last night wasn't a dream.

The wedding I'd waited seven years for was really gone, all because of a candy-guessing game.

I rubbed my temples and opened my phone.

99+ unread messages.

I tapped on Julia's voice message.

"Seraphina... what I said last night, I'm not taking it back. Be ready."

And Lorenzo's chat? Spotless. Empty.

Someone had posted a group photo on Instagram last night, captioned "Happy birthday, never apart."

The filter was warm-toned. Everyone was smiling.

I stood in front of the cake, candlelight flickering on my face, looking like I was genuinely happy.

Someone commented below, "So when's the wedding?"

The poster replied, "Haha, hit a little snag."

I took a deep breath and dialed Lorenzo's number.

"Seraphina?"

In the background, Julia's voice drifted through:

"Lorenzo, my head hurts so bad..."

Without waiting for me to speak, Lorenzo said urgently:

"Handle your parents, and take care of the hotel cancellation too. I'll cover the penalty fee."

"I can't get away right now. Julia's thrown up a few times and her stomach's still off. I need to take her to the hospital."

Not a single apology.

He took it for granted that I would, just like every time in the past seven years.

Support and accommodate his every decision unconditionally.

How laughable. The truth was, our time... had less than three days left.

"Okay."

I answered softly and hung up.

I pulled out an empty cardboard box and started packing away everything related to Lorenzo.

The love journal he'd stayed up hand-writing for me the year we met at twenty.

Dried rose petals he'd given me a year later were still tucked inside.

One light touch, and they crumbled into red powder.

The first pair of couple mugs we'd made ourselves.

His crooked "S&L" was carved into the bottom.

Now it had faded too.

And an amethyst worth a small fortune.

Four years ago, when this group of boys first left home and stepped into the horse betting world, they placed their first bet.

He'd overruled everyone, insisting on the dark horse nobody believed in, the one with the bleak record.

I emptied every last bit of my savings and gave it to him.

The moment the race ended and the results came in, he'd scooped me up in his arms and kissed me, ecstatic.

"Seraphina, I'm using the winnings to buy you the most special amethyst."

"People bet on odds, on wins and losses, but I bet on forever. You're my priceless treasure."

Seven years. Over two thousand five hundred days and nights.

I thought we'd already won.

Never imagined he'd gamble away our future.

I tossed each item into the cardboard box, one by one.

Then dragged it downstairs.

The housekeeper gasped when she saw it:

"Miss, are you sure you're throwing the right things out? These are all treasures!"

I smiled calmly.

"Nothing's wrong."

"I don't want any of it anymore. If you want it, it's yours."

She thanked me profusely and took the box.

I slid the engagement ring off my finger and dropped it in.

"Oh, and this too. It's yours."

She stood frozen, disbelief all over her face.

I hailed a cab and went to the hotel.

The manager looked up as I walked in alone.

"Miss Seraphina, are you here by yourself?"

I answered:

"Oh... my fiancé is busy notifying everyone about the reschedule."

The manager's face lit up with understanding, nodding eagerly:

"So it's a reschedule! I thought it was canceled. When's the new date? I'll take care of it right away."

"The day after tomorrow. Thank you."

Walking out of the hotel, the sunlight stung my eyes.

I lifted my head and looked at the vast blue sky.

Something that had been hanging inside me finally settled, completely.

This seven-year dream.

I was finally awake.