Chapter 4

I followed him to the company. He dragged Mia, who was working, into a dim stairwell, his face full of rage.

"Mia, did you ruin my 10-year anniversary with Jane on purpose? I told you a million times how to set up the villa, and I specifically told you Jane is allergic to hazelnuts! And what did you do?"

"Not only did you trash the house, but you got hazelnut liquor! Do you have any idea I could make you disappear for this?"

Mia stumbled as he pulled her, almost falling.

She shook off his hand violently and looked at him with red eyes.

"Yes! I did it on purpose!"

"Making me personally plan the anniversary for the man I love and another woman? You could kill me and I still wouldn't do it right!"

"It's not fair! I love you so much, why can't you see me!"

Seeing the tears welling in her eyes, the anger on Alessandro's face faded a bit, though he still scolded her in a low voice.

"This is your duty as a secretary! Besides, you know I love Jane. You should have expected to see us together. You brought this on yourself."

Mia's voice broke. She sobbed, reminding him how her hands were stained with blood for him, how she took a fatal attack for him.

"Yes, I brought it on myself. I'm the one who had to fall in love with you. I'm the one who gave up my dreams to stay by your side."

"I know you don't love me. But Jane gets your love while staying perfectly clean, while I gave up everything for you. I clearly love you more than she does, why can't you give me even a little bit of the love you give her? Just a little..."

Alessandro's expression softened even more.

Maybe he didn't even realize how moved he looked, but I saw it.

But the next second, he turned his head away, avoiding her gaze.

"Jane and I grew up together, twenty years of history. I only love her."

I couldn't tell if he was trying to warn her, or warn himself.

Mia gave a miserable smile. Her eyes were full of endless sorrow as she told him her old wound was flaring up, the pain unbearable, like a knife twisting in her flesh.

"I'm so jealous of her, that she gets your love."

"And I just have to endure this pain on your anniversary with her!"

"Your old wound is hurting?" Alessandro froze.

Looking at the woman in pain in front of him, he spoke stiffly, "Tell you what. I can give you a special privilege. You are my subordinate, after all."

"I want a kiss as my painkiller, can I?"

A sudden spark of life ignited in Mia's eyes. She bit her lip, looking at him cautiously.

Alessandro fell silent. He didn't say yes, but he didn't say no.

Seeing that he didn't answer, Mia tentatively stood on her tiptoes, inching closer and closer to his face.

Alessandro shuddered. He reached out to push her away, but slowly dropped his hands a few seconds later.

Seeing this, Mia gave a genuine smile and planted a soft peck on the corner of his lips.

But just as she pulled away, Alessandro's big hand grabbed the back of her head, pulling her into an aggressive, dominant kiss. They stayed tangled together in the dim light for half an hour!

Mia quickly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Boom—

Even though I had already decided to let go of our twenty-year relationship, seeing them so intimately intertwined still felt like a sledgehammer smashing into my chest.

The blood drained from my face. I could barely stand.

So this is what it feels like... watching the man you deeply love be intimate with someone else.

I stood there like a masochist, watching them lost in the kiss, letting the pain in my heart spread through my entire body.

Once it hurts enough, it won't hurt anymore.