Chapter 5

Alessandro didn't get home until half an hour later, with a disheveled Mia following behind him.

Acting like nothing happened, he wrapped an arm around me like he was trying to please me, speaking gently.

"Jane, I punished her severely. Now I'm having her apologize to you in person."

Mia apologized quickly.

"I'm sorry, Miss Jane. It was all my negligence. I hope you can forgive me, considering Don Alessandro has already 'punished' me."

She deliberately bit the word "punished" in an incredibly suggestive way.

Alessandro stiffened, then darkened his face and barked at her.

"You're done apologizing, so what are you still standing here for? Get the hell out!"

Mia's provocative look froze instantly. She looked at him with grievance.

"Yes. As someone who made a mistake, I wouldn't dare interrupt your anniversary."

With that, she turned and left with red eyes.

Alessandro's eyes uncontrollably followed her as she walked away, while I just watched him calmly.

He noticed my gaze and put on a facade of indifference.

"Let her go reflect on her own. Now that nobody is bothering us, I'll take you out to sea for a vacation."

I gazed at him for a long time.

The man in front of me didn't look much different from the arrogant, domineering teenage boy who confessed his love to me ten years ago, just a bit more mature.

But in the same place, at the same time, I just couldn't merge those two figures together anymore.

Ten years ago, his heart and eyes were filled with only me.

Now, someone else had squeezed her way into his heart.

I closed my eyes, composed myself, and was just about to announce my decision to go to Italy.

Suddenly, a loud pop came from outside the estate, followed by a woman's tearful scream. It sounded like a blown tire.

It was Mia's voice.

Alessandro shot up from his seat. There was no time to hide the panic and anxiety on his face. He just dropped a quick, "Jane, I'm going to see what happened. I'll be right back."

And hurried off.

He left in such a rush that he naturally didn't hear me say, "I'm marrying someone else."

A car engine started outside.

Leaning against Alessandro's chest, Mia looked at me through the window and gave me a triumphant smile, silently mouthing the words:

Look. To Alessandro, I'm more important than you.

Watching the familiar car disappear into the distance, I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Having experienced Alessandro's undivided love before, how could I not know?

It's just that I had already given up on this relationship.

So I really didn't care who was more important to him anymore.

I headed back inside and started packing my bags for Italy.

Alessandro, who said he'd "be right back," never called or texted all night.

It wasn't until late at night that my phone rang.

I knew it was him.

I glanced at it, but didn't pick up. I was tired of entertaining his lies.

Early the next morning, I was woken up by urgent knocking.

I opened the door to see a frantic Alessandro.

"Jane, why didn't you answer my calls yesterday?"

He sounded almost wronged.

"I was too tired from packing and fell asleep."

Alessandro's gaze instinctively flicked behind me, finally noticing the piles of packed luggage in the middle of the living room.

His face went cold. He grabbed my arm anxiously.

"You're packing? Where are you going?"

I shook off his grip and answered calmly.

"I'm going to Italy."

Hearing this, Alessandro breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh, to visit your dad. When are you leaving? I'll send my private jet for you tonight."

"I'm taking a flight tonight."

"Okay, I'll take you to the airport. But come back early, baby. You know I can't stand not seeing you."

Another lie.

I smiled silently.

Once I leave, I'm never coming back to New York.

Alessandro didn't think much of it and closed the door for me.

"Your birthday is in a few days. Why don't I throw an early birthday party for you? To make up for the fact that I won't be there with you on your actual birthday."

I didn't say no.

The chances of seeing anyone from New York again once I went to Italy were slim. I treated it as a farewell party.

But just as I was about to get in the car for the party, I saw Mia in the backseat.

"Jane, I'm really sorry about last time, so I wanted to come to your birthday party to apologize again. You won't reject me, will you?"

As she spoke, she purposely showed off a cut on the corner of her lips, giving me a challenging look.

Alessandro tried to defend her too.

"Jane, she means well..."

"I know. I don't mind." I brushed him off lightly, opened the passenger door, and slipped in. "Drive."

Alessandro froze, looking completely lost.

I had been spoiled since childhood. I always loved fiercely and hated fiercely; if I was unhappy, I said it.

This was the first time I was so calm about something involving him.

But that just meant my feelings for him were fading.