Chapter 4

Isabella's birthday party had finally arrived.

With my departure approaching, I didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble at a time like this, so I dressed up and attended the party anyway.

I knew Luca all too well. He was domineering and arrogant, and if he found out I was planning to leave, I had no idea what he might do.

When I arrived, Isabella was reclining in a velvet armchair. The moment she saw me, she gave me a brief instruction.

"All the important guests are here tonight. Make sure you look after them. Don't embarrass me."

Before I could respond, she turned to Viola beside her and affectionately took her hand.

Luca, meanwhile, courteously pulled out my chair.

"I told you I'd pick you up, but you refused. Mamma was a little unhappy when I arrived alone, without you with me."

He pushed a bowl of stew toward me, his voice gentle as he continued, "Your injuries have only just healed, so I specifically asked them to prepare something light. Have some while it's still warm."

After spreading my napkin across my lap, he began talking about the arrangements for our wedding ceremony.

I listened in silence, and he seemed to take that as a sign that I was no longer upset.

Hearing our conversation, Isabella seized the opportunity to chime in.

"After the wedding, you'll need to start thinking about having children. Perhaps then you'll stop getting jealous over every little thing. You have none of the grace expected of a Donna."

A woman seated beside us laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Elena, you really should learn to put the Madre's mind at ease. After all, the Valentino Famiglia has never had a Donna from such an ordinary background before."

"That's right," another woman added. "Luca has stood by you for eight years. We've all been around long enough to recognize a man's true feelings, and we've seen how much Luca cares about you. I heard he even left a family meeting before it started just to soothe you after you threw a tantrum. Honestly, you shouldn't have done that."

Viola looked at me smugly.

I turned to Luca, waiting for him to say something. But all I got was silence, nothing but endless silence.

It was as though they were talking about someone who had nothing to do with him.

Isabella soon lost interest in me and turned her attention to showing off the brooch pinned to her chest.

"Viola designed this just for me. I like it far better than the antiques they sell at auctions."

She then announced, "She's just opened her own studio, so if any of you need something made, be sure to give her your business."

Several women immediately began asking about appointments, eager to win her favor.

Luca finally joined the conversation. "You should all order a little less from her. She's barely slept in days because of this brooch."

Viola quickly chimed in, "Of course I couldn't cut corners on something for the Madre."

Then she reached over and tapped the pinky ring on Luca's hand.

"You're next. That ring of yours was passed down through the older generations, and it doesn't suit you at all. I'm going to design a new one for you, a symbol that belongs exclusively to Don Luca Valentino."

"Then I'll be waiting. Once it's ready, make sure I'm the first to see it," Luca said as he slipped off the old ring he'd worn for more than a decade and placed it directly in Viola's hand.

Everyone around the table burst into laughter, everyone joking that Viola was the only person in all of Sicavella bold enough to replace the Don's ring.

I kept drinking, letting the burning liquor drown out the bitterness rising in my chest.

I'd once touched Luca's pinky ring, too.

When we first started dating, I hadn't known its history. Noticing how badly the band had worn down, I'd sketched several designs, hoping to make him a new one.

The moment he saw my sketch, the smile vanished from his face, and his expression turned stern as he explained, "This was left to me by my father.

"Elena, not everything can be judged by whether it's old or new. Some things have a value that can't be measured by a handful of gemstones."

I'd apologized over and over before tearing up the drawings and throwing them in the trash.

After that, I'd sought out every scrap of information I could find about the Valentino Famiglia and studied it page by page.

I memorized the names of past family heads, the relationships between the families, and even whom I was supposed to greet first at a party.

I wrote everything down and reviewed it again and again, terrified of making the wrong statement again.

More than anything, I was afraid people would think Luca had chosen a shallow, uncultured woman.

Now, Viola was turning the pinky ring over in her fingers, discussing which gemstones she would use to replace it.

I set down my glass, stood up, and picked up my purse.

"I'm leaving," I announced.

Everyone stared at me in surprise, but I didn't give them a chance to reprimand me. Instead, I walked straight out of the banquet hall without looking back.

Luca messaged me soon afterward.

"Walking out in front of all our guests, Elena? Has your jealousy gotten completely out of hand? If Viola hadn't covered for you by telling everyone you were still recovering from your injuries, what would the guests think of you?"

Viola. Viola again. It was always Viola.

I turned off my phone and returned to his estate.

With Luca still at the party, I had the perfect opportunity to retrieve the documents I needed before leaving. I had to act now, before I lost the chance to pack my belongings in private.

I pushed open the door to the walk-in closet in the master bedroom on the second floor. Beneath the cold white lights, I discovered that most of the wardrobes that had once belonged to me were now empty.

My clothes had been shoved into the farthest corner, while several of Viola's favorite handbags occupied the shelves.

Even the skincare products on my vanity had been replaced with brands I rarely used.

The butler followed me inside and offered an explanation. "Ms. Moretti has been preparing for a competition lately. She's been so busy that she often forgets to eat. The Don was worried about her, so he asked her to move in temporarily. That way, the kitchen staff can make sure she's properly taken care of."

He then added, "The guest room doesn't have enough closet space, and the Don said you don't have that many clothes, so he thought we could…"

His voice trailed off when he noticed my expressionless face, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed his eyes.

"You're back rather late tonight, ma'am. Is there something you're looking for? Would you like me to arrange a car for you?"

"No need. You can get back to work. I'm just picking up a few things for Luca."

The butler didn't suspect a thing and turned to leave.

I quickly gathered everything I needed to leave and tucked the documents into my purse. I didn't even dare take a suitcase.

Half an hour later, I'd checked into a small hotel near the harbor. Outside the window, waves crashed against the breakwater as I lay down on the bed and let out a long, heavy breath.

My departure was almost here. I just had to wait three more days.