Part 3

Antony had entered the basement of Altezza's apartment and parked his sports car there. He once again helped Altezza toward the elevator that would take them to Altezza's penthouse.

Altezza remained silent, wrestling with his own thoughts.

"Stop crying over your fate, Al. I've told you from the beginning that she never truly loved you," Antony said as the elevator doors closed and began to ascend.

"She loves me, Antony. That's why she accepted my proposal," Altezza replied coldly.

"No, she doesn't love you, Al. And you have to stop fooling yourself. She married you because she knew she would get a comfortable life and financial support to boost her career. If she truly loved you, she wouldn't waste you. Her career would be secondary to your happiness. And look at what has been happening. For her, the career comes first, and you, well, who knows what order you're in. So what else do you expect?" Antony asked as the elevator doors opened. They walked slowly out of the elevator toward the door of Altezza's unit.

"She signed the contract without asking for my permission," Altezza lamented sadly. His head was bowed, and he chose to stare at his shoes rather than look directly at Antony. Given Jovanka's unilateral decision, somehow it made his lungs feel tight, and his eyes began to well up.

"And that further proves that you're not important. Not to make your situation worse, Cousin. But the fact is, all this time, you've given in too much to her. I'm not even sure if she feels jealous if you're with another woman. Your weakness in always letting her do whatever she wants makes her feel that whatever she does, whatever decisions she makes, you won't be angry because you know she'll come back to you, and she knows you'll always be there waiting for her. To me, you're like an entertainer who's always there when she wants you," Antony said, lifting Altezza's hand and scanning his cousin's fingers on the door before dragging him inside. They didn't talk until Antony dropped Altezza's body onto the wide ash-colored sofa in the living room of the penthouse.

Altezza groaned and positioned his body to be more comfortable, covering his eyes with one arm. Seeing that, Antony suddenly felt guilty.

"Sorry if I hurt you," he said sincerely.

"You're not wrong," Altezza replied without turning to look at Antony. "Everything you said is true. Since a year ago, I've felt like an unwanted man. But I denied it all because my expectations of her were too high.

"Since then, I shouldn't have given her another chance. But I always make the same mistake. And hearing that news earlier..." Altezza couldn't continue his words. Antony said nothing, walking toward the fridge, grabbing two bottles of mineral water, and returning to Altezza, handing him one.

Altezza sat down and took a sip of the cold water, finishing half of it. He leaned back on the sofa listlessly.

"She asked me to wait again," he said, playing with the bottle in his hand. "But this time, I'm not sure I can wait. Even the love I have for her no longer makes me confident." He murmured again, taking the remaining water and placing it roughly on the table. "I feel empty," Altezza said softly, lying down on the sofa again. "I've been faithful to Jovanka because I love her. Making my mother happy by giving her a good son-in-law is a bonus. And having a child and a happy family is my biggest dream besides a successful career.

"You don't know how painful it is for me every time someone asks Mamma and Padre when I will get married and give them grandchildren. What I want is to reveal everything to everyone. To admit that all this time—for the past five years—I have been someone's husband. But I'm too cowardly to do it. To fulfill my wife's wish, I actually disappointed the woman who gave birth to me. At least Uncle and Aunty have Flavia and use your past as a reason why you haven't married again until now. But me? I can't even admit that I have a girlfriend, and my girlfriend prioritizes her career over her lover and doesn't even intend to give her lover a child." A teardrop fell from the corner of his eye, and Altezza didn't bother to wipe it away.

Throughout their growth, Altezza was the one who always faced every crisis calmly and coolly. He wasn't as strict as Antony, nor was he too laid-back and carefree like their youngest cousin, Gian. However, Altezza could become very melancholic when he was sick or drunk. He was always sensitive—tending to be unable to control his emotions—when dealing with his parents or someone he loved.

"Break up with her, then," Antony said flatly. Altezza turned to look at his cousin with an unreadable expression. "Find another woman and marry her. If you feel you can't love another woman like you love Jovanka, then marry just to make your parents happy and have the offspring they want. At least the Quirino name will continue. Although, honestly, I really hope that you can marry for love. Not just marrying a woman who loves you or herself. But a woman who will love you, your child, your family."

"Is there anyone like that?" Altezza asked, uncertain.

"There is. Someone like Claire. Can't you see that? Then I'm sure there are other women like Claire out there. Just find a woman who truly loves her parents. Then she will surely love her own flesh and blood. And over time, I hope she will also love you, and you will love her. I always dreamed of marrying once in a lifetime with a woman I love and who loves me. And look at what happened to me. Fate is not always what we expect. And now, I'm trying to follow my fate by trying again. And you will witness my struggle in the future. And I want you to do the same." Now it was Antony's turn to pat Altezza's shoulder gently.

"If in the end, she doesn't choose you, then you make your own choice. At least as a man, we must have self-respect." He said, then stood up. "I'm going home; think about my words again." Antony then left Altezza, who was lost in his own thoughts until he eventually fell asleep on the sofa.