Chapter 2

Even though ridiculous things had happened far too often, I still couldn't contain my shock.

This ring was a diamond piece Edoardo had personally flown to France for. He spent six months collaborating with an elusive, genius designer just to create it.

When Edoardo placed this ring on my finger, he had smiled and pointed to the engraving inside, "As You Wish," and told me, "Valentina, this is my promise to you. Your wish is my command."

Yet now, a solemn vow once given to me was so casually handed off to another woman.

Seeing me silent, Edoardo chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"Don't look at me like that. She's just wearing it for a couple of days. You'll get it back on the wedding day."

I raised my head, looked at the man I had loved for seven years, and smiled softly. "Keep it."

"What?" Edoardo asked.

"I said keep it," I said.

I didn't want the ring anymore.

And I didn't want this fiancé anymore either.

Edoardo's brows furrowed, as if he wanted to say something.

The next second, the front door clicked open.

"Val! I brought your favorite chocolate cake!"

Ambra walked in swaggering as if she owned the place. She flashed me a playful wink, then turned around to punch Edoardo's shoulder. "I'm thirsty now. Hand me your glass and pour me some wine!"

Edoardo gave her a helpless look. "What is your problem? Why do you always take mine when we have guest glasses?"

Despite his complaining tone, he still pulled his half-drunk wine out of the fridge, poured it for her, and slid his own glass toward her, his movements so practiced they seemed second nature.

I stood to the side, watching in silence.

Edoardo was a neat freak who never let anyone touch his personal items. Even I wasn't allowed to use his glass, let alone share a sip from the same one.

Yet Ambra was always the exception.

I had thrown a fit about this once, but Edoardo had simply said, "Ambra and I grew up together. We're just used to it."

It was a lie.

Sure, they had known each other since childhood, but only because their fathers had business dealings. Ambra herself had told me that during a slumber party.

When I first met Ambra as my college roommate, we didn't exactly get along. We both came from Italy, but our personalities clashed. Yet when I was falsely accused of plagiarizing a paper, she was the one who stepped forward with evidence to clear my name. From then on, we told each other everything, and she was even the one who introduced me to Edoardo.

When we graduated, Ambra's father ran into trouble, and her family business collapsed overnight. By then, Edoardo and I had returned to Italy to discuss marriage. I was the one who suggested taking her in at the estate, and Ambra had even wept in my arms out of gratitude.

I never imagined that from then on, the boundaries between them would vanish, they grew closer and closer, and I was pushed further and further outside.

"Valentina," Ambra's tentative voice broke through my thoughts. "You're not mad I'm wearing this, right?"

She waved her left hand. The ring caught the light, gleaming coldly. Her smile was soft, but I didn't miss the fleeting triumph in her eyes.

I curled my lips into a slight smile. "Why would I be? It's just a ring. Honestly, even if you wanted my man, he's yours."

The smile on her face froze instantly. A flash of guilt crossed her features, and her eyes quickly welled up with tears.

"Val, that's not fair..." She bit her lip, looking at Edoardo with a hurt expression. "I just thought it was pretty and wanted to keep it safe for you for a few days."

Edoardo was already stepping in front of her, shielding her behind his back. His voice turned icy.

"Valentina, that's way out of line. Apologize to Ambra."

I sneered internally.

He demanded an apology over a piece of truth. Yet they had made a mockery of my wedding, my ring, and my dignity time and time again without ever saying a single apology.

Ignoring them both, I turned around, dragged out my suitcase, and started packing.

Edoardo finally seemed to realize something was off. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving. We're done. You two can have the wedding." I zipped up the suitcase and stood up.

"Valentina, wait..." Edoardo's breath hitched. He stared at me intently, about to speak, when Ambra stepped up and grabbed my arm. "Val, stop it! Why do you always use breaking up to scare him? I'll give the ring back, okay?"

"Don't bother." I pulled my arm back.

Edoardo held her back. The sudden panic in his eyes vanished, replaced by that familiar, arrogant confidence.

"Valentina, grow up. You're not a teenager anymore. Why do you always have to make a scene?" He stared at me coldly. "Are you really just going to walk away? Didn't you promise your mom she'd see you walk down the aisle?"