Chapter 4

Sofia's POV

The exhaustion from packing all night, combined with the pain of my reopened wound, had completely drained me. I collapsed into bed and fell asleep almost immediately. By the time a maid woke me again, it was already noon.

A maid brought pumpkin soup and bread to my bedside. There was also a note on the tray. It was in Matteo's handwriting.

He wrote, "I have some business to take care of at the club. I've had a new dress custom-made for you. Let's go try it on together at three this afternoon."

I took small bites of bread while sipping the sweet soup.

The maid stood nearby and reported, "Don Calderoni has rescheduled the engagement party. A car will come to pick you up at 2:30 pm and take you to try on the dress."

All of a sudden, I found everything so laughable. Both Matteo and I were equally ridiculous.

What made him think that after all the humiliation and hurt he'd put me through, I'd still obediently follow his arrangements? And why was I still debating whether to meet him under these circumstances?

In the end, I got into the car Matteo had arranged for me.

Six years of love and resentment deserved a face-to-face goodbye, even if it meant bringing everything to an end.

Just as the car pulled away, Matteo called me. "Sofia, thank you for forgiving me. I promise I'll treat you twice as well from now on."

I responded with a soft hum and said, "Then I'll see you at the boutique."

Half an hour later, I walked into the bridal boutique alone, dragging my suitcase behind me.

The owner was the most renowned wedding dress designer in the south. The moment she saw me, she greeted me with a bright smile.

"Ms. Marino, your dress is ready. Please follow me to the VIP fitting room."

I waved her off. "No need. I'm not here to try on a dress."

"But Mr. Calderoni said…"

I didn't bother explaining. All I did was set my suitcase aside and sit on the couch. Then, I glanced up at the clock. It was already 3:10 pm. Matteo was late again.

I checked the map on my phone. Traffic was backed up all along the route from the club to the boutique. I thought to myself, maybe he was stuck in traffic.

Soon, another 20 minutes passed. Unable to wait any longer, I called Matteo.

He answered quickly, saying, "I'm sorry, Sofia. Something came up at the club and held me back. I'm already on my way to the boutique."

I sighed. "Why am I always the one waiting?"

He said apologetically, "I'm really sorry, but I'll be there soon. Could you please try on the dress first? I'm begging you."

I hung up and sat on the couch for a little longer.

Half an hour later, Matteo still hadn't shown up. I called him again, but he didn't answer.

Once, twice, three times… Every call ended the same way.

I then called his accompanying head of security, Luca Fontana.

"Ms. Marino."

"Where's Matteo right now?"

"He's… at the hospital…"

I shot to my feet. "The hospital? Why? Did something happen to him?"

"Not exactly…"

His hesitant response only irritated me further.

"Stop stammering and tell me what happened!"

"Ms. Romano had a stomach bug and was hospitalized. Don Calderoni is there with her…"

Luca continued speaking on the other end, but I couldn't hear another word.

Even for our final goodbye, he'd chosen to stand me up for Elena. In that case, I wouldn't be accompanying him through the rest of his life either.

…

Third-Person POV

Matteo gently wiped the sweat from Elena's forehead as she lay there, her face pale with pain.

Luca approached him cautiously. "Don Calderoni."

"What is it?" Matteo responded irritably.

"The bridal boutique called. They said Ms. Marino has left."

Elena frowned, as if their conversation had disturbed her.

Matteo glanced at her and lowered his voice. "She finished trying on the dress, didn't she? So what if she left? Why are you reporting something so trivial? Get out."

"But…"

Matteo impatiently urged him on. "Spit it out!"

"The driver never picked up Ms. Marino, and… she left with her suitcase…"

Matteo jumped to his feet and rushed home without wasting another second. However, all that awaited him was an empty room.