Chapter 1

Celia's POV

Silence hung in the air for a while.

Aldo Vitale suddenly let out a chuckle. "Celia, since when did you get such a sense of humor?"

Aldo refused to believe that I would actually fly to Sirdon on my own when I used to cling to him every chance I got. Ever since we got together, I had relied on him for everything.

I was used to discussing everything with Aldo. It could be something as simple as which ring I should wear to a dinner party or something as important as whether I should accept a work assignment.

Sometimes he was too busy to reply to messages, I would immediately drive to the winery to ask him for an explanation.

Aldo stroked my hair and leaned in to kiss me, just like he always did. "My clingy little thing. I know you're upset. I'll take you to Sirdon for our honeymoon after we get married, okay?"

As his lips were about to meet mine, I turned away. "Could you help me zip up my dress first?"

Aldo froze. He finally noticed that I was wearing a simple long white dress today.

"This doesn't suit you. I think you look better in dresses with a little more color."

I put my jewelry back on. "I've been wearing the same style for so long. I'm getting a little bored of it. Can't I switch things up?

"What's so surprising about that? Haven't you always told me to have a mind of my own?"

Aldo seemed to have more to say, but all he could manage was, "I'm glad you like it."

With that, he rose to his feet. "Come on. Let's go get dinner."

But the moment he started driving, he got a call from Isabella Berardi. I had no idea what she had said to make his brows instantly furrow.

"I'm so sorry. We need to pick Isabella up first. She's had way too much to drink, and she's alone now. It's way too dangerous."

Without even waiting for my answer, Aldo started driving toward the bar. By the time we got there, we saw a drunk guy harassing Isabella.

Without a second thought, Aldo dashed toward them and swung a fist at the guy. He then grabbed Isabella's hand and held her protectively in his arms.

The moment Isabella spotted me, she hurriedly pulled away from his embrace. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault.

"I was exhausted, so I thought I'd have a few drinks to unwind. If I'd known you were on a date, I wouldn't have…"

Aldo cut her off, "Look at how drunk you are, and you're all alone too. How could I leave you like this?"

With that, he hesitated for a moment and said, "Can you go for the candlelit dinner on your own? I need to get Isabella home safely."

I nodded.

Seeing that, Aldo was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Isabella started dry heaving. He looked at me, clearly torn.

"Isabella gets carsick easily. Let her sit up front." His voice held a barely perceptible hint of nervousness, as though he was worried I might make a fuss then and there.

I didn't respond and immediately moved to the back seat.

Aldo glanced at me, surprise flashing across his face.

On the way back to her house, they chatted about old family stories I knew nothing about. From time to time, their laughter would fill the car.

I felt like an outsider who couldn't fit in with them. All I could do was put up with the lingering alcohol smell on Isabella and the nausea from being carsick.

Just then, Isabella suddenly noticed the plush charm hanging from the rearview mirror and gasped in surprise.

"Aldo, I can't believe you have this plush charm! I've always wanted one, but I'd have to make it myself. It's too much of a hassle."

Aldo answered casually, "Well, you can always take mine."

My head snapped up. I wanted to give Aldo a one-of-a-kind gift, so I followed online knitting tutorials over and over. I worked on making the matching pair of plush charms for an entire month before I was finally done.

"Isabella," I said.

Aldo looked like he had seen it coming. "Babe, don't take it so hard. It's just a charm. I'll make another one with you later."

I ignored Aldo. Instead, I took off the matching charm from my bag and handed it to Isabella.

Aldo froze and instinctively tried to stop me. "Hold up!"

This time, it was my turn to reassure him. "If you're going to give her the charm, you might as well give her both. Why would you just give her one?"

He couldn't help but glance at me through the rearview mirror several times. He looked like he had a lot to say but couldn't bring himself to say it.

I deliberately turned away to look out the window.

I had already given up on our relationship. What was the point of keeping that little charm?