Chapter 3

Aldo and I knew each other better than anyone else. Going from being lovers to complete strangers was far from easy.

However, things between us had come to an end. I decided to talk things through with Aldo and give our relationship a proper ending. It would be better for both of us.

But the person in charge of the winery told me Aldo wasn't there today, and they had no idea where he was.

Just then, Isabella came out from the wine cellar. The moment she saw me, she explained with a smile, "Don Vitale is discussing business with a family in Wimare. There are too many eyes and ears around over there.

"It wouldn't be a good idea for you to meet him there. Luckily, my place isn't far from here. Why don't you come over for a while?"

Isabella didn't give me a chance to refuse. She took my arm and ushered me into her car. She told me that she had bought a place near the port so she could keep an eye on the shipments whenever necessary.

The moment she opened the door, I saw a man's coat hanging by the entrance. I knew it all too well.

I froze on the spot. Just as I was about to tell myself that it was just a coincidence, I spotted the silver cufflinks I had given Aldo a few days ago lying on a tray.

He had left the gift I had given him as an apology in another woman's home. As I thought about all those sleepless nights when I had cried myself to sleep, I felt like a pathetic lovesick fool.

Isabella followed my gaze and spoke first, saying, "Celia, don't get the wrong idea. Don Vitale only stays here for a few days each month because it's easier for him to handle business here."

I blinked, forcing back my tears. The matching slippers on the floor, the silver-cased lighter on the table, which Aldo had used for many years… His presence was everywhere in this house.

"Don Vitale always told me that your presents look nice, but he hardly ever uses them. They just end up collecting dust."

Isabella paused, her smile becoming more knowing. "Don Vitale's always on the move, so he prefers things that are actually useful.

"He really loved the gun I got for him back then. He takes it with him everywhere he goes. Celia, if you really want to win Don Vitale over, I can show you what he actually likes. I guarantee he'll love them."

With that, Isabella seemed to remember something else. "Oh, right. Do you remember the last time you and Don Vitale fought? I was the one who convinced him to go home.

"Men fear a woman's tears the most. But if you do it too often, they eventually find it annoying. When I told him it was just a sign of how much you loved him, he went to the winery the next day just to wait for you."

As I tossed and turned night after night, crying over Aldo because I was so desperate to make things right with him, he had another woman comforting him.

And the moment I entered Isabella's house, I realized there was only one bedroom. My stomach churned.

Just then, I heard the door open.

"Isabella, do you know where the shipment handover form is? I remember you were the one who put it away."

Aldo looked down as he changed his shoes. He went about it as if he were in his own home.

The moment he got up, his eyes met mine.