Chapter 3

The next evening, Luca’s friends organized a gathering, supposedly the last bachelor party before the wedding.

The location was a private club in the south of the city.

I didn’t want to go.

Luca stood at the entrance of the walk-in closet and brought me a coat.

“Chloe, everyone’s waiting. Just accompany me this once, okay?”

I glanced at him and eventually went out.

After all, only one day remained.

When we arrived at the private room, Luca’s friends were already drinking.

Vera sat beside the main seat in a light-blue slip dress, the pearl hair clip Luca had given her pinned in her hair.

Seeing Luca, she immediately smiled and waved.

“Luca, over here!”

Luca walked over naturally and sat beside her.

I stood for two seconds, then sat on his other side.

One of Luca’s friends, Victor, raised his glass and laughed as he teased.

“Luca, the wedding is almost here. After this you won’t be able to come out drinking with us every day like now.”

Everyone laughed.

Vera propped her chin on her hand and deliberately sighed.

“That’s not necessarily true. What if after he gets married he still thinks accompanying me is more important?”

Luca laughed and tapped her forehead.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Though he said that, there wasn’t the slightest displeasure in him.

After several rounds of drinks, Victor suddenly remembered something and slapped the table.

“Right, Luca, where’s that wedding ring of yours? Take it out and show us!”

Luca took a black velvet box from the inner pocket of his suit.

The box opened to reveal a platinum ring set with a diamond.

I recognized it at a glance.

This too was one he had designed himself.

He had said that a Moretti man would place a wedding ring on only one woman in his lifetime.

At that time he had held my hand and said seriously,

“Chloe, on the wedding day, I’ll put it on you myself.”

Yet at this moment, Vera suddenly reached out.

“Let me see! I’ve never seen such a beautiful ring.”

Luca handed the box over.

Vera took the ring, examined it under the light, then suddenly smiled: “It’s really beautiful. Luca, can I try it on?”

I just looked up.

But Luca had already nodded.

Vera giggled as she slipped the ring onto her ring finger.

The size happened to fit perfectly.

She paused, then raised her hand for everyone to see.

“Oh my god, it’s actually this perfect!”

Victor whistled.

“This is too much of a coincidence, isn’t it? If people didn’t know better, they’d think this was prepared for Vera.”

The table erupted in laughter.

Luca laughed along with them.

Only I remained silent.

Vera lowered her head to admire the ring, then suddenly frowned.

“Oh no, it seems stuck.”

She pulled hard outward, but the ring didn’t budge.

Luca immediately took her hand.

“Don’t move. Let me see.”

He lowered his head and carefully turned the ring for her, afraid of hurting her.

After a long struggle, the ring finally came off.

Vera let out a long breath. Just as she was about to put it back in the box, her fingers slipped.

The ring landed on the edge of the table, bounced once, and fell straight into the adjacent swimming pool.

A splash.

Everyone froze.

The next second, Luca abruptly stood up. Without even taking off his suit jacket, he jumped straight into the pool.

“Drain the water! Find it immediately!”

Somehow a piece of glass cut the back of his hand; blood quickly seeped out.

Vera’s eyes turned red with fright.

“I’m sorry, Luca. I didn’t mean to…”

Luca didn’t even turn his head.

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault.”

He ordered the bodyguards to drain the pool.

I sat in place and watched the ring he had treasured for five years finally be fished out of the water.

The band had been deformed by pressure, and several scratches marked its surface.

Luca took the ring, his brows tightly furrowed.

Vera looked at me with red eyes.

“Chloe, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I really didn’t mean it. How about I compensate you with a new one?”

She reached out as if to take my hand.

I avoided it.

“It’s fine.”

Only then did Luca look at me, seemingly surprised by my calmness.

“Chloe, Vera didn’t mean it either. The ring can be repaired. It won’t affect the wedding. We can get different rings.”

I looked at the ring in his hand and didn’t continue the conversation.

He thought I was still angry, and a trace of impatience entered his tone.

“There’s no need for you to keep dwelling on this. Vera has already apologized. What more do you want?”

I suddenly smiled.

“I don’t want anything.”

I had simply finally understood that even when something was ruined, he would only blame me for not being tolerant enough.

Just then, Vera suddenly clutched her stomach, her face turning pale.

“Luca, I feel a bit unwell…”

Luca immediately set the ring down and supported her shoulders.

“Where does it hurt? Is it because you drank?”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll take you to the hospital.”

He turned and instructed the bodyguards. Without even taking his coat, he supported Vera and headed out.

As he passed me, his steps paused slightly.

“Chloe, you stay and eat with them first. I’ll come back after handling Vera’s matter.”

I didn’t answer.

After the private room door closed, Victor awkwardly rubbed his nose.

“Chloe, Luca just values his childhood sweetheart too much. Don’t take it to heart.”

I picked up my bag.

“I’m not taking it to heart.”

That was true.

After all, I no longer planned to marry him.