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Chapter 3

Penulis: Eternity
Night had fallen by the time I returned to the Vescari estate.

Inside the main house, employees were carrying my belongings out of the east suite. My orchids lay piled in the hall, soil scattered around shattered pots.

Nora stepped forward. “Who gave you permission to touch Mrs. Vescari’s things?”

The estate manager looked uncomfortable. “The scent of orchids gives Miss Bianca headaches. Mr. Vescari ordered us to remove them.”

“This is Mrs. Vescari’s private suite.”

“Miss Bianca has been suffering frequent panic attacks. This wing is closest to Mr. Vescari’s study and the safe room, so...” She let the sentence trail off.

Inside, my blue-gray curtains had been replaced with Bianca’s favorite burgundy. My books, photographs, and belongings filled boxes, while my mother’s dressing table stood in the hall.

Bianca waited by the door in an oversized cashmere coat. “You’re back? I wanted to wait until after you moved, but Adrian was worried the guest rooms weren’t secure enough. He insisted I take the east wing.” Her gaze shifted to a garment bag an employee was carrying. “What’s in there?”

The manager unzipped it, revealing an ivory wedding dress. The Bellandi family had commissioned it to Bianca’s measurements seven years ago. After she fled, I wore it into the church.

On our wedding night, Adrian had unfastened the buttons himself. I thought the Bellandis’ deception would enrage him, but when he saw the birthmark behind my shoulder, he only murmured, “I knew it was you.”

He later had the gown restored and sealed in this suite. I considered it proof that Adrian had known the truth and still chosen me.

Bianca ran her fingers over the skirt. “It was made for me, but another woman wore it. I never want to see it again. Burn it.”

The staff instinctively looked at me. I turned away. “Do whatever she wants.”

Adrian emerged from the room, clearly having heard us. He glanced at the dress and frowned but did not interfere. Instead, he handed me a black presentation box. Inside was a limited-edition Leica, newer and far more expensive than the camera I had locked away seven years earlier.

“I remember how much you loved photography.” Adrian watched me. “Once Bianca’s situation is settled, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. If there is anything else you want, tell me.”

I looked at the camera. “Is this compensation?”

“No.” His brows drew together. “I know these past few days have hurt you.”

I raised my eyes to his. “Adrian, did you ever truly love me during those seven years?”

He barely hesitated. “Every day.”

I went still.

Adrian came closer and took my hand. “I knew you weren’t Bianca on our wedding night. I kept you because I wanted you, not because you looked alike or because of the truce.” His voice was low and earnest.

Days earlier, those words might have made me weep with joy. Now I felt only grief.

“Then why must everything be returned to her piece by piece the moment she comes back? My belongings, my rooms, even my identity?”

His grip tightened slightly. “Bianca was taken because of the alliance between our families. She suffered for seven years while we had a marriage, a family, and safety. I love you, but I also owe her justice.”

At last, I understood. Perhaps Adrian’s feelings for me had never been false. He simply believed that because he loved me, I should understand his guilt, accept his decisions, and surrender what belonged to me to Bianca once again.

Everyone wanted my understanding: my parents had no choice, Bianca had suffered, and Adrian carried guilt. As long as I kept retreating, everyone else could have a happy ending. No one asked how much farther I could go.

After a long silence, I closed the box. “I don’t want anything else.”

This time, I meant it.

Unease flickered in Adrian’s eyes.

Bianca suddenly braced herself against the doorframe. “Adrian, I’m dizzy.”

He turned immediately and steadied her. “The doctor told you to stay in bed. You shouldn’t have been standing this long.”

Bianca leaned against him, her face pale. Adrian looked at me. “I’ll take her back to her room and come stay with you later.”

I did not answer. Before he led her away, Bianca looked back at me. There was no weakness in her eyes.

Adrian never returned that night. Bianca did.

When she entered my room, I turned my phone facedown on the desk and discreetly began recording.

“I heard you went to the Bellandi estate today.” Bianca sat across from me and picked up Adrian’s camera. “Do you believe I spent the last seven years suffering too?”

I said nothing.

She smiled. “No one forced me to leave. I chose to go with Julian. We bought a house in the south of France and lived well for the first few years. Then he died, and the money he left is almost gone. I can hardly spend the rest of my life mourning a dead man.”

I looked at her. “So you came back.”

“I came to reclaim what was always mine.” Bianca surveyed the room that was no longer mine. “The Bellandi inheritance, the harbor shares, and the place at the head of the Vescari family.”

“Including Adrian?”

“Of course.” Her smile deepened. “But don’t worry. I know he loves you.”

My fingers paused.

Bianca leaned closer and lowered her voice. “That is exactly why he believes you will forgive anything he does. I don’t need his love. I only need him to believe I suffered and feel guilty enough to choose me again and again. Once he has hurt you for me often enough, nothing will remain between you.”

I met her gaze. “What if Adrian learns you left willingly?”

Her smile did not waver. “What difference would that make? He already believes my story. Even if he learns the truth, he’ll only think I was young, frightened, and made a bad choice. He would never truly punish me.”

I touched the sealed case in my pocket and nodded. “You’re right.”

After tomorrow, none of this would have anything to do with me.
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