Chapter 3

"Are you jealous, by any chance?" Felix asked. "You've always been the one telling me to look out for Lilian, especially with her health being so fragile. Now that I'm doing exactly that, you're upset with me."

When I didn't respond, his tone took on a self-righteous tone. "Don't be unreasonable, Sylvie. She's your best friend. Weren't you the one who asked me to be kind to her? And now you're upset because I stayed to make a wish with her?"

I was exasperated. "How incredibly noble of you, Felix."

He frowned, about to fire back when his phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, then looked up.

"I'll be out of town for a few days on business. Take care of yourself while I'm gone."

I gave a vague hum in response, secretly hoping he might just stay away for good.

…

Early the next morning, I slipped into an elegant gown and got ready to head to Valentino Estate to say my goodbyes.

In the grand hall, the family elders were gathered around the long table, engrossed in discussion about recent family affairs.

Don Valentino sat at the head of the table.

I gave a slight nod. "Don Valentino, thank you for your generosity over the years. I've come today to say my goodbyes."

The murmur of conversation stuttered to a halt. The grand banquet hall went still.

Madre Isabella's face tightened with concern. "What's going on, Sylvie? Why are you leaving all of a sudden?"

Don Valentino slammed his hand against the table. "Where's Felix? Why isn't he here with you? Did he do something to you?"

Before I could respond, slow, deliberate footsteps echoed from the hallway. Felix walked in, Lilian by his side.

"Sylvie? What are you doing here?" Lilian's voice carried the confidence of someone who saw herself as the Valentino family's future daughter-in-law.

A faint smile crossed my lips as I replied coolly, "Where I decide to be is no business of yours."

I turned and headed to the door.

Snapping out of his daze, Felix rushed after me. "Don't get the wrong idea, Sylvie. I only brought Lilian here so my parents could help her find a good doctor. You're not mad, are you?

"Haven't you always wanted the best for Lilian? She's ill. Doesn't it make sense to let her stay here so we can look after her?"

For some reason, a memory flashed through my mind. It was from when Felix was 16, back when we'd taken that trip to Mount Frostara in Javellis. Standing at the snow-covered peak, he'd made me a promise.

He said that marrying me was the one thing he wanted more than anything else and that I'd someday become the lady of the Valentino family. But now, he'd brought Lilian into his family all while feeding me some lie about a business trip.

I let out a bitter laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting me.

When I didn't respond, he added, "Sylvie, you're not bothered by something this insignificant, are you?"

I kept my eyes on him, struck by how pitiful and ridiculous he'd become.

Felix pulled me into an embrace and kissed my forehead. "Just go home. I'll see you later."

The moment he walked away, I wiped my forehead clean. He made me sick to my stomach.