Chapter 4

Serena's POV

The moment Alessio saw me, panic flashed across his face. Almost instinctively, he moved away from Bianca.

He hurried over and pulled me into his arms, one hand settling around my waist as he gently scolded me. "Serena… are you okay? Thank God you're home!"

I didn't push him away. I let him hold me and answered flatly, "Yeah, I'm home."

Alessio paused, clearly surprised by how calm I was.

He pulled back and looked me over anxiously. "Where were you last night? Your phone was off, and I couldn't get through. I was worried sick! I almost sent an entire fleet of cars up the mountain to look for you."

"The road was closed, so I found a motel and stayed there." I didn't feel like explaining myself, so I made up an excuse and stepped out of his arms.

My eyes drifted toward Bianca, who was still lying in bed.

She was tucked under my comforter, looking pale as she watched me nervously. "Donna Valenti, I'm so glad you're back. We've been so worried about you…"

I ignored her and headed for the walk-in closet. "I'm going to change."

Alessio followed me, his voice cautious and apologetic. "Tesoro, I'm sorry about yesterday. I know I was wrong, but Bianca had a high fever last night and needed an IV.

"The doctor said she could go into shock at any moment. I had to stay with her. I couldn't leave her alone… I swear it'll never happen again."

I said nothing and started changing out of my dirty clothes with my back to him. As I pulled them off, the deep gash on my leg came into view, the skin still torn around the wound.

I heard Alessio gasp behind me. He immediately grabbed my wrist, his voice full of concern. "What happened to your leg? You weren't hurt yesterday! Where did you really go last night?"

I pulled my hand away without answering.

He crouched in front of me and reached for the wound with trembling fingers, but I stepped back before he could touch it.

He looked up at me, his face full of regret.

"Serena, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I never should've left you out there alone. You wouldn't have gotten hurt if I'd stayed. I thought you…" He stopped himself. "Tell me what I can do to make it up to you. Anything you want, it's yours."

I looked down at him, finding the whole thing almost laughable.

Five years ago, he'd crouched in front of me just like this, bandaging my wounds while tears streamed down his face. Now he was doing the same thing, and he still looked genuinely upset.

But I couldn't tell how much of that concern was real and how much came from guilt, not that I cared anymore.

I turned away without a word and went straight to the study. The divorce papers I'd had prepared were still sitting in the safe.

After watching Alessio choose Bianca over me time and time again, I'd asked my lawyer to draw them up. I'd been waiting for this day ever since.

I tucked the divorce papers beneath a property transfer agreement, then took the documents back to the bedroom and held them out to Alessio.

"You said you would make it up to me, right?" I met his eyes. "Then sign these."

Alessio looked surprised that I was letting him off so easily. He visibly relaxed and took the papers with a relieved smile.

Without reading them properly, he flipped to the last page, signed his name, and handed them back.

I took the documents without looking at them. "Grazie."

Then I added, "I'm tired. I'm going to get some rest in the guest room."

He looked taken aback for a moment, but his gentle smile soon returned. "Of course. Get some sleep. I'll have the kitchen make your favorite dessert later. I'll bring it to you myself."

He was probably pleased that I'd given up the master bedroom without making a fuss.

I didn't answer. I went to the guest room and locked the door behind me.

Since the guest room connected to the study, I went through to the adjoining room.

Our wedding photo was still on the desk. It had been taken at the church where we'd gotten married.

Alessio was smiling warmly, and I was leaning against his shoulder, looking so happy.

I picked up the frame, undid the clips on the back, and took out the photo. On the back was a message he'd written all those years ago. It read, "Serena, you're the only woman I'll ever love."

I tore the photo into pieces and threw them in the trash. Then I took out my suitcase and packed the important things I'd kept in the safe.

I left behind the pearl necklace he'd spent a fortune on at an auction, along with the ring that had been passed down through his family for generations.

I didn't want either of them. I placed both pieces of jewelry on the desk beside the signed divorce papers.

Once I'd finished packing, I closed my suitcase and slipped out of the estate without anyone noticing. A car I'd arranged earlier was waiting outside to take me to the airport.

When I reached the VIP lounge, I dialed a number. The call was answered almost immediately.

"Serena, are you happy with the arrangements? I'll pick you up myself when you land."

Just then, the boarding announcement came over the speakers. I hung up without answering, removed the SIM card from my phone, and dropped it into a trash can.

Then I turned and headed straight for security.