Chapter 3

Cecilia Marino's POV

Antonio had betrayed my trust, and with it, he had trampled over every ounce of love I had ever given him. My disappointment had finally reached its breaking point.

To hell with the 52nd wedding.

The moment I got home, I started packing. Antonio blew up my phone while I was at it, but I ignored every single call.

Before long, he came back.

"Cecilia, why did you leave early? You haven't been picking up your phone…"

He froze at the sight of the suitcase on the floor. "Why are you packing? Are you going somewhere?"

I didn't want to talk to him. I kept my eyes down and continued folding my clothes.

I had never been this cold toward him before, and my silence was clearly starting to get under his skin.

"I bought you a gown and took you to the art exhibition. Are we still stuck on what happened yesterday? Cecilia, why are you being so willful?"

I snapped the suitcase shut and stood up to face him.

"Took me to the exhibition? Is that what you call it? Making me stand there while you and Rosetta stroll through the gallery like a happy couple?"

Antonio frowned. "I've already explained myself. Is it really that hard to get through your head?"

I stared at him, floored by his audacity.

Did he really want me to spell it out? Did he want me to say I knew he was already another woman's husband?

I forced myself to take a steady breath and crouched back down to finish packing. My voice was hollow, stripped of emotion. "Aunt Sofia is sick. She wants me to stay with her for a few days."

His expression eased slightly, though a trace of suspicion still lingered.

"What about our 52nd wedding?"

I looked at him, grief settling heavy over my features. "Would you even care, Antonio?"

The words seemed to sting. He stepped forward and reached for my hand, but I took a step back.

"Cecilia, what has gotten into you today?"

I shook my head, my voice dripping with a forced, bitter lightness. "Nothing. It's just that you run off to Rosetta during every single one of our weddings. Anyone who didn't know better might think you two were already married."

Antonio blanched. "Ceci, has someone been talking to you?"

I wanted to give him one last chance. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

I watched him, a desperate, final sliver of hope still clinging to my heart.

But in the end, Antonio just gritted his teeth. "Cecilia, you know you're the only one for me. You're the only woman I'm ever going to marry."

That was the moment all hope was lost. I had never felt such profound disappointment.

I walked into the study, intending to take the keepsake my Papa had left me. But when I pulled the drawer open, it was empty.

I stormed out and shoved the door open. "Antonio, where's the pocket watch?"

"What pocket watch?"

"My Papa's keepsake. The one that was always in that drawer!"

He froze, looking caught off guard. "I don't know. I never touch the things in your study."

A sudden realization chilled my voice. "Has Rosetta been in here?"

He went silent.

"I asked you—was she in here?"

"Cecilia, she was just helping me fetch some files—"

"How could you let her take my things! That was the only thing my Papa left me!"

I was on the verge of losing control.

Antonio immediately walked over and grabbed my hand, his voice tight with a frantic explanation. "I didn't know she took the watch. Cecilia, you have to believe me. I'll… I'll have her bring it back right now!"

"Don't bother."

I turned away, my gaze turning to ice. "I'll get it back myself."

…

Rosetta was in the garden sipping espresso, the diamond ring on her finger gleaming brilliantly.

She didn't even bother to stand when she saw me. "Ms. Marino. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"The watch. Give it back."

She set down her porcelain cup with agonizing slowness. "Oh, that old piece of junk."

She pulled the watch out, dangling it carelessly from her fingertips. "Sure. Get on your knees and beg me."

The shadows of gardeners passed by outside the window.

With stinging eyes, I sank to my knees.

She laughed, just loud enough for only me to hear. "Antonio was right. You'll endure any humiliation just to stay by his side. Three years, 51 weddings… Everyone in Itavia thinks you're a joke.

"Oh, you probably didn't know—Antonio and I are already married," she taunted, toying with the diamond ring.

"Antonio put this on my finger himself right after we signed the marriage certificate. And you? Three years with him? 51 weddings planned, and not a single one made it to the altar?"

She scoffed, "You know, it took Antonio less than two hours from the moment he decided to marry me to make it official. You're nothing but a clown, Cecilia."

A sharp, searing pain pierced my chest. I fought to block out her words and reached for the watch. "Give it back."

Rosetta looked at me with pure disdain. Then, without warning, she flung the watch into the nearby fountain. "Only a low-life like you would care about worthless junk like that. Go ahead! Jump in and fish it out!"

In an instant, fury seized me. I grabbed her by the hair and slapped her across the face with everything I had.

Rosetta let out a piercing shriek, clutching her cheek.

Just as I was about to land a second slap, Antonio appeared out of nowhere. He shoved me aside violently and pulled the sobbing Rosetta into his arms.

"Cecilia Marino! Don't you know Rosetta is pregnant? How could you lay a hand on her?"

I was shaking with rage. "She threw my Papa's keepsake into the fountain—"

Rosetta cut me off, her voice choked with tears. "I was trying to give it back. It just slipped out of my hand. Antonio, doesn't the Bianco heir I'm carrying matter more than some old watch?"

Antonio roared at me. "Cecilia, apologize to her!"

"Never!" I roared back.

Rosetta trembled in his arms. "She even tried to force me to jump into the fountain to get it for her."

Before I could even protest, Antonio's hand swung out and slapped me.

I stood there, frozen in place.

"Now! Apologize to Rosetta! Or you can get the hell out of the Bianco villa!" Antonio barked, his eyes cold as ice.

I stared at him, my hand pressed to my burning cheek, feeling the very last ember in my heart go dark.

I didn't apologize. I simply turned and walked away.

By the time I reached the main gates of the Bianco villa with my suitcase, a message from Antonio lit up my phone.

"Rosetta is shaken up and needs care. Our wedding is postponed."

I let out a quiet laugh.

Postponed?

I didn't reply. I just dropped a text to Kyle saying I was on my way and switched my phone off.

Antonio, there was no wedding for us. Not anymore.