Chapter 3

I handled the discharge procedures by myself, and as I walked out of the hospital, a long line of black luxury cars was parked at the entrance, and Mamma, Papa, and Cristiano, as well as a dozen or so bodyguards, were all gathered on the other side.

Nina was at the center of everyone's attention, closely guarded. Mamma was adjusting her scarf, Papa was holding the car door open for her, and Cristiano stood right by her side, listening patiently to whatever she was saying.

In the end, no one noticed that I had checked out of the hospital, and no one bothered to ask how I was feeling. I dragged my suitcase along and left the premises from the opposite side.

I returned to the estate, only to find that the entire place was deathly quiet. I walked into my bedroom and began packing up my belongings.

I noticed that my closet was filled with gowns Cristiano had sent over, and the jewelry case was filled with countless pieces. Tucked away at the very back was the first necklace he had ever given me.

I was 18 when I first accompanied him to a Famiglia banquet. Someone openly mocked me for being a nobody clinging to the Gallo Famiglia, and Cristiano had his men throw them out of the venue.

He fastened the necklace around my neck once we returned home and said, "I won't allow anyone to bully you as long as I'm by your side, Patrizia."

I couldn't say exactly when it started, but the person who once stood by my side gradually shifted to Nina's side.

There was also a diamond ring sitting in the case. It was the very one Cristiano had slid on my finger when he proposed to me.

It was three days ago when the skies over Norelia were ablaze with fireworks for a grand proposal witnessed by thousands. They all looked at me with envy, convinced that the role of the Gallo Famiglia's future Donna was rightfully mine.

However, I was the only one who knew the truth. I was forever fated to be one step short of that position.

In my past life, during my first wedding, Nina had a medical emergency, and Cristiano left me behind to rush to the hospital. Nina cried about feeling insecure during our second wedding, so Cristiano stayed by her side for the entire month.

It was the same pattern during my third and fourth weddings—until I eventually died in a hospital bed without ever becoming his bride.

It was then that my phone suddenly buzzed with a message from Nina. She sent a bunch of photos—one showed Cristiano kneeling on the beach to tie her shoelaces, and the others showed Cristiano cutting up her steak for her, draping a jacket over her, and even patiently getting her to take her medicine.

Cristiano was meticulous and gentle in every single frame. He was usually so distant and proud, yet he possessed such a gentle expression in those photos.

Nina sent another message right after. "Did you see that, Patrizia? I'm the one Cristiano actually loves. You know, all it takes is one word from me, and he'll call off the wedding. He will never marry you unless I allow it, Patrizia."

I stared at the screen for a long time without replying, knowing that Nina was completely right about the whole thing. In my past life, right up until the moment I died, the wedding that was meant to be mine never actually came.

I set my phone down gently and went back to packing my belongings.

It was the following day when I went to a law firm to sign the asset transfer agreement and close most of my personal accounts. I left for the airport early on the morning of the third day.

In the meantime, the entire Gallo Famiglia was bustling with activity. There were flowers blanketing the church at the wedding venue as guests arrived in succession, all of them waiting to see the future Donna of the Gallo Famiglia.

I stood in the international departure hall, staring at the ticket in my hand, while Professor Pellegrini waved at me from a short distance away. "Is all your paperwork done?"

I nodded in assent.

It was then that my phone rang—Cristiano was calling. I fell silent for a moment before answering. I could hear the ocean waves and Nina's faint laughter in the background.

Cristiano sounded exhausted as he said, "Nina suddenly had an episode last night, so I can't make it back for the time being, Patrizia. I'll have to postpone the wedding for a few days, so just sit tight and wait for me. I'll definitely make this up to you once I'm back."

In my past life, I stood entirely alone at the altar, enduring the judgmental stares of all the guests. That groomless wedding was a disaster, turning me into a total laughingstock in Norelia.

They didn't feel sorry for me, though. Mamma and Papa even scolded me for being dramatic. "It's only a postponed wedding. Nina's health is more important than a mere ceremony. You're being way too selfish, Patrizia!"

I felt grateful to leave everything behind early in this life. I simply murmured my agreement, hung up, and took out the SIM card. I snapped it in half, tossed it into a nearby trash can, and walked toward the boarding gate as it slowly opened. I pulled my suitcase and firmly walked away.

I wasn't going to stand around waiting in this life, nor was I going to look back again.