Chapter 2

The bodyguards finally rushed over and closed in around Matteo and Vera, protecting them. The thugs shrank back in fear, and the onlookers stumbled a few steps away in a panic.

I was dazed. Someone bumped into me, and I went down hard. A sharp, searing pain shot through my knees and elbows.

The thugs were driven off to the side, but they still had the nerve to shout, "That woman owes us money! No matter who you are, you can't stop us from collecting our debt!"

Without missing a beat, Matteo snapped back, "How much does she owe you? I'll settle it for her. Now, get the hell out of here!"

Then, he scooped Vera into his arms and walked off with her. The car door slammed shut with a heavy thud that landed right on my heart. He left me there as if I were just some irrelevant stranger.

The crowd slowly dispersed until I was the only idiot still sitting on the sidewalk. I had no idea how long I stayed like that before I finally forced myself to my feet, my whole body trembling.

My palms were swollen and bleeding; every tiny movement sent a spike of pain shooting through them. However, the ache in my body couldn't drown out the hurt in my chest.

"This is enough," I whispered to myself.

Step by step, I dragged myself away. When I passed a trash can, I pulled the wedding band off my finger and tossed it in without hesitation. The ten-carat diamond ring hit the bottom of the bin with a clear, crisp clink, like it was bidding me farewell.

Everything was over. Nothing could salvage this relationship.

…

I sat on a cold, hard bench in the ER, my face drained of color. Across from me, outside the VIP area, a crowd had gathered. The people whispered among themselves.

"They say that Don Costa's people are in there."

"It's probably the Donna. He's so worked up over her when she isn't even injured. He made the hospital call in every doctor to check her over."

"Classic hero-saves-damsel moment. Didn't you see the gash on his head? That cut was huge, yet he didn't even make a sound!"

My feet carried me almost against my will to a stop outside the VIP area. My eyes went straight to Matteo, who lay on a hospital bed. Thick layers of gauze were wrapped around his head as he spoke gently, comforting Vera, who was sobbing.

"I'm fine. The doctor has already patched me up. I'm more worried about you, you know. You have to cooperate with the doctors for your exam later, okay?"

Vera hiccuped through her tears, her eyes as red as a rabbit's. "You wouldn't have gotten hurt if you hadn't tried to protect me…"

She shook all over, her voice soft and fragile. She looked absolutely pitiful.

Matteo's mother, Patrizia Morelli, sat by the bed. Her eyes were red-rimmed as she said to Vera, "Back then, after your father left you with all that debt, you chose to go overseas and work yourself to the bone to pay it off instead of telling us.

"That kind of money is nothing to Matteo. Why didn't you come to us for help? If we hadn't happened to see you being chased down for money, how much longer were you planning to keep this from us?"

Matteo's father, Giovanni Costa, sighed. "Exactly. If you hadn't suddenly left the country, Matteo never would've married that useless woman."

Vera said gratefully, "I really don't know what I would've done, if not for your help. Still, Alessia is Matteo's wife. If she finds out he got hurt because of me, she's going to hate me."

Matteo sighed heavily. "This isn't your fault, Vera."

Patrizia hurried to comfort her, too. "Matteo chose to save you. He made that decision. You can't blame yourself for that."

I stood at the doorway, watching them quietly, huddled together like one big happy family.

Throughout four years of marriage, I'd taken care of every part of Matteo's daily life without a single complaint. His stomach was weak, so I got up at the crack of dawn every day to make him mild and nutritious meals.

I'd always known that Giovanni and Patrizia didn't like me, but I'd never once complained to Matteo about it. Even when they treated me with cold indifference, I kept a smile on my face.

Now, I finally knew the reason behind their attitudes—Vera was the daughter-in-law they approved of.

Four years of holding on suddenly looked ridiculous in the face of the truth.

The realization made something that was strung tight within me snap. This mismatched marriage of ours… It was time to end it.