Chapter 4

It seemed Vincent was afraid Alessia might change her mind and leave. He immediately ordered the staff to move her luggage into the largest guest suite.

Bianca didn’t even try to hide her satisfaction.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Dinner doesn’t cook itself. And don’t forget—Alessia can’t eat anything spicy. Keep it mild.”

The words landed like routine. After all, I had always been the one in the kitchen. Not because anyone forced me, but because I wanted this house to feel like a home. I had once believed if I filled it with warmth—the smell of fresh bread, the comfort of hot soup—it would soften Vincent’s silences, bridge the distance between us.

But somewhere along the years, my love had become their habit. Vincent ate without comment, Bianca criticized without hesitation, and the staff all left early, certain I would take care of it. My devotion had turned invisible.

And tonight, for the first time, I shook my head.

“I can’t.”

The air in the room stilled. Vincent’s brows furrowed as if he hadn’t heard me right. In his memory, I had never said no.

Before he could speak, Alessia let out a small gasp, her eyes shimmering.

“This is my fault. I shouldn’t have intruded. I can’t expect Miss Harlow to take care of me.”

She made a motion as if to retreat upstairs. Vincent’s hand shot out, catching her wrist.

“It’s not about you.”

Then his gaze swung back to me, sharp, questioning.

“You said you weren’t upset. So what is this?”

Silently, I raised my hand. Both fingers wrapped in clean white bandages.

“I burned myself. I can’t cook for a while.”

The lie was simple, but the decision beneath it was not. I wasn’t burned—I was tired. My contract with this house, this life, was almost over. I was done trying to earn their appreciation with meals no one tasted.

The silence that followed was heavy. Bianca frowned.

“You could have told us earlier. What, you expect us to starve now?”

Her irritation was sharp, but Alessia laid a gentle hand on her arm.

“Don’t be harsh, Bianca. Vincent…” Her voice softened, lilting with nostalgia. “Do you remember that tiny Swiss bistro near campus? The one with the fondue? We used to sneak there after study hours, remember? You ordered extra bread every time.”

She laughed lightly, her lashes lowering as though caught in memory.

Vincent’s expression softened instantly, and he gave a rare smile.

“Of course. I’ll take you there.”

Her timing was perfect. I stood forgotten, a shadow among them.

On the drive over, they filled the car with memories I could never share. Alessia leaned close, fixing Vincent’s cuff with the easy familiarity of someone who once belonged at his side. Bianca added her laughter, a bright echo in the confined space.

I sat by the window, watching the city blur past. Their world felt sealed behind glass, warm and unreachable.

At one point, Alessia turned to me with a sweet, apologetic smile.

“Sorry, Miss Valentina. We’re not leaving you out on purpose. It’s just… you weren’t there for those years.”

Not just the past. I wouldn’t be in their future either.

I gave a small nod and leaned back. Vincent caught my reflection in the rearview mirror, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes. Perhaps, for the first time, he realized I wasn’t clinging anymore.

At the restaurant, I excused myself to the restroom. Cold water splashed against my skin, chasing away the heat that pressed behind my eyes.

Five years of marriage. Five years of cooking, tending, loving. I had poured myself into this house until I was hollow. Alessia glowed with vitality, Bianca with confidence. And me? I looked like a ghost—present, yet unseen.

When I returned, the table was already covered in plates. Vincent was giving instructions to the waiter.

“No garlic, please. Alessia doesn’t like it.”

He remembered her every detail. Even now.

Then, almost as if he remembered I existed, his gaze flicked to me.

“And you? Anything you don’t eat?”

The first time in five years he’d ever asked.

“Seafood,” I said simply, my voice even.

The meal began. Vincent hardly touched his own plate, busy instead with dipping bread into the bubbling cheese and placing it carefully in front of Alessia. Their hands brushed, her laugh was soft, his eyes gentle.

I ate quietly, each bite turning to ash in my mouth.

And then chaos. A fight broke out at the next table—shouts, shoving, a flash of movement. A man seized the steel pot of fondue.

In an instant, it tipped. Boiling cheese cascaded forward.

Vincent moved at once, shielding Alessia in his arms.

And me?

I didn’t even have time to move.

The scalding flood crashed down on me.