Chapter 3

Lucio's pupils contracted sharply, as if he did not understand my words.

"What did you just say?"

"Divorce. Burn the marriage contract," My voice was calm, "it's over between us."

Behind him, Camilla's lips twitched upward before she quickly schooled her expression.

"Ada must be upset," she said sweetly, "she doesn't really want to leave the family."

Lucio blinked back to himself, wearing that distant, puzzled expression he had adopted since his memory loss.

"Divorce? But, I thought Camilla was my wife."

I did not bother playing along with his act.

Turning on my heel, I headed for the family council chamber.

Behind me, Camilla tugged at Lucio's arm, whispering urgently as they followed.

Inside, the old priest was already waiting with the marriage contract and the seal, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"Ada, are you sure about this?" Lucio frowned, "As long as you take Camilla's place on the front lines, I'll let you stay."

"I'm sure," I replied evenly.

He was silent for a moment, then softened his tone.

"I just remembered something. Our wedding day, you were in a white gown, standing in the church, sunlight falling on you."

I looked up at him, smiling faintly.

"Yes. And that day, you were two hours late. Everyone thought you'd run away."

Lucio froze.

"You finally showed up, said, Sorry, I got held up, and didn't even bother to explain," I said flatly. "But I still married you. Because back then, I thought that was just how your family's rules worked."

His brow furrowed. He did not expect that response.

Camilla tugged at his sleeve, murmuring, "Lucio, she doesn't care at all about the pain you're in from losing your memory."

He glanced at her, then suddenly slipped an arm around her waist, raising his voice deliberately.

"That's right. A woman this heartless toward her husband, I wouldn't have liked her even without the memory loss."

"Heartless?" I gave a cold laugh, watching his face darken, "I thought you said she was your wife. Why do you suddenly expect me to be understanding?"

The priest gave a loud cough, his gaze sliding away.

"Burn it," I told him, not sparing either of them another look.

The parchment curled and blackened in the flames, crumbling into ash.

Camilla leaned into Lucio's arms, her voice dripping with false concern. "Ada, where will you stay tonight?"

"In my room," I said.

She blinked innocently. "But that bedroom's mine now."

I nodded. "Alright. Then I'll pack my things."

Lucio followed close behind, his voice ice-cold. "You can leave, but you're not taking a single thing from the family."

I ignored him and walked into what was once my bedroom.

The space was already remade.

My vanity was replaced with Camilla's perfume rack, and my wardrobe stuffed with her dresses.

The wedding photo that once sat on the nightstand was now a framed picture of her and Lucio.

I pulled out my suitcase and began packing.

Lucio lingered in the doorway, his gaze sweeping the room until it landed on the desk.

There, half-hidden in the corner, was an old photo of the two of us: left carelessly by Camilla.

He walked over, picked it up, his eyes flickering. "This was in Exily," he said quietly.

"Mhm. The day you left me waiting at the docks for three hours because you were helping Camilla shop for dresses."

His head snapped up. "I remember that."

"Do you?" I closed my suitcase and stood, "Then do you also remember that when you came back that night, I was burning with a high fever, and you just had the butler bring me two fever pills?"

His fingers tightened around the photo, creasing its edges.

"Ada-" His voice dropped low, as if offering me one last chance, "I remember a little. We could start over."

"No," I cut him off, picking up my suitcase, "Lucio, when you decided to fake amnesia, you should have been ready for me to leave."

He grabbed my wrist, the flicker of guilt in his eyes hardening into fury.

"And what gives you the right to assume I'm faking? Where would you even go without me? Don't forget that the Bianchi family's armory keys are still in my hands!"

I pulled my hand free.

Camilla came running in, barely hiding her excitement. "Lucio! Good news! The Della Veras just responded!"

Lucio's head snapped toward her. "What did Massimo say?"

She shot me a provocative glance, then beamed.

"Mr. Della Vera may be a little eccentric, but he was very polite to me. We just have to wait a few days to sign the deal."

Lucio's tense expression eased instantly.

He turned to me with a smug look. "You hear that, Ada? I don't need you for this. Camilla's more capable than you ever were."

Camilla clung to him, a victor's smile on her face, mouthing silently at me: "Loser."

I looked at the two of them, drowning in their false triumph, and smiled.

Of course, they didn't know that the badge Massimo gave me was the real key to the deal.

"That's great," I said calmly, pulling my suitcase handle, "I wish you both the best."

Lucio was certain I was bluffing. He gave a short, derisive laugh and tightened his hold on Camilla.

"Drop the act. I know you're losing your mind with regret. But hear me-" His voice rose, brimming with arrogant certainty. "Without the Rossi family, you are nothing. You'll come crawling back to me soon enough."

I waved a hand dismissively, leaving them behind without a backward glance, and walked out.