Chapter 2

I was stunned for a moment.

I was only sixteen when I received that ring.

The sun was shining beautifully that day. Lorenzo had come to find me in a mysterious mood and, as soon as we met, slipped the ring onto my finger.

The ring sparkled all over—it was made of blue diamonds.

I panicked and tried to take it off, but he grabbed my wrist firmly.

"This is the Cammarata family heirloom. Take it!"

The dappled shadows of the trees danced around us, his smile even more dazzling than the sunlight.

Later I found out that his mother had beaten him badly for stealing the ring.

But Lorenzo had declared righteously, "I'm never marrying anyone but Selena. Giving her the ring early or late doesn't matter!"

In the blink of an eye, I had worn that ring for seven full years.

It had slowly become a part of my life, just like Lorenzo himself.

Seeing that I remained silent for a long time, Lorenzo thought I was unwilling to give it up.

Just as he was about to speak, Lena, standing beside him, took his arm first and said softly, "Forget it. Selena has worn it for so long after all."

Lorenzo immediately retorted, "No matter how long she's worn it, it's still my family's possession! I told you I'd let you try it on, and I will."

So it was for Lena's sake that he had come to ask for it.

I understood. I reached out, took off the ring, and handed it over. "Here you go."

Lorenzo froze for a second, as if he hadn't expected me to be so straightforward. A flicker of surprise and uncertainty crossed his face.

I said indifferently, "You're right. It's your family's thing after all. Since I'm not marrying you, it really doesn't suit me to wear it anymore."

Now Lorenzo looked somewhat uncomfortable.

He took the ring and said, "Then… on our wedding day, I'll put it on you with my own hands, alright?"

Hearing this, Lena's eyes flashed with jealousy.

I watched Lorenzo prepare to leave with Lena, then called out to him.

"Lorenzo, now that I've returned your ring, what about the pocket watch I gave you?"

He stopped in his tracks and stared at me in disbelief.

"You want me to give back your token of love? Selena, are you saying you don't want to marry me anymore?"

At that moment, I nearly blurted out a retort—who was the one who didn't want to marry?

I took a few seconds to calm myself. I still wanted to preserve the last shred of my dignity—I didn't want to beg for his love like a scorned woman.

"I just think that watch doesn't suit you anymore," I explained casually.

He laughed, yanked the watch off, and tossed it to me.

"You're right. I've wanted to say that for a long time. That watch is tacky and old-fashioned. Who even wears a watch nowadays?"

"It's not nearly as useful as the cufflinks Lena gave me. Well, next time, remember to give me something better."

With that, he took Lena's hand and turned away.

I didn't chase after him.

I just gently ran my finger over the crack on the watch—a bullet mark.

Back then, after he received that watch, he treasured it dearly and always kept it over his heart.

Later, during a gang war, a bullet shot straight toward his chest. Everyone thought Lorenzo would at least be seriously wounded, if not killed.

But slowly, he pulled the still-warm watch from his chest.

That watch had stopped the bullet and saved his life.

Later, he knelt before me and said, "Selena, without you, I'd be dead. I will never, ever let you down!"

We were so close back then.

But now, even the way he addressed me had become distant.

"Miss Selena."

The maid's worried voice pulled me back from my memories.

I handed her the watch. "Sell it. Just make sure I never see it again."

After that day, Lorenzo never came to see me again.

And there were only four days left until Enzo's and my wedding.