Chapter 3

The next day, I pulled out a suitcase and began packing my things.

Rossi had bought this villa specifically for our marriage. After moving in, I'd decorated it with all kinds of things, full of hope for the future we would share.

Matching mugs, slippers, throw pillows for the sofa...

Little by little, I turned this house into the home I'd always imagined. Now, I had to dismantle it all with my own hands.

I was putting the gemstone necklace Rossi had given me into a box of items to donate when I suddenly received several photos.

Every one of them showed Rossi and Ava in intimate poses from when they'd been together.

The latest photo had clearly been taken in Aurorheim. Ava was proudly showing off the ring on her finger to the camera while Rossi stood behind her, gazing at her with indulgent affection.

[So what if he marries you? I'll always be the one he loves most.]

[Staying by his side will only humiliate you. If you're smart, you'll leave him on your own.]

I realized the account belonged to Ava personally.

I didn't respond. I simply blocked her.

But Ava was determined to make me see everything for myself. Soon, I came across a new video on the social media.

Once again, Rossi and Ava were the stars. They stood before a priest, gazing into each other's eyes with deep affection.

With the priest as their witness, they exchanged vows and promised to remain faithful to each other for the rest of their lives.

At the end, Rossi said with helpless affection, "You managed to exchange vows with me before Emily did. Happy now?"

"What's so special about that?" Ava pouted playfully. "I'd only be truly happy if you replaced your bride with me on your actual wedding day."

"You're greedy." Rossi pretended to scold her, giving her forehead a light push before smiling.

"Emily wasn't as lucky as you. Before I proposed, I already knew she wanted to accept my proposal beneath the Northern Lights. I never took her there, but I'm willing to exchange vows with you beneath them. So stop giving me a hard time."

The video abruptly ended.

It felt as though the icy cold of Aurorheim had traveled through my phone and settled over my body. I sat motionless in the distance, frozen and numb, unable to move for a long time.

So Rossi had known everything all along. He'd simply been unwilling to do those things for me.

I wanted to reopen the video and watch it again, just so I could remember exactly how I felt in that moment.

But it had already been deleted.

Then Rossi suddenly requested a video call with me.

"Emily?" On the other end of the screen, Rossi studied my expression, apparently trying to determine whether I'd seen the video.

"How come you haven't messaged me today?" he asked, testing the waters.

"I've had a lot to deal with today, so I haven't had time to message you," I answered calmly.

"I see." Rossi blinked at me, looking almost pitiful. "I've been waiting for your messages. I thought you were still upset because I couldn't get back in time."

"I'm not." I shook my head. Now that I had decided to leave, I had no reason to get angry over these things anymore.

Rossi looked as though he'd finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's that?" Then his gaze shifted to the suitcase behind me. "Are you packing? Where are you going?"

I kept my composure. "Don't overthink it. I'm just sorting out the clothes I don't wear often so I can throw them away. I was afraid I'd have trouble carrying everything, so I decided to put them in a suitcase."

Rossi eyed me suspiciously. "You're not lying to me?"

I smiled as I answered, "Of course not. We're getting married soon. Why would I leave?"

Those words immediately put Rossi at ease. He stopped questioning me. "All right. Get some rest early, and don't overwork yourself. Wait for me to come home."

"Sure." I smiled and nodded. Only after the call ended did the smile slowly disappear from my face.