Chapter 4

Over the next day, I dropped off the things at a donation center and began packing the rest of my belongings.

Anything I could take with me, I shipped to my new address. Everything else, I simply threw away.

Once every trace of me had been cleared from the house, I finally felt a sense of relief.

On the morning of the third day, I was dragging my suitcase toward the door, ready to leave, when Rossi returned.

He stood in the doorway wearing a black overcoat that seemed to carry the wind and snow of Aurorheim with it, making him look exceptionally imposing and cold.

An alarm went off in my head. Instinctively, I hid my suitcase behind me.

Before I could figure out what to say, Rossi suddenly pulled me into his arms.

I was just about to struggle when his voice drifted down from above me.

"Don't move. Let me hold you for a moment."

The gentle, wistful tone in his voice made me lose focus for a brief moment, but I quickly pulled myself out of his embrace.

"Why are you back?"

Rossi's expression shifted slightly. His emerald-green eyes took on a wounded look. "Emily, don't you miss me?"

He eagerly took my hand. "I've already rebooked our honeymoon and rescheduled the wedding. Once I've taken care of things with Ava, we can have the wedding again right away. How does that sound?"

Wait. Again, he was asking me to wait.

I let out a cold, cynical laugh to myself. I was sick of that word.

Rossi remained completely oblivious. He took a diamond ring from his pocket and presented it to me as though he were showing off a prized treasure.

"Look, I've even prepared a diamond ring for you. It’s pink—your favorite color—and it’s ten carats. Emily, I love you." He looked at me with genuine tenderness, his voice full of sincerity.

I lowered my eyes to the ring. Even though I'd already lost faith in Rossi, I still felt a pang of sadness. In his heart, Ava was probably the woman he truly considered his wife.

"Emily, why aren't you taking it?" Rossi asked.

I wanted to refuse, but I was afraid he'd notice something was wrong. I had no choice but to reach out for it.

Rossi chuckled and slipped the diamond ring onto my finger himself. "I've already made a reservation at a restaurant. Come on, let's go out to dinner."

"No..."

I had barely begun to refuse when Rossi's phone rang. As expected, it was Ava.

Rossi glanced at me instinctively, but in the end, he chose to answer.

Ava's panicked voice came through the phone. "Rossi, where are you? Someone's following me. I'm so scared."

Rossi immediately turned toward the door. "Don't be afraid. I'll be right there."

He took two steps before remembering something and turning back to explain. "Ava's in danger. I need to go deal with it right away. Wait for me at home."

At his words, I felt more relieved than I ever had before.

"Okay. Go ahead."

Rossi nodded and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped again.

"Why did you agree so quickly?" He looked at me, confusion filling his emerald-green eyes. "Emily, you always tried to stop me whenever I went to see Ava. And you don't even seem happy that I'm back today.

"Emily, something's wrong. What's going on?"

It was because I used to love him that I felt possessive of him and had expectations for our relationship.

I had tried again and again to stop Rossi, hoping I could put an end to his contact with Ava, only to be disappointed every time.

But from now on, I would never stand in their way again.

I forced a smile and said, "Because I trust you. I'm willing to give you time to sort out your relationship with her."

Rossi's expression softened. "Really?"

I nodded. "Of course. Hurry up and go see Ava. She needs you right now."

Perhaps my acting was convincing enough, or perhaps Rossi's attention was already entirely focused on Ava. Either way, he stopped questioning me and hurried out of the house.

Soon, I heard an engine roar to life as Rossi drove his sports car away from the villa.

I stood where I was for a moment, waiting in silence. Then I placed the villa keys and the diamond ring he'd just given me on the entryway table.

Before leaving, I turned back for one last look at the villa.

Goodbye, Rossi.