Chapter 9

After she hung up, she changed out of her hospital gown and went to the courthouse alone to collect the sealed divorce judgment.

She had just walked out when her law firm partner called her.

“Alicia, something has come up. The Rondon office has an urgent cross-border case. They need a senior lawyer who can take charge. The board specifically asked for you. If you still have personal matters to handle in New Yorke, we can give you some time.”

Alicia looked at the freshly issued divorce judgment in her hand and said calmly, “Richard, I can go. You don’t need to worry about Matteo. We’re divorced.”

There was a brief pause on the other end.

Richard Wallace quickly regained his composure. He did not ask about her personal life. “Alright, it’s settled. When can you leave?”

Alicia raised her hand and checked her watch. Her voice was clear and firm. “Now.”

She went back to the villa and started packing her things.

She did not have much. A single twenty-eight-inch suitcase could hold almost everything that belonged to her.

She pulled the suitcase into the living room and ran straight into Matteo, who had just returned.

Matteo saw the suitcase in her hand and paused. He frowned. “Alicia, what are you doing?”

“A business trip,” Alicia said briskly.

Matteo seemed to relax. That lazy, affectionate look returned to his face.

He stepped forward and tried to hug her, but she took a step back and avoided him.

His hand stopped midair. Then, he gave her a helpless smile. His voice carried a trace of lingering affection. “Another trip? When will you be back? I’ll pick you up.”

Alicia looked at him. Her gaze was as calm as still water. “I’ll let you know.”

Matteo noticed the black square box she had been holding tightly in her arms. It was wrapped delicately.

He asked with some curiosity, “Alicia, what are you holding?”

Alicia lowered her eyes to the box and said lightly, “Oh, this? It’s a gift I prepared especially for you. I was going to mail it to you. Since we ran into each other here, I’ll give it to you now.”

Matteo looked surprised. He seemed a little flattered. “It’s not a special occasion. Why did you prepare a gift…”

He reached out and took it. He was about to open it when the phone in his pocket started vibrating at the worst possible moment.

He took out his phone and glanced at the screen. His expression shifted. Then, he gave Alicia an apologetic look and pointed to the phone.

“Something urgent came up with the family. I need to handle it right away. I’ll look at the gift later. I’ll keep it safe.”

He set the black box down on the entryway cabinet. His eyes were already back on his phone.

Alicia said nothing. She only gave him a faint nod.

At the villa entrance, they walked in opposite directions and got into their own cars.

The engines started. Alicia rolled down the window. She looked at Matteo, who was sitting in his sports car, and said calmly, “Goodbye, Matteo.”

Matteo smiled and waved at her. “Goodbye, Alicia. Come back soon!”

The two cars drove off in opposite directions and headed toward different futures.

A week later, Matteo woke up in the large bed at Sophia’s apartment. The woman beside him slept peacefully.

Even after satisfying himself, a strange emptiness settled in his chest.

He checked the time. Alicia usually returned after about a week on business trips. This time, she had not called him to pick her up. She had not even sent a message to say she was safe.

He picked up his phone and called Alicia.

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off…”

A cold, robotic female voice came through the receiver.

Matteo frowned. Irritation stirred in him. Had she come back early and was giving him the silent treatment?

He drove straight back to the villa he shared with Alicia.

He pushed the door open. The house was silent. The air carried a cold, empty stillness, as if no one had lived there for a long time.

“Alicia? Alicia?” he called out, but no one answered.

A feeling of dread quietly wrapped around his heart like twisting vines.

He paced the living room anxiously. Then his eyes landed on the black box in the entryway cabinet. It was forgotten and covered with a thin layer of dust.

It was the gift Alicia had prepared for him before she left.

He walked over and picked up the box.

It felt a little heavy.

He remembered her calm eyes that day and the way she had said goodbye. The unease in his chest grew stronger.

He took a deep breath, tore off the wrapping paper, and opened the lid.

The two items inside came clearly into view.