Chapter 22

The wedding was over.

Without celebration.

Without any remaining happiness.

As if everything had ended just like that—dry, cold, and hollow.

Charlie now seemed much calmer after Adrian comforted her. At least, that was how she appeared on the surface.

Livia stood for a moment, then prepared to leave with her husband, walking away from that place.

But before her steps could truly take her away—

“Livia.”

The voice stopped her.

She turned.

Ronald stood there, looking at her.

There was no happiness on Livia’s face.

But neither was there any panic.

She looked calm.

Too calm.

As if what had just happened was not something heavy enough to break her.

Or perhaps—

she had already learned to accept everything.

“You are now married to Adrian,” Ronald said firmly. “That means you are his wife. I want you to be a good wife—obedient and follow all your husband’s commands.”

Livia looked at him for a long time.

“Do you think obeying like a servant… and continuing to devote yourself without ever being valued is what it means to be a good wife?”

Ronald fell silent.

The question sounded simple, yet it struck precisely.

Because that was exactly what he had always done to Rossa.

Demanding obedience without giving appreciation.

Expecting devotion without giving anything in return.

Even his own child—

he had never truly acknowledged her.

Ronald was about to speak, but Livia cut him off first.

“There is no need to explain,” she said softly, with a faint smile that was difficult to read. “I already understand what kind of ‘wife’ you mean.”

Her gaze remained steady.

“Even when you hit her… you think it is your right as a husband.”

A brief silence followed.

“And a wife’s rights?”

Livia let out a soft chuckle.

“To serve. Nothing more.”

Ronald looked uncomfortable.

Those words were too honest for him to deny.

“Livia. Come with me.”

Adrian’s voice sounded flat.

He did not even look at his wife.

Beside him, Charlie stood with a face full of sorrow—fragile, yet somehow too perfect.

Livia did not answer.

But she stepped forward.

That was already enough of an answer.

“I’ll take my leave.”

That was all Adrian said before taking Livia away.

Livia’s steps paused for a moment when her eyes met Charlie’s.

Charlie looked back at her.

Behind that sorrowful face—

there was something else.

Satisfaction.

The certainty that everything had gone according to her plan.

That Livia would suffer… more than before.

“Thank you,” Livia said softly, with a faint smile that was hard to read. “For giving him to me.”

Then she turned.

And left.

As soon as she stepped out of the church doors—

Livia saw her.

Rossa.

Still standing there.

Waiting.

Her appearance was heartbreaking.

A biological mother—

yet treated like a stranger.

Like a beggar who was not even allowed to step inside.

“Livia…”

Rossa’s voice trembled as she called her name.

Livia smiled.

Then embraced her.

For a moment—

the world seemed to stop.

There was only the two of them.

A mother

and her daughter.

Was this their final farewell?

Livia did not know.

But in silence, she made a promise—

She would return.

And when that time came,

they would finally experience the freedom they had only ever dreamed of.

“Let’s go.”

Adrian’s voice was heard again.

Firm.

Leaving no room for refusal.

“Wait a moment.”

Rossa stepped forward, holding a small bag in her hand.

“Won’t you go home first?” she asked softly.

“She is my wife now,” Adrian replied coldly. “I have the right to decide where she goes. And I want her to come with me immediately.”

There was not even the slightest trace of respect in his voice.

Rossa fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“I already expected this,” she said quietly. “So I have prepared your belongings.”

She handed the bag to Livia.

Livia accepted it.

A small smile formed on her face.

“Thank you, Mom.”

Rossa nodded.

Not far from there, Ronald stood silently, watching.

But Livia did not leave just yet.

She stepped toward the man once more.

“I have done as you asked,” she said softly, yet firmly. “Now you must keep your promise. Never hurt my mother again.”

Ronald gave a short nod.

A promise.

But an empty one.

And Livia knew it.

She would never truly believe him.

Without looking back, Livia walked away.

Leaving the old church behind.

Leaving her past behind.

And Rossa—

Could only stand there.

Holding back the pain that slowly tore her heart apart…

As she watched her daughter walk farther and farther away.