Chapter 4

I slept through the night without dreams, and the fever was finally gone.

Lorenzo, having received no reply, showed up the next morning with breakfast in hand.

"Just checking if your fever's gone." As he stepped closer, a sweet perfume scent reached me.

I instinctively took a step back. He noticed I kept my distance and paused.

"You look pale. Did you stay up late or see something last night?" Lorenzo asked, trying to test me again.

"I went to bed early." I lowered my gaze and continued flatly, "Just had a bad dream."

His tense shoulders relaxed instantly, and his tone lightened. "Meno male! You should rest more. I'll check on you later."

I couldn't go back to sleep after watching Lorenzo leave. I decided to start clearing out every trace of him from my home. The jacket he left behind, the cups he used, the lighter he tossed on the counter, and even all the couple's gifts went into the trash bag.

Cleaning my own home was easy. But some of my things were still at his place. So, I immediately rushed to his house the moment I saw his car disappear.

The fingerprint lock recognized me immediately. I searched his apartment until I finally found the stack of discs in the bedside drawer. It contained my first clumsy confession at 15 years old to finally winning him at 25 years old. I had recorded every carefully prepared gesture and every brave step forward.

What had once felt like precious memories now filled me with shame.

By the time Lorenzo returned, I was burning the last disc. "What are you doing, Cinzia?"

He lunged forward and snatched the discs straight out of the fire. "Sei fuori? These are so important to us! Why would you burn them?"

His eyes were red, and the back of his hand was covered with blistered burns.

I felt bewildered. "It's nothing." I looked away and continued flatly, "These things should be thrown away. Who even uses discs anymore?"

Lorenzo froze, and his fury disappeared instantly. "That's not true. I've watched them countless times."

He paused.

I looked at him, unsure how to react. Why was he acting shy? It was disgusting.

Lorenzo tried to ease the situation. He reached out with his unburned hand and took my wrist. "You need to help me apply the medicine."

I stayed silent as I tended to his wounds. He hissed at the sting, then spoke again, "Cinzia, you seem to be in a bad mood lately. Do you want to head somewhere and clear your head?

"I remember you've always wanted to see that art exhibition in Moppato. I've already arranged the guide and hotel for you."

I looked at him and asked, "How long do you want me there? Are you coming along?"

He avoided my gaze, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

"Maybe next time. Our people have been clashing with the Babocci family lately. I can't get away right now. Stay as long as you want. If it makes you happy, you can stay there a while longer."

How kind of him. I lowered my head to mask the bitter smile.

But I already knew the truth. His and Elena's wedding was this Friday.

Lorenzo could block me on social media, but how could he possibly hide a wedding that grand? He wanted me away so that I wouldn't act on impulse and ruin the meticulously planned event.

I didn't understand. If he had chosen someone else, why didn't he reject me outright? Why did he accept my confession, only to betray me later?

I stared at him and asked, "Did you ever truly love me?"