Chapter 9

I had always been well-behaved and had never spoken to Carlo like this before. My unusual behavior left everyone there stunned.

Carlo stared at me for a long time before a slow, mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Wendy, the wedding hasn't even happened yet. Do you already think of yourself as Donna, acting like that in front of me?"

His words instantly drained the color from my face. I had been too hasty.

My anxiety grew as I saw Lucaro's spirit growing more transparent. I was so afraid of making a mistake that I lost my composure in front of Carlo.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before saying, "Carlo, I didn't mean to pressure you. I just—"

Before I could finish speaking, Mia burst into tears. "Forget it, Carlo. I'll leave with the baby. May you and Ms. Santoro have a good life."

Carlo reached out and grabbed her arm, then turned to look at me. "Stay. You don't have to leave."

Carlo's words were blunt—he was telling me to leave.

I nodded, forcing down the suffocating feeling in my chest. "Have fun. I'll go."

With that, I turned and walked out.

After leaving the manor, I went to a coffee shop. Unexpectedly, I ran into Nico Romano, an old friend of Lucaro's.

When he recognized me, his expression darkened. He was clearly furious with me.

"Wendy, you're living a comfortable life now, huh? All these years, I never blamed you for Lucaro's death, yet you still dare to show up in front of me?"

I looked down at the coffee in front of me and smiled. "So? I have a new lover now, and I've started a new life. Nico, people have to look forward. One can't live in the past forever."

Nico was so angry that he raised his hand as if to hit me. "Wendy! If Lucaro hadn't loved you so deeply and made us protect you, I really would beat you to death!"

I glanced to the side, where I saw Lucaro's spirit had grown even fainter.

I downed the coffee in front of me. Amid the bitterness, I heard Lucaro say, "Wendy, I've never regretted loving you.

"But maybe, like you said… I should also let go of our past."

A sharp pain stabbed my heart, making it hard to breathe. Was Lucaro leaving me?

I walked out of the coffee shop and let my tears flow freely.

My plan was now down to the final step.

…

I single-handedly arranged the wedding ceremony, not caring about what Carlo truly thought of me.

I just wanted to act out this final scene and successfully send Lucaro to heaven.

On the wedding day, I arrived at the venue early to wait for Carlo. But after six hours, Carlo still hadn't shown up.

The guests murmured among themselves. Overcome with guilt, Marta could only ask helplessly, "Wendy, should we postpone it?"

I shook my head. "I've wanted to marry Carlo for a long time. I can't wait any longer."

Lucaro's departure couldn't be delayed any further.

Marta sighed and told a Soldato to hurry Carlo along.

I stood in place and saw Lucaro's spirit walk to my side under the crystal chandelier. He was growing more transparent, but the look in his eyes also grew calmer.

I gritted my teeth and forced back the ache rising in my throat.

…

Elsewhere, Carlo sat in the manor, staring at the phone in front of him as it rang again and again.

Enzo couldn't help but say, "Don Altieri, perhaps we should go. Or at least, answer the call."

Carlo tossed the phone aside. "She embarrassed me a few days ago. If I don't teach her a lesson now, what if she gives me attitude later?"

Enzo sighed. "Don Altieri, if you lose Ms. Santoro, you'll never find someone who loves you that wholeheartedly again."

Carlo's expression stiffened, then he said with certainty, "Wendy won't leave me."

…

Night fell, and Carlo still hadn't come.

I saw Father Piero walking toward me slowly. He whispered to me, "It's time."

My heart lurched in my chest. I looked back and saw that Lucaro's spirit had reached its limit of transparency.

Now, all I had to do was follow the plan and sacrifice my life here, making him believe that I died for love. Then, his obsession with me would vanish.

Thinking this, I let out a relieved smile and picked up my phone to send Carlo one last message.

"Carlo, I won't love you anymore."

After that, while holding up the hem of my dress, I walked to the top floor of the wedding chapel.

Below me was a cliff. I was afraid of heights, and the sight before me made me feel somewhat frightened.

But as a gust of wind blew past, Lucaro's voice drifted to my ears. "Wendy, are you willing to give up even your life for him?"

I instinctively turned my head around and saw Lucaro's spirit slowly dissipating in the distance. He was so puzzled by his own transformation that he was completely unaware of my gaze.

Perfect. I could finally send Lucaro to heaven.

I closed my eyes, clutched the cross around my neck tightly, and jumped.