Semua Bab Our Love Withered Before the Petals Fell: Bab 1 - Bab 10

The study in the Giordano residence was thick with smoke.Tania Giordano pushed the door open.Her father—the Don of the Giordano family, once a feared and respected figure—sat hunched over a pile of documents. The reports showed their cash flow had completely collapsed. He didn't even notice the cigar in his fingers had burned down to the nub."Papa, I'll accept the marriage to Don Garretti," Tania said calmly.Rino Giordano snapped his head up. The worry on his face instantly flipped to joy. "Tania? You're here? You're really willing to marry that vegetable Don?"Then, his expression shifted back to concern. "Tania, I owe you and Noemi an apology. But the Garretti family is huge and powerful. This engagement was settled long ago. There's no calling it off now."Tania didn't answer. She walked over to the conference table and tapped it lightly with her fingers. "But if I am to marry that Don who might not even wake up in Noemi's place, I expect to be compensated."Rino's smile

The desire lingering in Simone's eyes quickly faded, replaced by his usual cold arrogance.It was as if the tender moment with the scarf had been nothing but an illusion.He calmly tightened his bathrobe. The collar slumped loosely, sliding down to reveal the smooth line of his back.At his feet, the pale yellow scarf was gently hooked behind him and tucked under the carpet.Tania stepped forward slowly.She bent to pick up the scarf, then raised her hand to trace his face. "You care this much about a scarf? If Noemi knew, she'd probably cry tears of joy."Simone's Adam's apple bobbed. He reached for the scarf, but she pressed down on his wrist.Her chest almost touched his arm, and her warm breath brushed his neck. "Your heart's racing. That felt good, huh? What's wrong? Do you only let your guard down when you're alone with her private belongings?"Simone took a half step back but found his retreat blocked by a glass partition."Come with me to Valoria's underground casino t

Ridgeway Road was lit up like daylight. Rows of modified race cars lined up side by side.Tania entered her private lounge and came out shortly after in a new outfit.The black racing suit hugged her waist and long legs, adding a wild edge to her usual cool beauty. For a brief moment, the area around her fell into stunned silence.She walked straight toward her silver-gray car. Just as her fingers touched the door handle, footsteps sounded behind her."Tania, your car is so cool!"Noemi walked over arm-in-arm with Simone. Her white dress fluttered softly in the night breeze. "Simone, look! Tania's car is prettier than all the others."Simone glanced at her. "If you like it, you can learn more about it later."Tania watched them coldly and opened the car door. Just as she was about to get in, Simone called out, "Wait."He stepped closer, frowning slightly. "It rained last night. There's water on the curves. Watch your speed."Having stayed by Tania's side for all these years, h

Tania woke in a blur. Every breath was a jagged pull against the sharp agony of her ribs."Simone, this is all my fault… If I hadn't insisted on watching the race, Tania wouldn't have ended up like this."Noemi's sobbing came from beside the hospital bed. "I'm so scared. If anything happened to her, I'd never forgive myself.""It's not your fault," Simone said nearby. "It was an accident. No one could've predicted a punctured tire. Besides, she drove over on her own. Getting hurt was on her. Don't blame yourself. You should rest. I'll stay here."Tania listened to the familiar exchange and felt nothing but irony.She had nearly died, yet it was all deserved.Pain and disappointment tangled in her chest, and she couldn't stop herself from coughing.The sudden sound froze Noemi and Simone.Noemi lunged toward the bed. "Tania, you're finally awake! How do you feel? Are you feeling pain anywhere?"Her voice was anxious and tender, as if she were genuinely worried.Watching her pe

When Tania woke, she was completely alone.The lingering, suffocating sensation in her lungs reminded her that what happened wasn't an illusion.She dragged her heavy, aching body back home.As she pushed open the door, the faint scent of something cooking wafted from the living room.Simone, wearing an apron, stood at the kitchen doorway.Seeing her disheveled appearance, he frowned at once. "Where have you been? What happened to you?"Tania didn't respond. Instead, she walked straight upstairs without sparing him a glance.Simone stood frozen.In the past, no matter how angry she was, she couldn't help but snap back at him or find some way to tease and provoke him.This complete indifference left him feeling hollow inside.Carrying a bowl of chicken soup, he knocked softly on her door."Come in." Tania's voice was as cold as ice.Simone pushed the door open and found her sitting on the edge of the bed, wiping a cut on her arm. Her face was ghostly pale.He placed the bow