Semua Bab I Paid in Blood, He Paid in Regret: Bab 1 - Bab 9

"You were with Carlotta during our engagement ceremony, weren't you?" I demanded while staring at Demetrio Farese.He nodded, his expression showing no guilt. If anything, there was a look of relief on it."When I put the ring on your finger, I was just thinking how ugly your hands were. They didn't deserve a ring like that. Carlotta asked me to help her pick out a manicure style, so I just made up some excuse and left."My heart skipped a beat, like someone had gripped it hard. But memories flooded back at that very moment.On the day of the engagement, halfway through the ceremony, Demetrio's phone buzzed. As he looked at it, his face turned pale.Then, he looked at me with just the right amount of guilt in his eyes and said, "There's a serious issue with the west trade route. I need to handle it personally."I should've known something was off. That route had been a legitimate business for years. There was no way it would go wrong.Back then, I still tried to cover for him wi

I watched the video over and over again like I was torturing myself.From the initial heartbreak to the point where I no longer felt the pain, I learned then that people really could become numb after enough hurt.I suddenly realized that whether Demetrio married me or not didn't matter anymore. Who he chose, who he protected, and who he loved had nothing to do with me anymore.I decided to let him be with Carlotta.I packed my things bit by bit from the house I once called home. Clothes, jewelry, old photos, and the memories I had carefully kept all went into a suitcase.As I stood at the door, holding the suitcase, I didn't even look back.…When I found Demetrio at the hospital, I didn't even have the chance to speak about breaking off the engagement."It was you, wasn't it?" Demetrio demanded.His face was dark, and he grabbed my neck with such force that it felt like he was trying to choke the life out of me."Are you jealous that Carlotta's physically perfect, so you ha

During the wedding ceremony, the priest announced, "You may kiss the bride."However, Demetrio stood still, momentarily lost in thought.Carlotta's smile froze for a moment, and she softly called out, "Demetrio?"She stepped closer. Her tone was laced with a cautious concern as she asked, "Are you feeling alright?"Demetrio snapped out of his trance. Pressing his fingers to his forehead, he replied, "I'm fine."He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.The next second, he closed his eyes and leaned down, kissing Carlotta on the lips. His movement was gentle and dignified—so perfect, like an act that had been rehearsed countless times.But in that fleeting moment, my face flashed across his mind without warning. He couldn't explain why, but he found himself thinking of me.Demetrio remembered the first time he met me as a child. That tiny, fragile thing followed timidly behind him like a little shadow he could never shake off.He remembered when we first got together.

After escaping the Farese estate, I got into a car heading toward the harbor. My mind was focused on one thing—leaving.I needed to leave this world that had hurt me to the core and leave behind all the lies and control, even if no one would recognize me anymore.The sea breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the salt of the ocean and sweeping away a fragment of the ache in my chest.I had no destination in mind, only the desire to find a place where I could disappear completely.A few hours later, I arrived on a quiet, remote island. There weren't many people, the streets were peaceful, and the air smelled of seawater and pine trees.I rented a small house. The walls were plain white, and outside the window, palm trees swayed in the breeze.Life was simple—almost monotonous. Every morning, I'd wake up, make a cup of coffee, and listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks.During the day, I'd go into the town to buy groceries and chat with the shopkeepe

Carlotta stood not far away, her face pale. Her right hand hung limply at her side, yet she still managed to maintain her usual poise.She fixed her gaze on me. "I knew you'd come to find her."Her voice quivered, almost breaking, as she continued, "You were right."When she looked at me, her gaze was stripped of smugness and calculation for the first time. All that remained was a mess of panic and exhaustion."There really isn't a woman who can stay by Demetrio's side."As she finished speaking, she subconsciously reached for Demetrio's sleeve.Like a drowning person, she knew full well she couldn't hold on, yet she still couldn't let go.Carlotta lowered her head. Tears fell steadily down her cheeks, yet she still took Demetrio's hand and led him away.Her steps were hurried, frantic, and helpless.Demetrio, pulled along by her, kept glancing back at me. His gaze was a mix of confusion, helplessness, and refusal.Meanwhile, I just looked at them indifferently.None of this