Home / This Time I Choose to Leave / Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

All Chapters of This Time I Choose to Leave: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The guests gradually began to leave.I stood before the cross, looking down at the emblem pinned to my chest.Just last night, Rossi Matteo had brought me the emblem representing the Donna of the Matteo family and pinned it to my dress himself."Emily DeLuca, I can't wait any longer to give this to you. For the rest of my life, I'll be your most loyal partner." He held me in his arms, his deep-set eyes filled with love.Back then, I had been full of hope for our marriage.So when Rossi told me he had to leave overnight to handle some family business and promised he would return in time for the wedding today, I believed him.Even when he failed to show up at the agreed time two hours ago, I still chose to wait.Rossi had never broken a promise to me. Sometimes, he was simply a little late in keeping it.But two hours later, I received a message from him.[Emily, my flight clearance hasn't come through. We'll have to postpone the wedding for now.]Before I could even process hi

Chapter 2

Just as I was about to leave the chapel, my phone buzzed with another notification.It was from an app Rossi had personally arranged to have installed on my phone.He frequently traveled between two countries. Sometimes, he couldn't respond to my messages right away, and he worried I would get anxious. So he'd had someone develop an app that allowed me to check his flight routes whenever I wanted.But throughout our five years together, he'd always been good about keeping me informed, so I'd rarely opened it.The screen refreshed, and I saw the latest flight information at the top of the screen.At nine last night, his private jet had flown from Novaport to Aurorheim. There was no record of a return flight application.I clenched my fists, fighting back tears as I turned and walked away."Donna Emily."Footsteps sounded behind me. It was Rossi's men. They approached cautiously. "We'll take you home, ma'am.""No need." I shook my head, removed the emblem from my chest, and hand

Chapter 3

The next day, I pulled out a suitcase and began packing my things.Rossi had bought this villa specifically for our marriage. After moving in, I'd decorated it with all kinds of things, full of hope for the future we would share.Matching mugs, slippers, throw pillows for the sofa...Little by little, I turned this house into the home I'd always imagined. Now, I had to dismantle it all with my own hands.I was putting the gemstone necklace Rossi had given me into a box of items to donate when I suddenly received several photos.Every one of them showed Rossi and Ava in intimate poses from when they'd been together.The latest photo had clearly been taken in Aurorheim. Ava was proudly showing off the ring on her finger to the camera while Rossi stood behind her, gazing at her with indulgent affection.[So what if he marries you? I'll always be the one he loves most.][Staying by his side will only humiliate you. If you're smart, you'll leave him on your own.]I realized the acc

Chapter 4

Over the next day, I dropped off the things at a donation center and began packing the rest of my belongings.Anything I could take with me, I shipped to my new address. Everything else, I simply threw away.Once every trace of me had been cleared from the house, I finally felt a sense of relief.On the morning of the third day, I was dragging my suitcase toward the door, ready to leave, when Rossi returned.He stood in the doorway wearing a black overcoat that seemed to carry the wind and snow of Aurorheim with it, making him look exceptionally imposing and cold.An alarm went off in my head. Instinctively, I hid my suitcase behind me.Before I could figure out what to say, Rossi suddenly pulled me into his arms.I was just about to struggle when his voice drifted down from above me."Don't move. Let me hold you for a moment."The gentle, wistful tone in his voice made me lose focus for a brief moment, but I quickly pulled myself out of his embrace."Why are you back?"Ross

Chapter 5

After leaving the villa, Rossi had intended to handle everything quickly and return to me as soon as possible.But the moment he arrived at the airport, he was swarmed by a mob of Ava's obsessive fans. By the time he finally managed to break free of the crowd, half an hour had passed.Rossi instinctively took out his phone to explain the delay to me, only to discover that I hadn't sent him a single message.Staring at the empty screen, he felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of panic.In the past, I always loved sending him messages, both important and trivial. If he didn't check his phone for half a day, he would return to find more than a dozen unread messages from me.Sometimes, Rossi had found it annoying. Now that I'd finally become as quiet as he always wanted, he found himself growing restless instead.[Emily, I'll be home soon. Remember to get some rest early.] Rossi sent me a message, hoping I'd reply as quickly as I always had before.One minute. Two minutes...Rossi's a

Chapter 6

I had no idea what was happening back there.I rented an apartment with the help of a real estate agent. It was small, barely 450 square feet, but it was more than enough for me.Once I settled in, I headed to campus to register for classes.I had majored in artificial intelligence in college. After graduating, I originally planned to pursue a master's degree, but my unexpected involvement with Rossi had put my education on hold.Now, I intended to continue my studies.Registration, paperwork, course selection... One tedious task after another kept me occupied.By the time I looked up, it was already evening.I dragged my exhausted body back to the apartment and checked my phone, only to discover that Rossi had sent me a flood of messages.I scrolled back to the beginning. When I saw his message saying the wedding had been postponed again, I couldn't help feeling bitterly unsurprised, eliciting a bitter, cynical laugh.Just then, another message from Rossi popped up.[Emily,

Chapter 7

Stefanie's voice rose sharply as she berated me. "With your family background, marrying Rossi would already be marrying above your station. If you keep running your mouth, don't blame me for what happens next.""Mrs. Matteo," I replied, my tone steady. "You can't even tolerate the thought of it happening to you. So why should I be expected to accept it?""You...""Emily!"Just as we were facing off, Rossi hurried over. He looked as though he'd been having a rough time over the past few days. His suit was rumpled, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and exhaustion was written all over his face.He approached me, visibly agitated. "I can explain what happened. Please, just give me a few minutes."Stefanie immediately objected. "All you did was accompany Ava to Aurorheim. It's not as though you did anything outrageous! Besides, with everything you have to offer, you could have any woman you wanted. Why are you groveling at her feet?!""Madre, go home." Rossi didn't even look at her.T

Chapter 8

Rossi froze on the spot.I didn't bother watching his reaction. I simply said, "The wedding is canceled. You can handle the rest of the arrangements yourself." Then, I turned and walked away.Stefanie couldn't stand seeing her son treated this way. Gritting her teeth, she tried to call me back, but Rossi stopped her. The two stood facing off for a long time before she finally backed down."Fine! Do whatever you want. I'm done interfering!" She stormed away in anger.That evening, Rossi publicly announced the cancellation of the wedding.The news sent shock waves through the social circles. Everyone had a different reaction to his announcement.Some watched the drama unfold, others tried to uncover what had happened, and some took the opportunity to offer their support...I glanced over the reactions and then stopped paying attention.Not long afterward, Rossi called me from an unfamiliar number. I didn't bother checking the number carefully and answered without thinking.The m

Chapter 9

Half a month later, I found Ava standing outside my front door.She wore a black overcoat, sunglasses, and a face mask. Though I couldn't see her expression clearly, the exhaustion radiating from her was unmistakable.When Ava saw me, she held out a ring. It was the one Rossi had given her. "I'm leaving. I came here today to return what belongs to its rightful owner."I didn't reach for it. "You've got the wrong person. I'm not the owner of that ring."Ava paused, then suddenly removed her sunglasses. "When I found out you two were going to exchange vows, I couldn't accept it. Why should you get him?"I was the one who stayed by his side as he grew up. I was the one who nearly died because I was hurt protecting him. And yet, in the end, he chose you."I said nothing, quietly waiting for her to continue.Ava lifted her chin slightly. "So I deliberately called him over after I'd had too much to drink, then reminded him of the vows he'd once promised me. I just wanted to see if I c

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP