Chapter 5

(Valeria’s POV)

Matteo stayed at the Romano family's private hospital with Luciana for three days.

During those three days, he never called me. Not once. Not even a single message.

I welcomed the silence.

While Matteo remained at the hospital, I spent my days packing my belongings and my nights finishing the paperwork to resign from my position within the Romano family's organization.

Three days were more than enough to remove my name from the files, clear out my office, and cut every remaining tie I had to the Romano organization. By the time Matteo finally returned to the Romano estate, there would be nothing left of me there.

On the day Luciana was discharged, Matteo returned home alone.

He walked through the door just as I pulled the zipper across my final suitcase.

His eyes moved from me to the luggage beside my feet, and for some reason, his chest tightened.

"Where are you planning to go?"

My expression remained calm.

"There are too many old things here. I'm only clearing them out."

Matteo nodded and didn't question me further.

Then, as if he'd suddenly thought of something, he said, "Actually, this is good timing. Luciana has been badly shaken since what happened at the club. With the trouble between the families lately, I don't think she should stay alone."

He paused.

"Let her stay here for a while. You can move out first. Seeing you still reminds her of that night, and I don't want her frightened again."

He said it so naturally, as if asking his fiancée to leave the Romano family's home so another woman could move in was the most reasonable thing in the world.

"Fine."

I agreed without hesitation.

Having a few quiet days to myself before leaving the city was actually a relief.

Matteo froze.

He clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

He looked as though he wanted to say something else. Perhaps he had rehearsed those words many times in his head.

But in the end, the only thing that came out was, "The wedding is in three days. I'll come and get you when it's time."

I didn't answer.

I simply pulled my suitcase out of the Romano family's home.

For the next three days, Matteo and Luciana lived comfortably in the house that had been prepared for our marriage.

At least, that was what Luciana's social media posts showed. They made it obvious how much Matteo cared about her.

When Luciana woke from nightmares, Matteo stayed beside her until she fell asleep again.

When she suddenly craved a small cake from a bakery several miles away, he drove through the night to get it for her.

None of those things had Matteo ever done for me, not even during the years when we were supposedly falling in love.

On the final day, Luciana uploaded a post without a photo.

Only one sentence appeared.

"These peaceful days are coming to an end. It's a little sad to leave them behind."

Matteo replied beneath it.

"Whenever you want to stay, just come over."

Then he added:

"There will always be a place for you in the home Valeria and I built for our marriage."

I stared at those words.

Instead of feeling hurt, I felt relieved.

I was lucky that I had finally decided to cut myself free from both of these twisted relationships before the wedding.

At least I would never have to become the unwanted third person in my own marriage.

Three days later, on the morning of the wedding, Matteo sent me a message.

[I've already brought Luciana to the venue.]

Another message followed.

[She wants to walk down the aisle with you and personally hand you over to me. I think it would be meaningful, so just treat it as another part of the ceremony.]

Then came another.

[Come a little later. The makeup artist and stylist are getting Luciana ready now.]

I didn't reply.

Matteo seemed to have completely forgotten how absurd his request was. He had forgotten who the bride was supposed to be in the first place.

The wedding didn't need two brides. Luciana was already at the venue, so there was no reason for me to go.

I blocked Matteo's number, picked up my luggage, and took a taxi to the airport.

Just before boarding my flight, I called the wedding planner one last time.

"I won't be attending the wedding today, but I've already sent a wedding gift to the venue. Please make sure it reaches them."

I paused before adding calmly,

"And please wish Matteo and Luciana a long and happy marriage from me."