05
The trending headline about Lorenzo flashed on my phone screen like a siren–Lorenzo Corvino spends $8 million on vintage moon brooch to bring a smile to his beloved.
The accompanying photo was grainy, but the world assumed the woman beside him was me.
I stared at it, my laughter bitter and sharp. Eight million dollars poured into a bauble meant to appease Stefania. The absurdity struck me like a slap. While I’d been planning a future with him, Lorenzo had already spent, gifting all he could afford to his beloved woman.
Lorenzo didn’t bother coming home after that. Days stretched into nights, and his absence became a constant. didn’t ask questions, for I stopped caring about answers.
Instead, I turned my focus inward. Quietly, methodically, I submitted my resignation from Corvino’s pharmaceutical company–a front for all illegal drugs they produced for underground society.
There were no dramatic goodbyes, just a few lingering hugs and whispered promises to stay in touch. My colleagues a handful of whom had become friends–didn’t seem surprised.
“We suspected as much,” Liz murmured when we were dining in the company’s cafeteria, sliding her phone across the table toward me. “Look.”
On the screen was Lorenzo’s social media account’s feed, filled with snapshots of him and Stefania. Each post was a punch to the gut. They were at an amusement park, her smile wide as he held her hand. Another showed her modeling wedding dresses, the caption teasing about–The perfect fi
The photo that sealed it for me, though, was taken atop Monte Luna. The moon hung low in the sky as they gazed at it together, his arm draped protectively around her shoulders. He’d never taken me there, despite knowing how much I’d longed to see it.
“Lorenzo’s not hiding it anymore,” Liz said softly. “He’s parading her around, Aletta. I’m sorry
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “There’s nothing to apologize for, Liz. I just wonder what he would say to explain once I told him I know about these feeds.” My voice didn’t shake, though my heart was breaking with the insults the two were giving me. “Or maybe, he thought I don’t have friends to show me his feeds. It’s obviously customized, right? Not for me to see.”
“Yeah, I thought so too…” Liz pouted. “And you still wanted to marry him?”
I snickered. Then I shook my head because I couldn’t give her a hint for my plan. “Just say you don’t need to worry about my feelings, Liz”
“Aletta, you don’t deserve him.”
“Enough of Lorenzo…” I smiled at her concern. “Actually, there’s something I need from you. Better than him and Stefania “I gave her a USB drive. “Can you help me get some files?”
Liz frowned at first but tilted her head next. “Of course! Anything for you, Aletta”
“Thanks,” I smiled sweetly. “Here’s what you need to do for me… Please help me ensure I leave no loose ends
behind. Get the transaction’s list of Corvino’s Drugs and Co. All of it.”
By the time Lorenzo returned, I had already packed most of my things. I’d bowed up the wedding preparations, stripped the house of decorations, and transformed the once supposed to be vibrant home into a sterile shell
He noticed the change the moment he walked through the door. His brows knitted together as he surveyed the bare walls and empty shelves
“Why does it feel so empty in here? His tone was casual, but his eyes lingered on the other wedding countdown that I taped to the fridge
“You told me to keep it simple,” I replied, my voice flat “This is simplicity”
He nodded absentmindedly and sank into the couch, his attention immediately drawn to his phone. His fingers flew over the screen, undoubtedly messaging Stefania. Iresisted the urge to snatch it from his hands
While he was distracted, I sat at the dining table, my laptop open. The surveillance files I’d collected over the past weeks–videos of Lorenzo and Stefania, their stolen moments and whispered secrets were transferred onto a sleek USB drive. Each fde was another nail in the coffin of my patience
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him glance up. His gaze landed on the countdown, and he smiled “In ten days,
we’ll be married”
I stood, tearing three parges from the calendar Mo, Lorenzo Seven days. Just a week alone I didn’t bother hiding the sarcasm in my tone.
His strale faltered as his eyes swept over the scribbled notes on the torn pages
Ride the Ferris wheel together.
Watch the stars
Fitting wedding dress
Wishes we were supposed to share Wishes be bad fulfilled with Stefania
Something flickered in his expression–regret, confusion–but it passed as quickly as it came. He opened his mouth to say something, but the sharp trill of my phone interrupted him
It was my mother. I stepped out onto the balcony to take the call, leaving him alone with his thoughts–or
Stefania, more likely
When I returned, Lorenzo was still sitting on the couch, his phone pressed to his ear. His voice was low, coaxing, and I caught snippets of the conversation.
“Of course, Steffi. I’ll be there soon. Don’t cry, okay?” He hung up before I could say anything. “I have to go,” he said, already hallway to the door
I folded my arms, leaning against the doorway. “Another emergency?
He hesitated, his hand on the knob. “It’s business. You know how it is.”
“Do I? My tone was sharp, and for a moment, he froze
But then he shrugged and walked out, leaving me alone again.
The next days blurred together. Lorenzo’s absence became my sanctuary, giving me the space I needed to finalize my plans. I canceled the remaining wedding arrangements, dismantled the illusion of a future I no longer
wanted
I
Sixth day before the wedding. I found myself standing in the living room, staring at the countdown. Six days left.
Sox days to let go.
My phone buzzed with a text I read it
LORENZO CHEATER Can you pick out a te for the wedding? I’m swamped at work
I stared at the message, my lips curling into a bitter smile. The audacity of him. Without replying, I walked to the
He didn’t come home that night. Or the night after. Four nights to go before the wedding, I knew he wouldn’t
bother showing up at all.
And that was fine.
Because all that remained now in me was the final act–a goodbye he would never forget.
