Lorenzo was slightly displeased at my rare rejection. After all, I had never refused him anything in all these years.

"Did you read about something online again? It's just a bouquet of flowers."

I could tell Lorenzo was sounding me out. He didn't think I would be upset over a flower. He suspected I had seen something about him and Elena online, and that was why I was acting out.

I shook my head and replied, "I've been busy with family matters lately. No time for my phone."

He heaved a sigh of relief and ruffled my hair. "I've been busy, too. Once this is all over, we'll register our marriage and go on our honeymoon. I almost forgot that I came to give you this."

Lorenzo reached for his suit, pulled two musical tickets, and waved them teasingly in front of me. Then, he leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Come with me. It's compensation for not being able to get engaged right now."

If I hadn't heard what Lorenzo told his consigliere with my own ears, I might have been swept away by his sweet gesture.

But I didn't need that anymore. Before I could speak, Lorenzo's phone rang. He moved fast, but I caught a glimpse of his caller ID. It was Elena.

Lorenzo glanced at his phone, quickly slid the tickets back into his pocket, and pressed a hurried kiss to my forehead.

"Something happened at the port. I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow night. I'll pick you up."

He lied to me again. I stared blankly at the calendar. Tomorrow night? Was that really necessary?

This was the final performance of the musical troupe I had supported for five years. After the lead retired, the troupe would disband forever. Three months ago, I had casually complained to Lorenzo about not being able to get tickets. I hadn't expected him to remember.

There was nothing wrong with attending the musical. So, the next afternoon, I put on my makeup and got ready early. Lorenzo texted me saying something came up and that I should head there first. He'd be there soon, he said.

I waited at the theater entrance, dressed in a skirt and heels, from dusk until nightfall.

Three and a half hours passed. The show ended. Yet Lorenzo never came.

A notification of Elena's latest social media post popped up. There was a blurry video of a cheering

crowd.

"I suddenly felt like going to the music festival, so I dragged my husband along! The one who loves you will never ruin the fun!"

Although the video was blurry, I still saw Lorenzo's face.

Hah! He lied to me again.

I had stubbornly waited outside in the cold, my feet blistered from heels, while he celebrated with another woman. Yesterday, I had wanted to give him one last chance. How foolish of me to do so.

I quickly turned around, intending to leave. But my legs were stiff from standing too long, and the heels I wore today didn't help.

"Ah!" I lost my balance and fell. My knees and elbows scraped against the ground, and it hurt like hell.

Tears streamed down my face, though I couldn't tell if it was from the pain or the humiliation.

And then Lorenzo's call came through. "Cinzia, why did it take you so long to pick up? I came to your place, and the housekeeper said you weren't back yet. Where are you?"

"At the theater entrance."

He was momentarily lost for words. "I'm so sorry, tesoro. Some brazen men tampered with my shipment today, and I had to deal with it. You know how I—"

"Don't bother explaining."

With that, I hung up. I hobbled home, too exhausted even to change, and collapsed onto the bed, sinking into a deep sleep.

When I woke, I was in pajamas, and my wounds had been hastily bandaged.

Lorenzo held a cup of warm water and entered the room. He bent down and pressed his lips to my forehead. "Your fever's down, but you still need medicine. The doctor said your wounds are slightly infected."

I stared at him, stunned. How could he stand me up but act as if nothing had happened and care for me with such ease and tenderness?

Too many thoughts swirled in my head, but I ended up asking the most trivial question first.

"What are you doing here?"

Lorenzo frowned and placed the cup of water on my bedside table. "I called you over 20 times, and you didn't answer. I went around looking for you for so long, only to realize you'd gone back home. Where are your parents? You got hurt and had a fever. Why isn't anyone taking care of you?"

I took a sip of water. My parents had stayed in Southern Darvent to finalize the wedding plans since the day I agreed to the arranged marriage.

Seeing my silence, Lorenzo softened his tone, assuming I was still upset about last night. "Eat your medicine first. You didn't fall sick because you waited outside for three hours, did you?"

I swallowed the bitter pill, wishing I could splash the water in his face.

"Who do you think I was waiting for to get myself into this state? Get out! I don't want to see you."

Lorenzo stayed silent. He wanted to pat my head but failed. "I was busy yesterday. It's just a show. We can watch it next time."

Next time? Last night was the lead's farewell performance. Lorenzo didn't care about musicals, so he had no idea what it meant to me. And just as he didn't know that last night was my final chance for him.

I closed my eyes and repeated, "Get out!"

Lorenzo suddenly gripped my chin, forcing me to lift my head and meet his eyes. "Cinzia, have I spoiled you too much? Ever since we made things official, you've been giving me attitude.

"Now that we're together, you don't even bother pretending? Didn't you always want me to keep you company? Why are you playing hard to get now?"

"Get off me!"

The phone on the bedside table lit up. It was a message from Mamma.

Lorenzo was nearer to my phone, so he picked it up from the table and unlocked it effortlessly with his birthday.

"Give it back!" I tried to snatch my phone from him, but he was faster. His expression shifted from surprise to that smug, satisfied look. He let out a low chuckle and said, "As expected."

Lorenzo turned the screen toward me. Mamma had sent me pictures of wedding dresses. "Amore, take a look and see which one you like! You can change as many times as you want on the wedding day."

My stomach sank.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

Lorenzo bent down and ruffled my hair. He was smiling but the warning gaze in his eyes was unmistakable. "Listen, principessa. I'll propose when I'm ready. You know who I am. Stop with the tantrums and games. Do you understand?"

For a moment, I didn't know how to argue back. "Hold on. You got it wrong. Those—"

Lorenzo raised a hand, silencing me without a word. A few quick instructions to rest, and then he was gone.

I hurled the pillow against the door. Then, I took several deep breaths before picking up my phone and finally focusing on picking a wedding dress. The photos my parents had been sending kept piling up. Their text messages also seemed warmer and more approving than the last.

"Dominic already started preparing as soon as he got the news. He's really taking it seriously!

"He says everything will be done according to your preference."

After selecting the last dress, my phone exploded with messages from friends.

"Cinzia, you and Lorenzo just got together. Have you guys already broken up?"

There was a screenshot of Lorenzo's latest post. It was a close-up of two hands intertwined, fingers locked tight. The background was a church's stained-glass windows. He wrote, "Even God can't help but bless us early."

Everyone offered their congratulations except an observant friend who commented, "No way those hands belong to Cinzia. They don't have gun calluses! Lorenzo, what are you doing?"

Moments later, the post disappeared. Lorenzo had probably forgotten to hide it from mutual friends.

Before I could respond, a message from Lorenzo appeared. "Are you asleep?"

He was always so direct, so this seemingly casual question was clearly a probe.

I didn't answer and turned off my phone.

I slept through the night without dreams, and the fever was finally gone.

Lorenzo, having received no reply, showed up the next morning with breakfast in hand.

"Just checking if your fever's gone." As he stepped closer, a sweet perfume scent reached me.

I instinctively took a step back. He noticed I kept my distance and paused.

"You look pale. Did you stay up late or see something last night?" Lorenzo asked, trying to test me again.

"I went to bed early." I lowered my gaze and continued flatly, "Just had a bad dream."

His tense shoulders relaxed instantly, and his tone lightened. "Meno male! You should rest more. I'll check on you later."

I couldn't go back to sleep after watching Lorenzo leave. I decided to start clearing out every trace of him from my home. The jacket he left behind, the cups he used, the lighter he tossed on the counter, and even all the couple's gifts went into the trash bag.

Cleaning my own home was easy. But some of my things were still at his place. So, I immediately rushed to his house the moment I saw his car disappear.

The fingerprint lock recognized me immediately. I searched his apartment until I finally found the stack of discs in the bedside drawer. It contained my first clumsy confession at 15 years old to finally winning him at 25 years old. I had recorded every carefully prepared gesture and every brave step forward.

What had once felt like precious memories now filled me with shame.

By the time Lorenzo returned, I was burning the last disc. "What are you doing, Cinzia?"

He lunged forward and snatched the discs straight out of the fire. "Sei fuori? These are so important to us! Why would you burn them?"

His eyes were red, and the back of his hand was covered with blistered burns.

I felt bewildered. "It's nothing." I looked away and continued flatly, "These things should be thrown away. Who even uses discs anymore?"

Lorenzo froze, and his fury disappeared instantly. "That's not true. I've watched them countless times."

He paused.

I looked at him, unsure how to react. Why was he acting shy? It was disgusting.

Lorenzo tried to ease the situation. He reached out with his unburned hand and took my wrist. "You need to help me apply the medicine."

I stayed silent as I tended to his wounds. He hissed at the sting, then spoke again, "Cinzia, you seem to be in a bad mood lately. Do you want to head somewhere and clear your head?

"I remember you've always wanted to see that art exhibition in Moppato. I've already arranged the guide and hotel for you."

I looked at him and asked, "How long do you want me there? Are you coming along?"

He avoided my gaze, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

"Maybe next time. Our people have been clashing with the Babocci family lately. I can't get away right now. Stay as long as you want. If it makes you happy, you can stay there a while longer."

How kind of him. I lowered my head to mask the bitter smile.

But I already knew the truth. His and Elena's wedding was this Friday.

Lorenzo could block me on social media, but how could he possibly hide a wedding that grand? He wanted me away so that I wouldn't act on impulse and ruin the meticulously planned event.

I didn't understand. If he had chosen someone else, why didn't he reject me outright? Why did he accept my confession, only to betray me later?

I stared at him and asked, "Did you ever truly love me?"