I was too frantic to carefully consider Lucaro's words.

The word "assasination" cast a shadow over me, making me forget everything else in that moment.

I followed Enzo all the way to the spot where Carlo had fallen, where spent bullet casings and scattered droplets of blood were on the ground.

It all painfully reminded me of the scene from three years ago when Lucaro was assassinated.

Enzo stood there anxiously, making call after call.

Seeing that I wanted to go down, he quickly stopped me. "Ms. Santoro, I've already made the call. An ambulance and the Soldati are on their way. Don't be reckless."

Despite what he said, I shook off his hand and charged down. The slope was steep and slippery, and I fell several times before reaching Carlo.

He was riddled with bullets, his body mangled as he lay on the ground. He was barely alive.

This scene almost overlapped perfectly with the one from three years ago when I saw Lucaro.

Trembling, I grabbed Carlo's hand, calling out over and over, "Caro…"

I begged him softly not to leave me. I was afraid he'd fall asleep forever, just like Lucaro did.

I started shaking Carlo. During this, he regained consciousness.

He slowly opened his eyes and, upon seeing me in such a state of despair, couldn't help widening them in shock.

Suddenly, it started to rain. I quickly dragged Carlo up and began pulling him up the mountain.

Along the way, I kept stumbling and falling. Every time I fell, I used my own body to cushion him. As a result, stones scraped my hands and legs until they were bloody.

As I trudged on, I kept saying, "Caro, don't fall asleep. I'm saving you. I'm taking you home."

Carlo just stared at me with his mouth agape, unsure of what to say.

At the top of the slope, an ambulance was already waiting.

Mia Bianchi, the woman who had been in Carlo's passenger seat, had also been thrown from the car. She was being loaded onto the ambulance.

Just as Carlo was being loaded in, the medic saw my injuries and hesitated, saying, "The ambulance has limited space. We can only take two patients."

The medic looked at my wounds and said, "This young lady's injuries also need treatment."

As everyone hesitated, Carlo spoke from inside the vehicle. "She can wait. We'll go first."

Then, he said to me, "Wendy, your wounds don't look as severe as Mia's. Let Mia get treated first."

I said nothing. I merely stood by the roadside, watching the ambulance take Carlo and Mia away.

The onlookers gradually dispersed after that.

Enzo stayed by my side, glancing at my wounds several times. He didn't know what to say.

A cold wind blew, and I shivered. "Can you take me back first? In this state, I'd probably just get in the way at the hospital."

Enzo quickly nodded.

I stood and walked to the car. The woman reflected in the window was far from elegant—her clothes were torn, and her body was covered in blood.

Enzo found me a shawl. As he draped it over me, he said, "Ms. Santoro, don't worry. Don Altieri has been taken to the best hospital. He'll be fine."

I hummed in acknowledgment before getting into the car.

On the way home, Enzo tried to make conversation. "Ms. Santoro, you're truly amazing. You risked your life to save Don Altieri. He'll be very touched and will definitely treat you even better in the future."

I only smiled when I heard this. It was useless, for the one who was truly "Caro" to me died long ago.

My eyes stung, and a tear slid from the corner of my eye.

Enzo dropped me off at the manor and went to the hospital to see Carlo.

Just as I entered the living room, a maid informed me, "Ms. Santoro, Madre Altieri is here."

Carlo's parents were here?

In the three years I'd been with Carlo, his parents had never accepted me as his girlfriend. In fact, they often criticized me.

But now, seeing me, Marta Basile quickly stood and pulled me to sit beside her. She gently asked, "How could Carlo let you come back in such a wounded state?"

She turned to a maid and instructed, "Quick, call the family doctor to dress Wen's wounds."

Marta turned back to me and patted my hand, saying solemnly, "Wen, don't worry. I've heard about what happened today. You carried my son up the slope and ignored your own injuries.

"I admit that we were biased against you before. But you have my word—from now on, we will only recognize you as our daughter-in-law. Once Carlo is discharged, I'll have the wedding preparations started."

I didn't want to marry Carlo.

But when I looked up, I saw Lucaro's spirit standing by the window. It seemed noticeably fainter than before.

I recalled what Father Piero had told me.

"When Lucaro's spirit begins to fade, it means that he isn't far from ascending to heaven."

Was Lucaro finally about to go to heaven?

Thinking of this, I felt no joy at all—only a twisting pain in my chest.

I swallowed all my emotions and looked at Marta, nodding. "Okay."

Carlo's injuries weren't severe, and he was discharged from the hospital in just a few days. Our wedding date was officially set for ten days later.

That day would be when Lucaro's spirit would fade, the day he would ascend to heaven.

It was also the day I would truly say goodbye to this world and everyone in it.

Carlo intimately wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear, "Wen, a few of my friends are coming over later. Make sure the housekeepers know about their dietary restrictions."

Carlo disliked the smell of hospital disinfectant. Once his injuries were treated, he came home to recuperate, and I naturally began taking care of him.

I couldn't help but say, "The doctor said it's best for you to rest right now."

Hearing this, Carlos didn't get annoyed. He just chuckled softly. "What, are you starting to boss me around already?"

I quickly shook my head, wanting to explain, when Enzo stepped forward and handed Carlo his phone.

Carlo glanced at the caller ID, picked up the call, and walked away while speaking.

"Mia, how's your recovery going? Have you been listening to the doctor?

"Marriage? That's a long story. I'll explain it to you slowly."

I could only catch a few scattered words of what Carlo said next. Well, they weren't important to me anyway.

After giving instructions to the housekeepers, I noticed that it was still early and decided to take a walk in the garden. I only returned home when it was almost time for the gathering.

When I reached the manor gate, I saw several sports cars parked at the entrance.

A few people had gathered there, chattering excitedly.

"What? Don Altieri is really going to marry Wendy? He's truly going to love only Wendy from now on?"

"Of course. The wedding invitations have been sent. The story of Wendy risking her life to save Don Altieri is everywhere. If he backs out now, it would make him look bad."

"But isn't Mia pregnant? How could Wendy accept her newlywed husband bringing an illegitimate child into their home?"

At this point, Enzo came forward and coldly warned, "Don Altieri has already said that Mia's pregnancy must absolutely not be known to Ms. Santoro. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."

The group quickly fell silent.

I stood waiting around the corner. Only after everyone had gone inside did I walk out calmly.

Mia was pregnant? Did Carlo not want me to know because he was afraid I'd be angry? Or was he worried I'd hurt Mia?

I didn't know, and I didn't want to think about it. After all, in ten days, none of this would have anything to do with me.

I looked up to find Lucaro standing in front of me. His spirit was almost transparent in the setting sun, and his expression held deep disappointment and indignation on my behalf.

I felt as though someone had squeezed my heart.

Lucaro was disappointed that my love for Carlo had made me abandon all my principles, and he resented me for the needless suffering I'd brought upon myself because of it.

But no matter what Lucaro thought of me now—whether he doubted my sincerity or felt hopeless about me—I would still send him safely to heaven.

My steps didn't falter as I walked right through his spirit. In that moment, a sudden, bone-chilling cold made me shiver.

In the living room, Carlo and his friends were playing pool. Seeing me return, he put down his cue stick and walked up to me.

"Why did it take so long? Was someone causing you trouble?" he asked.

I smiled gently. "It's fine."

The people on the couch stood to greet me. "Ms. Santoro is so considerate. We're all jealous of Don Altieri."

"Exactly."

I listened to their teasing with a faint smile, my expression still calm.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Carlo went to answer it.

When the door opened, and everyone saw who had arrived, they fell silent.

It was Mia. Her face was pale, and tears glimmered in her eyes. She pointed at me and looked at Carlo, demanding, "Carlo, you have to choose between our baby and her."

Carlo didn't answer immediately, but I could see his gaze lingering on Mia's stomach. The longer he stayed silent, the more panicked I felt.

After a long moment, he looked at me and reached out to take my hand.

I grabbed his hand in return and said firmly, "Carlo, our wedding cannot be canceled."

Lucaro couldn't wait any longer. I had to get married!

I had always been well-behaved and had never spoken to Carlo like this before. My unusual behavior left everyone there stunned.

Carlo stared at me for a long time before a slow, mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Wendy, the wedding hasn't even happened yet. Do you already think of yourself as Donna, acting like that in front of me?"

His words instantly drained the color from my face. I had been too hasty.

My anxiety grew as I saw Lucaro's spirit growing more transparent. I was so afraid of making a mistake that I lost my composure in front of Carlo.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before saying, "Carlo, I didn't mean to pressure you. I just—"

Before I could finish speaking, Mia burst into tears. "Forget it, Carlo. I'll leave with the baby. May you and Ms. Santoro have a good life."

Carlo reached out and grabbed her arm, then turned to look at me. "Stay. You don't have to leave."

Carlo's words were blunt—he was telling me to leave.

I nodded, forcing down the suffocating feeling in my chest. "Have fun. I'll go."

With that, I turned and walked out.

After leaving the manor, I went to a coffee shop. Unexpectedly, I ran into Nico Romano, an old friend of Lucaro's.

When he recognized me, his expression darkened. He was clearly furious with me.

"Wendy, you're living a comfortable life now, huh? All these years, I never blamed you for Lucaro's death, yet you still dare to show up in front of me?"

I looked down at the coffee in front of me and smiled. "So? I have a new lover now, and I've started a new life. Nico, people have to look forward. One can't live in the past forever."

Nico was so angry that he raised his hand as if to hit me. "Wendy! If Lucaro hadn't loved you so deeply and made us protect you, I really would beat you to death!"

I glanced to the side, where I saw Lucaro's spirit had grown even fainter.

I downed the coffee in front of me. Amid the bitterness, I heard Lucaro say, "Wendy, I've never regretted loving you.

"But maybe, like you said… I should also let go of our past."

A sharp pain stabbed my heart, making it hard to breathe. Was Lucaro leaving me?

I walked out of the coffee shop and let my tears flow freely.

My plan was now down to the final step.

…

I single-handedly arranged the wedding ceremony, not caring about what Carlo truly thought of me.

I just wanted to act out this final scene and successfully send Lucaro to heaven.

On the wedding day, I arrived at the venue early to wait for Carlo. But after six hours, Carlo still hadn't shown up.

The guests murmured among themselves. Overcome with guilt, Marta could only ask helplessly, "Wendy, should we postpone it?"

I shook my head. "I've wanted to marry Carlo for a long time. I can't wait any longer."

Lucaro's departure couldn't be delayed any further.

Marta sighed and told a Soldato to hurry Carlo along.

I stood in place and saw Lucaro's spirit walk to my side under the crystal chandelier. He was growing more transparent, but the look in his eyes also grew calmer.

I gritted my teeth and forced back the ache rising in my throat.

…

Elsewhere, Carlo sat in the manor, staring at the phone in front of him as it rang again and again.

Enzo couldn't help but say, "Don Altieri, perhaps we should go. Or at least, answer the call."

Carlo tossed the phone aside. "She embarrassed me a few days ago. If I don't teach her a lesson now, what if she gives me attitude later?"

Enzo sighed. "Don Altieri, if you lose Ms. Santoro, you'll never find someone who loves you that wholeheartedly again."

Carlo's expression stiffened, then he said with certainty, "Wendy won't leave me."

…

Night fell, and Carlo still hadn't come.

I saw Father Piero walking toward me slowly. He whispered to me, "It's time."

My heart lurched in my chest. I looked back and saw that Lucaro's spirit had reached its limit of transparency.

Now, all I had to do was follow the plan and sacrifice my life here, making him believe that I died for love. Then, his obsession with me would vanish.

Thinking this, I let out a relieved smile and picked up my phone to send Carlo one last message.

"Carlo, I won't love you anymore."

After that, while holding up the hem of my dress, I walked to the top floor of the wedding chapel.

Below me was a cliff. I was afraid of heights, and the sight before me made me feel somewhat frightened.

But as a gust of wind blew past, Lucaro's voice drifted to my ears. "Wendy, are you willing to give up even your life for him?"

I instinctively turned my head around and saw Lucaro's spirit slowly dissipating in the distance. He was so puzzled by his own transformation that he was completely unaware of my gaze.

Perfect. I could finally send Lucaro to heaven.

I closed my eyes, clutched the cross around my neck tightly, and jumped.