Chapter 2

The following day.

The photos were published across major news outlets.

Zach and Julie stood side by side. The rose tattoo on her left ring finger was clearly visible. From a distance, they looked like a newly married couple who had just completed their ceremony.

In an instant, congratulations flooded in from everywhere.

My mother was the only one who called me and asked, “Wasn’t that supposed to be a couple’s tattoo? Why does the person in the photo not look like you?”

I had no answer.

Soon after, Zach’s mother also texted me asking about it. I did not know how to respond, so I simply told her to ask Zach.

Unexpectedly, ten minutes later, Julie publicly claimed the photo on social media.

[Please don’t misunderstand. I just wasn’t sure what design to choose, so I used Miss Annie’s design as inspiration. There’s really no misunderstanding.]

I stared at the post, feeling nothing but exhaustion.

Not long after, Zach posted as well.

[There’s nothing to it. Don’t overthink it.]

When I read those words, I could not even tell if he was speaking to me or to everyone watching. Zach had always been like this, dismissing my grievances with a casual, ‘Don’t overthink it.’

This time, I did not shed a single tear or put up a fight. I called the butler right away. “Cancel all the floral arches for the wedding venue.”

The butler paused for a moment. “But, Miss Annie, those roses were specially flown in from France. The Boss also likes them very much. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

“I said, cancel them.”

He hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed.

A while later, he called back again, his tone uncertain. “The Godfather has instructed us to prepare a grand piano at the venue. Where would you like it placed?”

“A piano?”

“Yes. He said Miss Julie is an excellent pianist, so she will perform at the wedding.”

I let out a cold laugh. He was inviting his childhood love to perform at our wedding?

“He also asked us to prepare sheet music.”

“What sheet music?”

“It’s for a song called ‘Mariage d’Amour’.”

I froze for a moment. I was familiar with the melody. Zach had hummed it countless times before. He went back to it whenever he was troubled, injured, or drunk. I once asked him why. He said it was because of regret. I finally knew what he meant.

That night, he came to see me.

I looked at him and pushed the sheet music toward him immediately. “Why didn’t you discuss letting Julie play the piano at our wedding with me?”

He replied matter-of-factly, “Julie is a concert pianist. Her tour is about to start soon, and our wedding will be attended by high society figures from all over Sicily. It’s good exposure for her.”

I questioned, “What about what’s good for me?”

Zach looked up at me. “Annie, stop being unreasonable. I’m tired.”

I could not believe it. “So my wedding is just a platform for her tour promotion?”

Zach loosened his shirt collar. “That’s enough. It’s decided. Don’t make a scene.

“Back then, Julie and I had misunderstandings. Now that she’s back and willing to forgive me, I just want to help her. Is that really so unacceptable?”

I let out a bitter laugh.

Help her?

What about me?

When Zach first became Godfather, his foundation was unstable. I stayed by his side through the hardest three years.

I even used my own family’s influence to support him.

When he was shot and bleeding out, I was the one who gave him a blood transfusion.

His mother once thought I was just a spoiled rich girl. However, I earned her approval when I helped secure key trade routes for the Cross family several times.

Who had ever helped me back?

Julie’s call came in.

Zach glanced at me and answered, “Yeah, it’s me.”

“Zach, please don’t fight with Miss Annie because of me. I’d feel guilty.”

Zach lowered his eyes. “We’re not fighting.”

Then she said, “My stomach really hurts. Could you send a doctor over?”

Zach stood up immediately and prepared to leave.

I grabbed his arm. “You’re leaving?”

Zach replied, “Julie doesn’t have family or friends here. I should stay with her.”

I asked, “What about me? We haven’t even finished talking.”

His voice turned cold. “Annie, stop making things difficult. Julie is sick. Just let her be.”

I watched his figure disappear into the night.

That was when I realized he had already drifted so far away from me.