Chapter 4

Liliana smiled as she watched the photograph slip into the fireplace. The sweet smiles of our family of three were devoured by the flames in the blink of an eye.

"NO—"

I lunged into the fireplace, my fingers reaching through the flames to snatch the photo.

Most of it was already charred black. My parents' faces were obscured by soot, leaving only faint outlines.

Seeing the charred photograph in my hand, He rubbed his brow wearily. He said softly,

He caught my hand and slid a ring onto my ring finger. It was the very ring that had been broken.

"Dear, this’s the price you must pay for hurting Liliana."

“I've had it repaired this ring. We will have a magnificent wedding, and with this ring, we will vow our love to each other. You will be my Donna.”

His warm breath brushed against my skin, yet I felt as if I had been thrown into an icehouse.

I could only nod blankly.

I collapsed to my knees, staring blankly at the fire with swollen, red eyes.

Seeing my silence, the hand resting on my head stiffened. After a long silence, he finally said:

"Good that you know your mistake. Go back to your room, rest early."

Then he turned. Walked away. His steps were... unsteady.

I wiped my tears and walked back to my room.

I’m leaving anyway. There was no need to keep those things anymore.

I dragged out everything Marco had ever given me—every gift, every trinket.

Stuffed animals from shopping trips. Jewelry worth a king's ransom.

I threw them all into the fire.

The butler wept in the corner. He didn't stop me.

When I was done, I collapsed onto the bed. Exhaustion swallowed me whole.

I slept.

The next few days, Marco didn't come back.

But I knew exactly where he was. Liliana's social media told me everything.

He was at the hospital taking care of Liliana. He sent me a message, saying he needed to tend to her injuries and wouldn't be coming home for a while.

He would feed her, cut fruit for her...

Things he used to do only for me.

Watching those updates, my heart was already a wasteland of numbness.

The day before I left, I heard a commotion downstairs.

I walked out of my room.

Liliana was directing workers to haul furniture in.

She spotted me and waved—beaming.

"Serana! The wedding's tomorrow, so I'm moving in today. If you need anything at all—anything—just tell me. I'll make sure you have it."

I frowned. Not even married, and already playing Donna.

"Serana, my health hasn't fully recovered. I need a large, well-ventilated room. Could I stay in yours until after the wedding?"

Liliana winked at me.

She was trying to push my buttons. Get me to lose it so Marco would punish me again.

I just smiled. Calm. Quiet.

"Sure. The room already cleaned out anyway. She can move right in."

Marco stood in amazement. Caught off guard.

Something flickered behind his eyes.

I chose the smallest, most hidden room in the manor.

That night, Marco came to find me.

He looked at the cramped, dim space—and something like guilt crept into his voice:

"This is only temporary. Your parents left you other properties. You can stay there for a few days."

Now he's kicking me out too?

I thought about it, but my expression remained completely unchanged.

"Serana... don't misunderstand. I do love you. I just need you to get along with Liliana..."

"Fine."

I cut him off. Didn't want to hear another word.

The next morning, the manor woke early to prepare for the wedding.

No one paid me any attention.

When the sun hit its peak, Liliana walked down the aisle in front of everyone.

Marco looked at the woman before him—and remembered.

That wedding dress. The same one I'd worn that night at eighteen. When I told him I'd walk down the aisle to him.

His eyes swept the crowd, searching—

Nowhere.

He couldn't find me.

A cold knot tightened in his chest.

Where is she?

I watched the ground grow distant. The buildings shrink.

My old identity was already ashes.

Goodbye, Marco.

I looked at my new documents—new name, new life.

And smiled.

Italy. My mother's homeland. I'm coming.