A Donna Reborn: No Longer a Substitute

Early the next morning, Riccardo left to mediate a dispute in another district, whereas I headed to the hospital to complete my resignation.

The nurse looked surprised when she saw me. "Dr. Valentino, are you really leaving?"

I nodded. "Yes. To further my studies at Capitolium."

"Do come back. We'll all miss you so much," the nurse said sadly.

"I will." I smiled, though I wasn't sure myself.

My return depended on whether there was anything left here worth returning for.

As I walked out of the office, I ran straight into Alice.

"Dalia, what are you doing here?" She blocked my path, her tone laced with provocation. "You're still hung up on Marco, aren't you? That's why you've come to beg him to take you back."

I couldn't be bothered with her, so I tried to step around her to leave.

But Alice wouldn't let it go. She shoved me and barked, "Do you think marrying Riccardo makes you superior? Well, let me tell you—whether it's him or Marco, the one they truly love is me."

I lost my balance and stumbled back a couple of steps. But suddenly, Alice let out a sharp scream and fell to the ground herself.

"My stomach! Dalia, why did you push me?"

She clutched her lower abdomen, her face twisted in pain.

I was stunned. Before I could even process what had happened, I was yanked aside and thrown to the ground.

I looked up and saw Riccardo.

His face was taut with anxiety as he lifted Alice into his arms, glaring at me furiously.

"Dalia, why did you push her? She's pregnant!"

"I didn't push her. She fell on her own." I got to my feet and brushed the dust off my clothes.

Just then, Marco rushed over. When he saw the scene, his gaze turned icy.

"Dalia, if anything happens to Alice, I won't let you get away with it."

Two men, for the sake of the same woman, abandoned me once again.

I watched as they frantically rushed Alice to the emergency room, finding the whole scene both ridiculous and pathetic.

In my past life, Marco had defended Alice just like this. In this life, Riccardo was repeating the same mistake.

I turned and left the hospital, returning to the manor.

As soon as I entered, I saw Madre sitting in the living room, her face dark with anger.

"You jinx. The moment you're back, you cause trouble. Get out of this manor immediately!"

"I will," I said calmly. "I'll be out of Porthaven in a week."

Madre was taken aback, clearly not expecting me to agree so readily.

I ignored her and went straight to my room.

Just five more days and I'd be rid of this place for good.

That evening, Riccardo returned. He looked at me and said wearily, "Dalia, you need to apologize to Alice."

"Why should I? I didn't do anything wrong," I retorted, meeting his gaze.

"I saw you push her with my own eyes." Riccardo's eyes were filled with disappointment. "She's pregnant. How could you be so heartless?"

He saw it with his own eyes? A sharp pain pierced my heart. Was this really the kind of person he saw me as?

"How do you want me to apologize? Should I get down on my knees?" I asked mockingly.

Riccardo remained silent, his acquiescence serving as an answer.

In that moment, my heart died completely.

"I will not apologize for something I didn't do."

I turned and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

Heavy footsteps echoed from outside the door.

Riccardo had left.

Leaning against the door, I finally let the tears fall, unable to hold them back any longer.

Two lifetimes of love, wasted on two men because of the same woman.

How pathetic.

But I wouldn't cry for long, because my future wasn't worth wasting tears on people who didn't deserve them.