Done Being Your Lover

I walked home in a daze, my mind off to who-knew-where. A sports car suddenly roared past, its wheels throwing muddy water all over me.

I froze, drenched and miserable, and through the windshield of that familiar car, I saw Isabella's smug, contemptuous face. She rolled down the window with a bright but cruel smile.

"Now, this is how miserable you should look every day from now on, Bianca," she said, then slammed the gas pedal.

The car shot forward with a brazen roar, leaving me behind. Soaked to the bone, I returned to the gilded cage Enzo had bought me. The mansion was absurdly luxurious, but all I felt was emptiness.

As soon as I stepped in, my phone rang. It was my university advisor, Antonio Greco. "Bianca, are you really going to give up your study-abroad spot for that man? That's a chance so many people dream of!"

I stayed silent for a moment, then finally made up my mind. "You know what, Prof. Greco? I'll take the spot. I'll pack my bags and leave in five days."

In five days, it would be Enzo's birthday. He had once said he wanted a handmade gift from me. I opened my wardrobe and pulled out a carefully tailored suit.

Every stitch, every seam, had been done by me, a labor of months. It was once the truest expression of my feelings for him. Now, looking at it, all I felt was bitter irony.

What would Enzo's expression be when he received the suit? Would he even think of me, if only for a moment? With Isabella by his side, my gift probably wouldn't even catch his eye.

And what about the pregnancy test with the double red line tucked in the pocket? That wasn't what he wanted either, was it?

After hesitating for a long time, I threw it into the trash. I had thought it would be the perfect birthday gift, but now, it seemed the ideal gift would be Isabella's return.

That night, Enzo's assistant, Romeo Ricci, came to pick me up. "Ms. Ferraro, Boss Lombardi is waiting for you at the club."

I nodded and followed silently. When we arrived at the club, I barely reached the door of the private room before bursts of laughter spilled out from inside.

"Enzo, where are you going to get rid of that amante of yours?"

"Yeah, Isabella's back now, isn't she? Yet your amante is still clinging on. She's shameless, mio dio."

"That woman's just a pastime for you. Isabella's the real deal for you, isn't she?"

"Hey, Enzo. Now that Isabella's back, just send her away. Don't let her be an eyesore."

My heart sank to the bottom of a pit, my whole body freezing. So, in their eyes, I was nothing more than a joke.

Enzo's deep voice came through the crack in the door, somewhat displeased. "Enough. Stop with the nonsense. She'll be upset if she hears this."

He didn't deny any of their words. My fingers clenched into fists, my sharp nails digging into my palms, yet I felt no pain. My heart had hurt too much to feel anything at that point.

Just then, Isabella's sharp voice cut through the air. "Ah, Bianca, what are you doing out here? Enzo was worried sick about you!"

She yanked the door open and dragged me into the private room. Under the dim lights, Enzo sat on the couch, his expression unreadable.

"Bee, are you okay after the car accident?" he asked as gently as ever, but it sounded strange to me. "My phone died. I didn't read your message and couldn't get to you in time…"

I forced a smile and mumbled, "I'm fine."

Enzo studied me carefully, his brows knitting slightly. "You don't look so well. Are you okay? You know what—let me take you home."

I shook my head, avoiding his gaze.

For four years, I had lived in a fantasy I had woven for myself, and four years of his devotion had made me forget that our relationship started as a transaction. I was only his amante.

Isabella's return forced the truth before my eyes. Enzo's care and pampering didn't mean he loved me. Therefore, when his one true love came back, I had no choice but to step aside.