No Second Chances

My heart skipped a beat. I hung up the phone instantly.

"You're back from your trip?"

Vittorio avoided my gaze, clearly guilty. Then, he glanced at the wedding dress draped over the sofa. His brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Isabella, I told you I have no mind for a wedding right now. Can you stop pushing me?"

He paused. "Just give me a little more time. I swear I'll marry you."

A faint chuckle escaped my lips. I was dying to ask him what made him assume I'd marry a person who has no love for me. Yet, I ultimately held back and said nothing.

"My college roommate is getting married. She just mistakes the shipping address for her dress."

Vittorio let out a long, audible sigh of relief. I picked up the dress and walked straight out the door. That night, I picked up a marker and crossed off another day on the calendar. Tomorrow was Vittorio's birthday, and it was also the final day I got to stay by his side.

Early the next morning, Serena's phone call woke me up.

"Isabella, I know you're busy with wedding, but you can’t abandon the company! Ask Vittorio to get back to the office. There's a mountain of paperwork waiting for his signature!"

She rattled on and on, not intending to pause at all.

"There is one more thing. I heard that Dante Moretti, the president of Vespera Capital, was about to get married next week. Vittorio had better find a way to get an invitation and show his face. If Dante Moretti gives his nod, our IPO is absolutely guaranteed."

"Wait." I interrupted her.

I had been distracted by a gnawing stomachache, but her words jolted me awake. "Who did you say was the president of Vespera Capital?"

"Dante Moretti!"

Serena sighed in admiration.

"He's a true silver-spoon heir. We're entirely at Vespera Capital's mercy for the IPO, but I heard Vespera Capital is barely even a notable business for their Group.”

The mention of Dante Moretti, Vespera Capital, and investment struck me as way too much of a coincidence.

Seeing my silence, Serena asked.

"Isabella? Are you hearing me?"

"Yes… yes, I'm listening."

I pressed my lips together.

"I'll pass everything you said on to Vittorio."

Relieved, Serena added, "Alright. Have you set a date for your wedding? I want a hard-copy invitation. Don't try to cut corners with a digital one!"

I smiled softly.

"Next week. Don't worry about the invitation. I'll hand it over myself in person."

After hanging up, I dialed Vittorio. His voice was cold.

"What’s up?"

"What are you busy with? Serena said you haven't been to the headquarters for several days."

He lowered his voice, furious.

"What do you think I'm busy with? Why did you throw paint on Elara's front door? You know she's timid and easily frightened! Isabella, since when did you become so vicious?"

I was astonished.

"Elara told you I did it, and you just believed her?"

"She has never lied to me in her entire life!" He declared self-righteously. "I'll assign someone else to handle the company."

He was about to hang up, but I stopped him.

"Are you coming home tonight?"

"Isabella, why do you have to be so unreasonable when Elara needs me the most?"

I froze.

"Today is your birthday and our sixth anniversary."

I rubbed my aching stomach gently.

"Vittorio, you promised we would spend every anniversary together."

"I…"

Vittorio hesitated, a hint of guilt creeping into his tone.

"I almost forgot."

"Isabella, I'm coming back right now. I'll pick up some pastries you love on the way."

I was about to say something when a startled scream from Elara echoed through the phone.

Vittorio was so panicked that he didn't even hang up. He immediately lowered his voice to soothe her.

"Don't be scared. I'm right here. Don't cry. I'm not going anywhere."

I hung up the phone and stared at the empty penthouse. As the hands of the clock spun around and around, the night fell as heavy and suffocating as a black curtain.

Aside from the delivery guy dropping off my takeout, there was absolute silence. I knew Vittorio wasn't coming back. At 3:00 AM, my phone lit up. It was a message from Vittorio.

[Isabella, Elara is having nightmares. I'll be back before dawn. Wait for me.]

I pushed my suitcases out the door and hailed a cab to the airport without looking back. Vittorio, this time, I wouldn’t wait for you anymore.

My belongings and my very soul would leave Vittorio today and never come back.