The Donna’s Exit

The next day, when I was discharged, Matteo came personally to pick me up.

He helped me into the car, his movements gentle, as though I were fragile porcelain. The entire drive, he held my hand, asking every so often whether my head still hurt, whether I felt unwell anywhere.

"Did you finish handling the company matters?" I asked.

"Mm. I left the rest to them." He turned to look at me. "For the next few days, you focus on resting. I'll stay with you."

I looked out the window and said nothing.

The car stopped in front of the villa. I stepped inside. As I passed the nursery, my footsteps faltered.

The door was open. A baby's cry drifted out.

I pushed it open.

The nursery that had sat empty for six years was now filled with baby supplies. A pink mobile hung above the crib. A crawling mat covered the floor. Bottles, diapers, and tiny clothes were scattered everywhere.

Sienna was pacing back and forth, holding a crying baby. When she saw me, she froze for a second, then immediately offered an apologetic smile.

"Donna, I'm so sorry. Did we wake you? The babies haven't been feeling well these past two days..."

The nanny stood by the window holding the other child. Both babies were crying in unison.

Matteo stepped up behind me. After several seconds of silence, he explained, "There's a leak in her upstairs apartment that's being repaired. She has nowhere to stay for now, so I told them to move in here for a few days."

I did not turn around. I stared at the carefully arranged nursery.

Back then, he had said that when we had a child, this room would become the nursery. He said we would paint it light blue. Whether it was a boy or a girl, they would love the color of the sky.

For six years, the room had remained empty. Now it was finally occupied by children, except they were not mine.

"It's fine," I said. "Empty is empty anyway."

Sienna carried the baby over, her face filled with guilt. "Donna, I'm truly sorry for troubling you. Once my apartment is fixed, I'll move out. We won't stay long."

I said nothing more and turned upstairs.

That night at dinner, Matteo suddenly brought it up. "Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.

"Seven beautiful years," he said. "I've arranged for dinner to be prepared at the seaside villa. We'll stay there for a few days. Just the two of us."

He looked at me, his eyes gentle. "I'll transfer that villa to your name. It's yours from now on."

Sienna was feeding the baby. At his words, she looked up and smiled. "Mr. Bellandi, you're so good to Donna. Seven years of marriage and still this loving. It's enviable."

She looked at me, mockery glinting in her eyes.

I smiled too and said nothing.

After dinner, I returned to the bedroom. When I came out of the shower, there was a new message on my phone.

It was a photo from Sienna.

In the photo was the living room of the seaside villa. On the coffee table lay a document. The words "Property Ownership: Sienna Vale" were clearly visible.

There was only one caption beneath it: "The house he promised you doesn't necessarily belong to you."

I stared at the photo for several seconds. Then I turned off my phone and lay down to sleep.

The next morning, before Matteo left, he kissed my forehead. "Wait for me."

I nodded and watched him walk away.