3 Chapter 3 " Don't trouble yourself . I don't need a pity marriage for the sake of our families . " For six years , I gave him his freedom . When he wanted to drink , I'd sit with him in silence , never rushing him . If my presence was inconvenient , I would leave , waiting for his call to pick me up without complaint . When he was drunk , I cared for him with endless patience . When he wanted to go on " business trips " with his friends - chasing thrills and partying all night -I planned their itineraries , bought their tickets , and mapped their routes . I even refused when he offered to let me check his phone . I loved him , but I was terrified my status would suffocate him , so I never tried to control him . I was determined not to repeat my moth mistakes , who had pushed my father away with her suffocating expectations . I thought I had managed our relationship perfectly , that we had found a stable , harmonious balance . Before his betrayal , we were still like a couple in the first flush of love . He craved me , his hunger for me seemingly endless . But now I saw the truth - he loved me , yes . But he also loved the thrill of any woman who wasn't me , incapable of resisting temptation . Was that why he faked his illness ? For a new kind of thrill ? He'd even had the tattoo of my name on his chest covered with Carina's . Our eyes met , but there wasn't a trace of love in his . The questions burning on my tongue died in my throat , leaving only silence . Dante frowned under my intense gaze . He snatched the bouquets from his men and shoved them into my arms . " Here ; he grunted , thrusting them at me . " Take them . Just take the goddamn flowers and leave . 3 Chapter 3 For a moment , Dante's expression faltered . A flicker of panic crossed his face . " Isabella ... Carina and I ... it's nothing . I still love you ." I smiled faintly .. " Alright . You go take care of my dear cousin . I'll handle my discharge papers . Go on with your business . " My words dug into him . He stiffened , then turned his head away , hiding his discomfort . His men wasted no time , slinging their arms around his shoulders and steering him away . " Come on , Dante , Carina's waiting . She almost died for you - unlike some people who give a little blood and think it buys them a wedding . She'll get jealous if you're not back soon . Besides , we've got some new talent lined up for you tonight ! " " Isabella's just putting on an act . She'll come crawling back . Women are all the same . You're too soft on her , boss . " Their words were meant to hurt , but I felt nothing . Only a cold numbness , as if I were standing on the frozen Hudson River in the dead of winter , cut off from all warmth forever . With Dante gone , I called the only housekeeper I trusted at the penthouse to help me pack . One by one , the custom gowns , the photo albums , the decorations - all of it disappeared . And with them , the fragile dream of a shared future peeled away , revealing the brutal truth . The housekeeper stared at the bare , sterile apartment and hesitated . " Principessa Isabella , all of this was for the wedding . Are you really giving up on it ? " " Yes , " I replied , my voice calm and detached . " The groom is dead , I said , my voice flat . " This is all for a funeral . At my words , her hands trembled , and she dared not say more , wedding photos and the Moretti family engagement ring . arefully disposing of the Once the apartinent was stripped bare , I stood at the threshold with my suitcase . 1 looked at the once - familiar door and , from my phone , deleted my fingerprint and iris data from the lock . From this moment on , this was no longer my home .