Stepping out of the alleyway of the old town, the canvas bag pressed against my shoulder.
The corner of the diary inside pressed against my back, painful, like the unspoken grievances of the past thirteen years.
Behind me, hurried footsteps grew louder and his breath grew ever closer.
I quickened my pace, but he seized my arm. His grip was tighter than before in the bedroom, as if trying to crush my bones.
"Anna, you can't just leave like this." His voice was choked with barely perceptible sobs and his eyes were bloodshot. "I know I was wrong. Please give me a chance to explain, okay?"
I glared at him and questioned, "Explain what? Explain the ambiguous comments on your social media."
"Or explain the 'breakup fee' you gave me?"
I struggled hard and several new marks appeared on the red welts on my wrists. “Matteo, it's over between us.”
"It's not over!" he growled, drawing the attention of passersby. "It's not over until I agree!"
Just as I reached the alley corner, a white Maserati made a sharp turn and stopped abruptly in front of me. Its tires splashed through the puddles, soaking my trousers.
The car window rolled down, revealing a girl with delicate makeup. The girl wore a bold, striking red lipstick, her eyes filled with undisguised hostility.
"You're Ariana Schultz?" she spoke, her voice both arrogant and provocative.
I recognized her, she was "Matteo's Little Baby", the one who left a comment Matteo's Instagram post. Yvette O'Brien, the investor's daughter Matteo had mentioned.
She got out of the car in ten-centimeter heels and walked straight up to me.
Gazing at me up and down, as if examining a worthless old object. "You're not even that good-looking, no wonder Matteo chose me."
She shook the huge diamond ring on her wrist and said, "He picked this out with me last week. He said once he wraps up his current things, we'll get engaged."
She then naturally took Matteo's arm.
Her eyes, filled with the triumphant provocation, swept over the spot we were holding hands.
Matteo instinctively tried to shake her hand off, but she held it firmly.
She smiled charmingly, but her tone was sharp. "Miss Schultz, Matteo and I are getting married next week. We originally wanted to send you the invitation in person, but I didn't expect to run into you here."
Seeing the man's expression freeze instantly, the last glimmer of hope in my heart vanished completely.
It wasn't a misunderstanding after all.He had already made his choice and I was just deceiving myself.
I pulled my hand away from his, straightened the rumpled hem of my clothes and spoke calmly, as if I were talking about someone else's business.
"Congratulations to both of you. But I'm not here to offer congratulations, I'm just here to get my things back."
I pointed to the canvas bag on my shoulder and continued. "Now that I've got everything, I won't disturb your good time."
With that, I turned and left, not wanting to see them again.
"Ariana!" He tried to chase after me, but Yvette stopped him.
She raised her voice, deliberately making sure I could hear. "Matteo, don't chase after her. She is so understanding. She certainly won't make a fuss. After all, you're my fiancé now. We can't let others gossip and affect the reputation of our wedding, can we?"
She paused for a moment, then added. "Besides, what does thirteen years matter? When it comes to relationships, timing is everything. All those years she spent with you were just because you hadn't met the right person yet. Now that you've met me, you should naturally cherish the person in front of you, shouldn't you?"
I didn't stop walking, but my eyes instantly welled up with tears.
What "met the right person"? It's just that she had a father who could pave the way for Matteo.
He said he only had eyes for me, but faced with reality, he chose the easier way.
