Matteo’s stiff voice sounded from behind. "Stop talking nonsense, Yvette!"
"What nonsense did I say?" Yvette's voice was filled with grievance.
"Didn't you promise me? My dad invested in the Fiery Devils esports team and you promised to marry me after you come back. Wasn't that what you promised?"
I didn't hear the rest of her words, so I quickened my pace and got into a taxi that happened to pass by.
The moment I closed the door, I finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears, burying my face in the seat.
The driver was startled and handed me a pack of tissues, saying, "Young lady, are you alright? Did you encounter something difficult?"
I shook my head, choking back tears and gave him a hotel address.
Outside the car window, the evening breeze swirled fallen leaves, sending them drifting away. The dim streetlights of the old town cast a long, long shadow of me, like a piece of time abruptly cut off.
After what seemed like ages, my phone buzzed.
It was a text message from Matteo, Yvette probably hadn't kept an eye on him.
[Anna, believe me, I only have you in my heart. Once I've sorted everything out, I'll definitely come find you and explain everything.]
I read the message and smirked.
I pressed the delete button, then dragged his number into my blacklist.
Fake or real—what difference did it make?
Thirteen years together meant nothing for a deal of benefit. Some wounds, once inflicted, could never be undone.
Soon, the taxi stopped at the hotel entrance and I wiped away my tears before getting off with my canvas bag.
The evening breeze brushed against my face, carrying a hint of coolness and also dispelling the last bit of wetness in my eyes.
From today on, Matteo no longer existed in Ariana Schultz's world.
The hotel room faced the street and at night, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks could be heard.
I set the canvas bag down on the bedside table.
The diary lay buried at the very bottom, like a memory I wished would stay forgotten.
I had just finished washing up and lay down when there was a knock on the door.
I thought it was hotel service, but when I opened the door, I saw Matteo standing outside.
His hair was soaking wet from the rain. He wasn't wearing his daytime hoodie. His white shirt was mostly drenched, clinging to his body and outlining his tall, slender figure.
"How did you find this place?" I frowned, instinctively reaching to close the door.
He immediately held the door handle so tightly to prevent me from closing the door.
"I asked the taxi driver and he told me you came to this hotel." His eyes pleaded. "Anna, just give me ten minutes to finish what I have to say."
"I have nothing to listen to," I responded coldly.
"You should go back and accompany your fiancée instead of pestering me here."
"It's not what you think between us!" His voice trembled with anxiety.
"She said those things on purpose, just to force you to leave."
"What about the bank card?" I retorted.
"You used my birthday as the pin, threw me a card and told me not to bring up the past anymore. Did she force you to do that too?"
His face turned pale and his Adam's apple rolled slightly.
“Back then, I was feared staying with me would only make your life harder. Our team ran out of funds and Yvette’s father agreed to invest only if I got engaged to his daughter. I had no other choice but to go along with it for the time being. The money I sent you was meant to help you live better—not to end things between us.”
His voice softened, with a hint of imperceptible fragility.
"Anna, you've suffered too much with me over the years and I don't want you to live in a suffer anymore with me."
"So this is how you chose to push me away?"
I smiled, but my eyes held no warmth. "Matteo, do you think just because you say 'I had no choice,' I should unconditionally forgive you?"
"No, give me some more time." His voice trembled with anxiety.
"I just want to stabilize the situation first. Once the team overcomes this difficulty, I'll break off the engagement with her. Anna, please give me a little more time, okay?"
"More time?" I smirked.
"Haven't I given you enough time?"
"From middle school to now, thirteen years."
"I waited for you to win the championship, for you to keep your promise, for you to take me back to Syrena. But what did I get in return?"
Just then, the click-clack of high heels echoed from the end of the corridor.
Yvette, carrying a delicate handbag, strode over.
She strode straight to us and affectionately took Matteo's arm, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance.
"Matteo, so you were here! I've been looking for you for a long time."
She looked at me, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Miss Schultz hasn't left yet? What, still here? Are you reluctant to part with my fiancee and want to try again?"
"Yvette, don't talk nonsense," the man said as he tried to push her away, but she held him tightly.
She seemed not to hear and continued. "Miss Schultz, I advise you to give up now."
"Matteo and I are getting married next week and the wedding invitations have already been sent out. Besides, what he needs now is someone who can help him, not someone like you who only burden him."
"Burden?" I looked at Matteo, waiting for him to refute.
But he only frowned and said, "Yvette, say less."
There was no denial, no defense, not even a trace of remorse.
I was completely heartbroken at that moment.
