A Wilted Rose

I quickly had my eyes on a job at a library.

The pay wasn't great, but it was enough for me. Best of all, the library was in the next city, squarely on the Perez Family's territory.

In my last life, having a job of my own was all I had wanted. Now, just the thought of it filled me with hope as I boarded the bus for a new start.

Luckily, the interview went smoothly, and I was officially hired.

I worked hard to familiarize myself with the position, feeling a peace I had never known before. Finally breaking free from Carlo made me giddy.

But just as I was about to change into my uniform, Carlo called again. The second I answered, his commanding voice roared through the line.

"Rosa, where are you?!"

The good mood I had just disappeared in an instant. "What do you want?"

Carlo's voice was cold as he demanded, "So, you're not really trying to leave. You're just trying to bring my grandfather back to force me! I won't let you have your way."

When I returned to the villa owned by the Gutierrez Family, the mood was suffocating. Don Vinnie was there, his expression icy. Carlo Gutierrez glared at me in anger while Gemma stood to the side, sobbing like she was the victim. Neither of them dared to let loose their emotions with Don Vinnie around, so they had no choice but to bottle them up.

I walked in with a calm expression.

When Carlow saw me, he let out a mocking smile.

"Oh, you're finally back? You're getting more and more proficient in this, Rosa. Never expected you to drag the old-timer out to force the marriage."

Carlo said his piece, then grabbed Gemma and walked away without looking back.

I acted like I hadn't even seen them and went straight to Don Vinnie, bowing deeply to him.

This was the man my father had died to protect.

Last time, when he heard Carlo had locked me up, he sent his men to rescue me. But by then, the Gutierrez Family had already fallen under Carlo's complete control. His people never even made it through the villa's gates.

I never blamed him, though.

I only blamed myself for loving the wrong person.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me all these years, boss. Carlo and I… We really aren't right for each other. He has someone he loves, and I don't want to be involved in his mess anymore. It's better for both of us to let go now than to end up hating each other later. So, I would like to ask for our engagement to be annulled," I said gently.

Don Vinnie's face darkened, his eyes filled with various emotions. "Did Carlo force you to say that, Rosa?"

I shook my head.

With that weight finally off my shoulders, I felt lighter than I had in years.

Before leaving, I went up to the attic to pick up the only photo my mother had left me, but Gemma was blocking the stairs.

"Rosa, can you give Carlo back to me? I'm pregnant with his child. The baby needs a father."

She looked at me with red eyes, acting so fragile.

I frowned, trying to step around her.

Suddenly, Gemma flashed a twisted smile and slid a knife out of her sleeve. She grabbed my wrist, forced the handle into my hand, and then slashed her own arm with the blade.

"Ah! Help! You've gone mad, Rosa! You're trying to kill me?! It hurts! No! Save my baby!" Gemma screamed as she collapsed on the floor, blood pouring from her arm and pooling beneath her.

Carlo came running when he heard the noise. When he saw what supposedly happened, his fury exploded. He rushed over, pulled Gemma behind him, and kicked me hard in the chest.

I flew backward, tumbling down the stairs.

"Rosa! Are you mad? How dare you hurt Gamma?! People always say you were heartless. I never believed it until I saw it with my own eyes now! What do you have to say for yourself? If it weren't for you, Gemma and I would've been married by now! Why do you always have to ruin everything for us?"

Don Vinnie moved from the dining hall toward the commotion when he heard it. When Gemma saw him, she only cried louder, clutching her stomach.

Carlo pointed at me, his voice full of hatred. "Grandpa! I don't care what you say! I will never marry this vicious woman!"

Pain crushed my chest, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

I looked at Carlo, his face twisted with self-righteous anger, like he was some tragic hero fighting off a forced marriage.

I suddenly let out a chuckle as I tossed the knife at his feet.

"Enough with the drama! I'll make this clear... Starting today, you're not my fiance anymore! I've just dumped you!"