I Paid in Blood, He Paid in Regret

The moment Carlotta nodded, Demetrio almost lost himself. He pulled her into his arms and spun around with her. His voice overflowed with joy as he said, "I'll get the wedding preparations started right away."

With that, he hurriedly left.

As for me, I just wanted to leave and completely fade out of their lives. But just as I turned to walk away, Carlotta called out to me, "Lucia."

She raised her hand, showing off the ring with an exaggerated gesture. Her tone was soft but dripping with the smug satisfaction of a winner. "Don't be too upset. Demetrio just chose someone more suitable."

I stopped but didn't turn around. I simply let out a chuckle. "You think you've won?"

Finally, I turned to face her. "He didn't choose you."

Carlotta froze for a moment.

"He just got tired of me and swapped me out for a newer replacement."

My gaze drifted over her mangled hand. I felt no pity or mockery—just a vast, empty void.

"Once he's bored with you, you'll realize that no woman can truly stay by his side. I've been with him for years. What makes you so sure your relationship will last longer and be better than ours?"

For the first time, Carlotta's expression shifted.

My gaze remained cold and empty. I looked at her flustered state, but I no longer had the slightest interest in sparing her another glance.

…

On the wedding day, the Farese estate was locked down and under heavy surveillance. I tried to leave, but Demetrio had locked me in.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, adjusting his cufflinks. His voice was detached as if giving orders. "Keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't show up at the ceremony. I don't want her disrupting my wedding with Carlotta."

I pleaded, "I won't cause any trouble. Please, let me go."

He sneered, unmoved. "You dared hurt Carlotta. Why should I trust you?"

So, I was locked in the farthest room of the estate. Two bodyguards stood outside, and the room inside was as silent as a tomb.

But Demetrio didn't know that I had waited a long time for this moment. I'd been waiting for the right time to leave.

…

Not far off, the ceremony in the church continued on.

The moment the bells began to chime, the faint strains of the wedding march drifted through the air and into my ears.

I stood up and put on the simple clothes I had prepared earlier.

I walked to the window and sent a scheduled message. "Hope your wedding goes smoothly. Wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

Then, I left the phone on the table.

I didn't say goodbye, and I didn't look back.

The sunlight bathed the estate, casting light on every inch of the vast grounds.

Meanwhile, I silently slipped out the back door and vanished into the daylight, where the shadows and the voices of the crowd blurred into one.

…

Demetrio only realized something was wrong when the ceremony reached the ring exchange.

He instinctively glanced toward the estate. Panic flashed in his eyes, and his heart sank. He felt as though he had lost something crucial.

But by that time, I was already in the car, leaving the estate behind. The sun shone through the window, reflecting my calm, cold profile.

The car passed by the church. I looked out of the window toward the church, where Carlotta's smile glowed and the ring in Demetrio's hand caught the light.

None of it had anything to do with me anymore.

I whispered, as if speaking to myself, to Demetrio, and to our past, "Addio."

The white dome of the church faded in the rearview mirror, and the sound of the chimes and laughter of the wedding were left behind.

I closed my eyes.

This time, I was gone for good.