The Contract Ended, and So Did I

"Caro, shall we take a photo together? I want to post it on social media," Selena said, pulling out her phone and preparing to take a picture of the two of them.

Francesco hesitated for a moment. As the heir of the family, he couldn't casually post photos online. But in the next instant, he flashed a wide grin at the camera.

I smiled bitterly. We had been married for ten years, yet every time I suggested taking a photo with him, he refused.

It turned out that it wasn't impossible to bend the "no-photo-taking" rule. He just didn't want to take photos with me.

Lost in thought, I heard a waiter's voice beside me.

"Signorina, are you on your own?"

I nodded.

Selena also spotted me as the waiter spoke. Francesco froze, and a hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes. It seemed like he hadn't forgotten all the times I had invited him to this place.

He got up and walked toward me. "Since you're here, come sit with us. I had been busy with family affairs back then. I couldn't make time for you."

He pulled out a chair for me, but I shook my head and went to the seat the waiter had originally arranged for me.

"You two go ahead," I said airily. "I'm just here to eat."

Throughout the meal, Francesco kept glancing my way, obviously distracted. Still, I ignored him.

When they passed by me after their meal, he stopped beside my table and said, "Mia, your temper has improved a lot lately.

"Don't worry. As long as you behave, you'll still be the future Donna of the Greco family."

I smiled, not telling him that I was about to leave.

…

On the day of the auction, Francesco specifically sent someone to pick me up. I was about to refuse, but when I saw that one of the auction items was by Madre Greco's favorite sculptor, I changed my mind.

When Francesco entered the room with Selena, who was proudly wearing my wedding ring, everyone in Solerio's upper crust cast me mocking glances. I paid them no mind and focused entirely on the auction.

The moment the sculpture came up, my eyes lit up. I raised my paddle immediately as soon as the auctioneer began the bidding.

"Five million, once. Five million, twice. Five million, three times. Very well. Now, let us congratulate—"

Before he could finish, Selena suddenly raised her paddle. "Ten million dollars!"

I spun toward her in disbelief. She tilted her chin at me, a taunting look in her eyes. I knew she didn't care about the sculpture—she just wanted to piss me off.

Helplessly, I turned toward Francesco.

"Mia, I told you. You can choose any ring you want today," he said, looking unfazed.

"As for this sculpture, why don't you give it to Selena since she likes it?"

Affection filled his eyes as he spoke, and Selena was so delighted that she kissed him on the spot. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she looked at me.

Francesco wasn't oblivious to her schemes. He just chose to indulge her.

I suddenly remembered when he had first pursued me. He'd take me all over Solerio during the day, and at night, he'd drag me to auctions. He fought for every piece I liked or was merely curious about, even if it angered other families.

"My woman deserves everything in this world," he once said.

Now, he had walked all over me and made me become the woman whose sole existence was to highlight his affection for his new lover.