Until the Marriage Contract Ends

[Clara’s POV]

Luca had always been meticulous by nature. He demanded perfection in every detail of a banquet, especially security and food.

I called Sebastiano Ricci, the butler, over and went through the arrangements for tomorrow’s birthday celebration point by point.

"The cake can’t have nuts. Luca doesn’t like them. Use black roses for the decorations. He doesn’t like anything too ostentatious. And absolutely no cinnamon in the drinks. He’s allergic."

Sebastiano nodded as he wrote everything down. At the end, he hesitated, then asked carefully, "Madam, why are you being so thorough this time? It feels like you’re handing everything over to me for good."

I lowered my gaze.

'Yes. From now on, it will all be yours.'

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Luca. He said he had to deal with some family matters tonight and would not be coming home. He told me not to wait up.

His assistant, Matteo Vieri, delivered the bag.

What did this mean? Had Elena refused it, so he passed it on to me instead? Was this charity?

I stared at the bag for a long time, then curved my lips into a bitter smile.

Forget it. I was leaving anyway. What was the point of counting these things now?

Family matters? Or was he actually with Elena? It no longer mattered.

The next day, before the banquet began, my bespoke gown still had not arrived.

I asked Sebastiano, "When will the gown be delivered?"

Sebastiano looked confused. "Madam… the Don already took the gown."

"What?" I frowned.

As the words left my mouth, Luca pushed the door open and walked in. Elena followed behind him.

My eyes lit up instinctively. I thought he had personally brought my gown.

However, then I saw it. Elena was wearing the dress Luca had custom-made for me.

I had seen the design sketches before. Every detail had been refined to perfection. It had been prepared specifically for this birthday celebration.

Now, it was on her body.

The moment Elena saw me, she hurried over and grabbed my hand, her face full of guilt. "Clara, I’m so sorry. Champagne spilled on my dress by accident. Luca said I could borrow yours to wear. You don’t mind, right?"

I froze and looked at Luca, waiting for an explanation.

He smiled. "Let her wear yours. I’ll have someone prepare a new one for you."

Then he turned to Sebastiano. "Bring out the spare gown."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

A spare gown.

So this was it. In his heart, I was nothing more than a backup.

I took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said to Elena, "It’s fine. You can wear it."

Then I nodded at Luca. "I understand."

Luca’s phone rang suddenly. He answered it, his brows knitting slightly, as if something urgent had come up.

Seeing this, Elena immediately volunteered. "Luca, go take care of it. I’ll help Clara with her hair. I’ll make sure she steals the spotlight tonight."

Luca glanced at her, then at me, clearly hesitant.

However, whatever was happening on the other end of the call seemed pressing. In the end, he nodded.

"Alright. Elena, I’ll leave it to you."

With that, he turned and left the room.

Only Elena and I remained. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

I intended to politely decline. After all, there was no closeness between her and me.

Before I could speak, Elena let out a cold laugh and threw the comb in her hand onto the table in front of me.

"Clara, stop pretending. A daughter from a fallen family like yours is just squatting in the Donna’s seat. You don’t deserve Luca."

I froze, not expecting her mockery to be so blunt.

She continued sharply, "The three-year agreement is already up, yet you’re still refusing to leave. You really have no shame."

Her words stabbed into my heart like knives.

I straightened and answered stubbornly, "The agreement expires tomorrow. Even if you’re with him now, you’re still the other woman. Don’t worry. I’m leaving right now."

She clearly had not expected me to agree so readily. A satisfied smile spread across her face as she turned and walked out, as if victory was already hers.

After she left, I placed the already effective divorce agreement on Luca’s desk.

Then I pulled my suitcase behind me and quietly left the villa.

'Goodbye, Luca.'