The next day, Matteo sent my wedding gown over—it was pink.

Vivianne loved pink, whereas I had always loved white. Even still, I accepted the dress with a smile.

"This was tailor-made according to Viv's preferences. If you don't like it…" he began.

I shook my head. "No. The dress looks good in pink, too."

Matteo was taken aback as his brows knitted together. "Are you sure you are okay with it?"

I nodded.

Satisfied, he then bobbed his head. With a sigh, he said, "If you were this obedient from the start, we would have married a year ago. You also wouldn't have had to go to the Behavioral Correction Center for reform. Get some rest. I want you to be at your best at our wedding tomorrow."

He left the room while I stayed seated at my bedside.

Every inch of the pink wedding gown was studded in diamonds and pearls that shimmered brightly.

It should have been a dream come true for me, yet I only stared at it calmly and with little emotion.

The door opened, revealing Vivianne in a pink lace dress. The envy in her eyes was obvious.

"Vanessa," Vivianne said with a grin, though her tone was sharp. "You don't actually believe the Giovannis would let you be Matteo's wife, do you?"

She came closer to me and lowered her voice before continuing, "A woman who's been in a place like that would only ever be a stain on her family's reputation."

"You're right." I looked up with a calm expression, taking her aback.

She was unnerved by how calm I was, having expected me to refute her and be in hysterics.

Yet, I did nothing of the sort.

Vivianne lifted her chin up and sneered. "You should've died in that place. There was no need for you to return home at all."

She then took out a pair of scissors. "Everything should've been mine from the start."

The sounds of the pearls falling to the floor were crisp and clear. My pink wedding gown was cut open again and again.

Vivianne cackled like a madwoman. "Everyone's going to think you ruined your own wedding dress out of dislike, and the wedding will be called off.

"What will Matteo think of you by then? How about Mom and Dad?" she commented gleefully.

I gazed at her, saying nothing.

She grew more irritated seeing how silent I was, hissing. "They'll even toss you back into that place!"

I gently shook my head. "Let them do so then."

She was stunned.

I got up, adding softly, "You actually don't need to worry at all. This wedding, Mom and Dad, Matteo—I don't want any of this at all."

Vivianne sneered. "What do you mean?"

I met her gaze. "I won't be going to tomorrow's wedding."

She stopped giggling.

I went over to my wardrobe and pulled out my already-packed luggage case.

Vivianne was frozen to the spot. "Where are you going?"

I looked back and smiled softly at her. "I just don't want to stay here anymore."

…

It was late at night as I walked out of Sadler Manor.

I didn't bid anyone goodbye nor turn back. The house lights remained on as they were.

I had folded that pink wedding gown up and left it in my bedroom. It would be my parting gift to this family.

Goodbye, everyone.

Goodbye, my former naivete.

…

The sounds of church bells ringing echoed early next morning.

All the wedding guests sat in their seats while cameras flashed throughout the entire church.

Matteo was standing under the flowery bower with a bouquet in his hands.

Hugh leaned in from beside him and grumbled, "Who does Vanessa think she is? Does she expect us to beg her to come out?"

Matteo's brows furrowed. This was the first time he had been so uncertain.

…

As the clock ticked on, the church doors remained shut.

A sense of unease grew in his chest—it was a fuzzy and indescribable sense of fear.

Then, his assistant suddenly ran over, crying in between heavy pants. "Mr. Giovanni! Ms. Vanessa is gone!"

Everything seemed to freeze at that moment.

Matteo was stunned to the spot.

His face went completely blank for the very first time in his life.