"Your love makes me sick." Those were the final words my husband, Vittorio De Luca, left me in my past life.

On our wedding day, Elara Hale had crashed my ceremony, begging Vittorio to run away with her. But he chose to stay by my side. Yet, when Elara died of an illness shortly after, he harbored nothing but hatred for me.

He detested that I had clung to him for over a decade, forcing him into a marriage he never wanted. More than that, he loathed himself for not running away with Elara.

When I opened my eyes again, I was reborn before everything went wrong.

I looked at him, "Vittorio, I'm getting married."

He looked a bit troubled.

"You know I’m busy with a critical territorial expansion. My mind is entirely elsewhere…"

“Never mind.” I offered a faint, indifferent smile.

Relieved, Vittorio leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

"Don't worry. We've been together for twelve years. I'll do the right thing and take responsibility."

He didn’t know what I meant, but I knew what I’d do in this lifetime.

I would never choose him again, let alone marry him.

Seeing me step out of Vittorio’s office, Elara stood up from her desk at the entrance. She wore a dazzling smile.

"Isabella, why do you look so pale? Did you quarrel with Vittorio?"

I didn’t even want to talk to her and just brushed past her, intending to leave.

"Isabella!"

Elara called out to me, her tone dripping with unsolicited advice.

"You'll be thirty next year. Don’t act as willful as a spoiled girl. Vespera Capital still hasn't budged an inch on the financing and Vittorio had been agonizing over it. Even if you can't help him, at least don't distract him at a critical time like this."

I frowned slightly, my gaze calm but piercing as I looked at her.

"Elara, you have to know this company is established by Vittorio and me. He might tolerate your presence, but I can easily have you removed."

"You…" Elara momentarily froze up. She hadn't expected me to be so ruthless. Stunned for a moment, she quickly shifted to a pitiful tone.

"I was just trying to give you some advice. You don't have to take it to heart. But why do you have to drive me out of…"

"Do I have the guts?" I arched my eyebrows.

Vittorio walked out, his voice laced with a cold reprimand.

"Isabella, she’s just a little girl, new to the city and all alone. Even if she said something improper, why can't you be a little more understanding?"

I almost laughed out loud. A little girl? Elara was only three months younger than me. A sharp, bitter sting rushed to my eyes. I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Vittorio, I’ll give you the last chance. She leaves, or I do."

"Isabella Falcone, don't be unreasonable." Vittorio snapped.

I froze and tried to rack my brain, but I couldn't remember the last time he had called me by my full name.

"Isabella, don’t get me wrong. We're just childhood friends." Elara pleaded, her eyes reddening as she looked at Vittorio pitifully.

"Vittorio, I knew Isabella has been coddled her whole life, just let her have her way. Don't wrangle with her over me. I've been used to reading the room since I was little. I can take a new job. As long as Isabella is happy, I'll pack my things and leave…"

"Elara!"

Vittorio couldn't hide the flash of heartache in his eyes. I just offered a hollow smile and walked straight out. It wasn't until I stepped out of the headquarters that I realized my vision had blurred. I wiped the tears away carelessly, pulled out my phone, and dialed.

"Mom…"

I suppressed the tremor in my voice.

"Please tell grandfather. I want to enter into a business marriage."

"What?"

My mother sounded thrilled, but quickly caught herself.

"Wait, what about Vittorio you've been with for years?"

"He's gone."

She let out a heavy sigh.

"When are you planning to return home?"

"In about two weeks."

Hanging up, I looked back at the towering skyscraper and felt a sense of bitterness. I gave Vittorio the chance before, but he never valued it. Now that he chose to cast me aside, I would do the same to him.

The next day, I slept in until noon and only headed to the headquarters afterward to hand in my resignation. Unexpectedly, as I walked from the design department to HR, colleagues kept congratulating me. Serena Russo, the HR manager, dragged me into her office the second I arrived.

"Spill it. Are you and Vittorio finally tying the knot?" She wore that classic gossip-hungry look.

"What?" I was completely bewildered.

As a founding member, Serena never beat around the bush with me, always said what's on her mind.

"Don't tell me you're still hiding it. Vittorio is making such a massive spectacle. Who doesn't know he's going to propose to you?"

I frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

She slapped a hand over her mouth.

"You have no idea at all? Could it be that Vittorio is planning a surprise for you? Someone just saw a florist delivering flowers to him downstairs. The entire trunk of his car was stuffed with pink roses! It's not your birthday and anniversary. If it's not a proposal, what else could it be?"

Pink roses reminded me of the arrival of Elara two months ago. Vittorio had bought pink roses to pick her up from the airport. My finger dug silently into my palm. I pressed my lips together, staying silent. Serena glanced down at my hand.

"What's that?"

"I'm here for resignation."

"I knew it!"

Her eyes lit up with realization. "Vittorio is definitely proposing to you. You're already preparing to step back and be a devoted wife. Come on! Let me sign your papers."

"Alright, that’s a valid way to look at it."

I didn't bother explaining and handed her the documents.

Serena grumbled, "Why didn’t Vittorio give me a heads-up beforehand. Now I'm scrambling to find a replacement for your position on such short notice."

She finished signing and handed the papers back to me.

"Just get his signature on it, and you're done."

Then, she gazed at me, wearing a soft smile.

"Isabella, I’m not sure whether returning to the family is the correct path, but as your old friend, I really wish you happiness. I hope Vittorio doesn't let you down."

"Thank you. I will be happy." I nodded but told myself, “My well-being is completely independent of Vittorio from now on.”

I pushed the door open and found Elara sitting right on Vittorio's lap. She shot me a smug glance.

"Oh, Isabella is here."

Vittorio jolted back immediately, keeping a clear distance from her. He looked up at me in a panic.

I spoke in a flat, emotionless tone and passed the folder right in front of him.

"Vittorio, there's a document requiring your signature."

Seeing that I wasn't tearing into him for his inappropriate intimacy with Elara, he let out a subtle sigh of relief.

"Alright. Give it to me!"

Elara made a gesture to show she was heading out. As Vittorio opened the folder, I was about to state the excuse I had prepared. Suddenly, Elara twisted her ankle and let out a sharp cry. "Ah! It hurts!"

"Elara!"

Vittorio was on his feet in a flash, ready to rush over. But, I stepped in his way.

"Sign it first. It won't take more than a few seconds."

He frowned, his patience wearing thin.

"Isabella, since when did you become so cold-blooded? Does this paper really matter?"

"Vittorio…"

Elara was crouched on the floor, weeping softly as she clutched her ankle. Vittorio’s entire world seemed to shrink down to her. Unwilling to argue with me any further, he didn't even bother glancing at what the document was. He merely scrawled his signature where I had pointed, entirely dismissive. It was exactly what I had hoped for. All I wanted was to finalize my resignation smoothly and leave Vittorio for good.

Before I could leave the headquarters, Vittorio caught up with me.

"Isabella, don't misunderstand. There's nothing between me and Elara. I'm just looking out for her because we grew up together."

He seized my arm firmly. I paused, gesturing for him to let go of my arm.

"Let me go."

"Why aren’t you mad? In the past, if I did something like this, you would have been furious…"

"But you still did it anyway, didn't you?"

I looked up and saw the sheer, unmasked panic in his eyes.

"Take it easy. I was just joking. Come home for dinner tonight?"

"I…"

He swallowed his guilt and took my hand.

"I have a business dinner tonight, but I'll definitely be home."

I forced a bitter smile. It seemed that his coming home was nothing more than a charity he was doing for me. When I got back to our penthouse, I started packing my things.

All of a sudden, I received a text from Elara.

[Look at these pink roses! All these years, Vittorio still remembers my favorite. He's even more thoughtful now than he was back then. Thank you for shaping such a perfect man for me.]

Elara even attached a photo. It was the Porsche I had picked out for him that was filled to the brim with flowers and decorated with fairy lights.

At night, Vittorio had broken his promise. He never came home. For several days, he still didn't show his face once. It wasn't until I was on the phone with Serena that she casually mentioned Vittorio had gone on another business trip. And once again, Elara was with him.

With only two days left before my departure, I was packing my luggage when Serena called again.

"Isabella, could it be that you've got the wrong address for delivery?"

"What do you mean?" I had no clue what was going on at all.

"Your wedding dress, it was delivered to the office, and the recipient is listed as you. Vittorio is truly willing to go all out with your wedding ceremony. Lumière Veil’s custom gown must have cost at least nine figures. Are you two not planning to move in together after the wedding?"

Hanging up, I rushed to the headquarters. When I opened the box, I was completely stunned. It was my size, but…Vittorio had never intended to marry me. Just as I was puzzled by the dress, my mother's call came through.

"Did you receive the dress? The Moretti is taking your marriage to Dante Moretti so seriously. I told them you wouldn't be back for a few more days, but they've already started preparing for your wedding. They insisted on sending the wedding dress over to you first, so you can test the fit and style ahead of time. Just feel free to let them know any requests you might have. This is what Dante’s mother told me.”

I pressed my lips together, "I don't have any demands. Just handle it however you see fit."

"Wedding?"

Vittorio's voice suddenly echoed from behind me.

"What wedding?"

My heart skipped a beat. I hung up the phone instantly.

"You're back from your trip?"

Vittorio avoided my gaze, clearly guilty. Then, he glanced at the wedding dress draped over the sofa. His brow furrowed in annoyance.

"Isabella, I told you I have no mind for a wedding right now. Can you stop pushing me?"

He paused. "Just give me a little more time. I swear I'll marry you."

A faint chuckle escaped my lips. I was dying to ask him what made him assume I'd marry a person who has no love for me. Yet, I ultimately held back and said nothing.

"My college roommate is getting married. She just mistakes the shipping address for her dress."

Vittorio let out a long, audible sigh of relief. I picked up the dress and walked straight out the door. That night, I picked up a marker and crossed off another day on the calendar. Tomorrow was Vittorio's birthday, and it was also the final day I got to stay by his side.

Early the next morning, Serena's phone call woke me up.

"Isabella, I know you're busy with wedding, but you can’t abandon the company! Ask Vittorio to get back to the office. There's a mountain of paperwork waiting for his signature!"

She rattled on and on, not intending to pause at all.

"There is one more thing. I heard that Dante Moretti, the president of Vespera Capital, was about to get married next week. Vittorio had better find a way to get an invitation and show his face. If Dante Moretti gives his nod, our IPO is absolutely guaranteed."

"Wait." I interrupted her.

I had been distracted by a gnawing stomachache, but her words jolted me awake. "Who did you say was the president of Vespera Capital?"

"Dante Moretti!"

Serena sighed in admiration.

"He's a true silver-spoon heir. We're entirely at Vespera Capital's mercy for the IPO, but I heard Vespera Capital is barely even a notable business for their Group.”

The mention of Dante Moretti, Vespera Capital, and investment struck me as way too much of a coincidence.

Seeing my silence, Serena asked.

"Isabella? Are you hearing me?"

"Yes… yes, I'm listening."

I pressed my lips together.

"I'll pass everything you said on to Vittorio."

Relieved, Serena added, "Alright. Have you set a date for your wedding? I want a hard-copy invitation. Don't try to cut corners with a digital one!"

I smiled softly.

"Next week. Don't worry about the invitation. I'll hand it over myself in person."

After hanging up, I dialed Vittorio. His voice was cold.

"What’s up?"

"What are you busy with? Serena said you haven't been to the headquarters for several days."

He lowered his voice, furious.

"What do you think I'm busy with? Why did you throw paint on Elara's front door? You know she's timid and easily frightened! Isabella, since when did you become so vicious?"

I was astonished.

"Elara told you I did it, and you just believed her?"

"She has never lied to me in her entire life!" He declared self-righteously. "I'll assign someone else to handle the company."

He was about to hang up, but I stopped him.

"Are you coming home tonight?"

"Isabella, why do you have to be so unreasonable when Elara needs me the most?"

I froze.

"Today is your birthday and our sixth anniversary."

I rubbed my aching stomach gently.

"Vittorio, you promised we would spend every anniversary together."

"I…"

Vittorio hesitated, a hint of guilt creeping into his tone.

"I almost forgot."

"Isabella, I'm coming back right now. I'll pick up some pastries you love on the way."

I was about to say something when a startled scream from Elara echoed through the phone.

Vittorio was so panicked that he didn't even hang up. He immediately lowered his voice to soothe her.

"Don't be scared. I'm right here. Don't cry. I'm not going anywhere."

I hung up the phone and stared at the empty penthouse. As the hands of the clock spun around and around, the night fell as heavy and suffocating as a black curtain.

Aside from the delivery guy dropping off my takeout, there was absolute silence. I knew Vittorio wasn't coming back. At 3:00 AM, my phone lit up. It was a message from Vittorio.

[Isabella, Elara is having nightmares. I'll be back before dawn. Wait for me.]

I pushed my suitcases out the door and hailed a cab to the airport without looking back. Vittorio, this time, I wouldn’t wait for you anymore.

My belongings and my very soul would leave Vittorio today and never come back.