Augusto’s footsteps stopped for the briefest moment when he saw Serafina.

His eyes locked onto her.

Only one day had passed, yet she looked different.

Thinner.

More fragile.

The exhaustion on her face was impossible to hide. Even the careful makeup she wore couldn’t completely cover the weariness in her eyes.

Serafina was equally surprised.

She had never expected to see Augusto here, inside this quiet gallery belonging to the Ricci Family.

“What are you doing here?”

Augusto walked toward her, his voice low and demanding.

Serafina’s expression remained calm.

“What does that have to do with you?”

She stepped back, deliberately creating distance between them.

Her eyes were no longer filled with dependence or affection.

They were cold.

Strange.

That unfamiliar gaze pierced straight through Augusto’s chest.

Before he could speak, Dante moved.

He stepped between them, blocking Augusto’s path.

“Apologies, Don Marchetti.”

His tone was polite, but his meaning was clear.

“The gallery is closed. We are no longer accepting visitors tonight.”

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

Ceciliana’s smile faded slightly.

She placed a hand against her collarbone before gently holding Augusto’s arm.

“Weren’t we here to discuss the touring exhibition?”

Augusto’s jaw tightened.

He forced himself to look away from Serafina.

“Hmm.”

Ceciliana lifted her chin.

Her confidence returned.

“Signor Ricci, I heard Arturo is preparing a tour across the Old World.”

“The Montanari Family would be honored to participate in the curation.”

Dante glanced at Serafina.

“The curator has already been chosen.”

“Miss Colombo’s understanding of Arturo’s work perfectly matches his vision.”

Augusto’s expression changed instantly.

His hands clenched at his sides.

“When was this decided?”

“Just now.”

Dante answered casually.

A faint smile appeared in his eyes.

Augusto forced himself to remain calm.

He cleared his throat.

“Serafina has never managed an exhibition overseas.”

“Giving her responsibility for a tour of the Old World may be too much.”

“It would be better to choose an experienced team familiar with that environment.”

Ceciliana covered her lips and laughed softly.

“Isn’t Serafina the one who just left her previous position?”

“An independent curator leading such an important exhibition abroad…”

She shook her head.

“Sometimes talent isn’t the only thing that matters.”

“Connections and protection can make a much bigger difference.”

Dante ignored the hidden insult.

“True ability has nothing to do with background.”

“I trust Miss Colombo completely.”

Then he took out a document from his jacket and handed it directly to Serafina.

“Come to Beaumont.”

“Arturo personally approved your interpretation.”

“He named you as the person responsible for this tour.”

Serafina froze.

Dante continued.

“From now on, you will oversee the entire arrangement.”

Then his gaze shifted toward Ceciliana.

More specifically, toward the bracelet on her wrist.

“As expected of something unique.”

“The Montanari matriarch truly treasures her daughter.”

“Even the engraving says ‘to my love.’”

“A gift like this is impossible to replace.”

Ceciliana’s fingers trembled slightly.

She quickly hid her hand behind her back.

Her smile remained perfect.

Almost.

“It’s just a simple bracelet.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

But the slight stiffness in her expression revealed the truth.

Serafina lowered her eyes.

Then, without hesitation, she signed the agreement.

She handed it back to Dante.

The moment Augusto saw that, his expression darkened.

He slowly took out a sterilizing wipe.

One motion.

Then another.

He carefully cleaned his hands before reaching toward her.

He grabbed her wrist.

“Come home with me.”

Serafina immediately struggled.

“Let go.”

She forcefully pulled her hand away.

“Don Marchetti, have some dignity.”

“Serafina.”

Augusto’s fingers tightened.

His knuckles turned white.

“Stop making this into a scene.”

“Do you really need to embarrass me in front of everyone?”

Dante’s voice turned cold.

“Take your hand off Miss Colombo.”

“You’re making her uncomfortable.”

Augusto’s eyes sharpened.

“This is between me and her.”

“It has nothing to do with you.”

But Dante stepped forward.

He grabbed Augusto’s arm and pulled him aside.

His voice lowered.

“Don’t forget, Augusto.”

“If I had returned sooner, I would be the one standing beside her now.”

His thumb brushed over the old scar on his forearm.

A trace of guilt flashed through Augusto’s eyes.

But he still refused to let go.

“You made your choice.”

“So who is responsible for that?”

The tension between them reached its peak.

Then suddenly, Serafina’s heel snapped.

Her body lost balance.

She fell forward.

Dante reacted immediately.

He caught her before she hit the ground.

At the same moment, his thumb stopped against the scar on his wrist.

“Let go of her!”

Augusto’s voice turned harsh.

But before anything else could happen, Ceciliana suddenly gasped.

“Ah…”

She raised a hand to her forehead.

Her body swayed.

“I feel dizzy…”

Augusto turned instantly.

Without hesitation, he released Serafina.

He rushed toward Ceciliana and caught her.

“What happened?”

Meanwhile, Dante kept one hand steady around Serafina’s arm.

“Are you hurt?”

Serafina shook her head.

“Thank you.”

She quietly removed her broken heels and held them in her hand.

Augusto supported Ceciliana while looking back at her.

His voice was cold.

“Come with me now.”

“I’ll pretend nothing happened.”

“But if you refuse…”

His eyes darkened.

“Then we are truly finished.”

Every word cut into Serafina.

But she forced herself to stand straight.

She lifted her chin.

“We were already finished.”

“There is nothing left between us.”

She looked at Ceciliana.

“Go take care of Miss Montanari.”

Ceciliana tightened her grip on Augusto’s sleeve.

“Augusto…”

Her voice was soft and weak.

“I’m tired.”

“Take me home.”

Augusto immediately nodded.

The tenderness in his expression was something Serafina had never received.

Not even once.

Before leaving, he looked back at her.

His gaze was sharp.

Almost threatening.

“Don’t regret this.”

Then he walked away with Ceciliana.

Only after their figures disappeared did Serafina finally release the breath she had been holding.

All her strength seemed to leave her body.

“Are you all right?”

Dante’s voice came gently.

Serafina forced a small smile.

“I’m fine.”

“I guess today just wasn’t a good day for heels.”

“Wait here.”

Dante turned and left.

A few minutes later, he returned with a shoebox.

“I noticed your shoes were hurting you earlier.”

“So I found something more comfortable.”

He opened the box.

A pair of simple flat shoes rested inside.

Without hesitation, Dante crouched down.

“I’ll help you put them on.”

Serafina’s face immediately turned warm.

She stepped back.

“No need.”

“I can do it myself.”

Dante didn’t insist.

He only extended his arm.

“Then let me help you stand.”

Serafina hesitated.

Then she lightly held onto him.

She changed into the flat shoes.

The soft soles wrapped around her feet perfectly.

For the first time in a long while, she felt comfortable.

Safe.

“They fit?”

Dante asked.

Serafina lowered her eyes.

“They’re perfect.”

“Thank you.”

Warm tears suddenly slipped down her cheeks.

She was crying.

Because of a pair of shoes.

But she knew why.

She remembered the old Serafina.

The girl mocked by Augusto’s men because she was too short to keep up with his pace.

The girl who always followed behind him.

The girl who smiled at gifts she didn’t like just because she wanted peace.

The girl who once fought against every injustice without fear.

The girl who ran barefoot through the grass.

The girl who loved anything bright and beautiful.

That was who she used to be.

The real Serafina.

Only now did she understand how much Augusto had changed her.

He had slowly erased her boundaries.

Broken down her pride.

Then rebuilt her into the person he wanted.

A woman who depended on him.

A woman who forgot how to breathe without him.

A woman trapped in endless sadness.

But now…

A small sense of relief appeared in her heart.

At least she had found herself again before it was too late.

“The work here is finished.”

Dante turned away.

“Go home and rest.”

He walked ahead.

Quietly.

Protecting her from behind.

Protecting the fragile part of her that she had finally begun to reclaim.

When the news came from the Ricci art division that she had been selected, Serafina pressed her phone against her chest, unable to believe what she had just heard.

The opportunity to work with Arturo’s collection, the artist she had admired for years, and to oversee his works as they traveled through the Old World, felt almost unreal.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was standing beneath sunlight again.

But before she could fully enjoy that feeling, a cold message appeared on her screen.

[Take your belongings before 8 a.m. tomorrow. I won’t wait after that.]

The words struck her harder than she expected.

Serafina leaned against the window of the bus, staring at the message.

Her finger hovered over the screen.

There was only one person in the entire city who would still be able to send her messages after she had blocked every possible way of contacting her.

Augusto.

No one else had that kind of arrogance.

Without hesitation, she replied.

[Throw them away.]

After sending it, her chest tightened.

The air around her felt heavy.

Bitter.

She got off the bus one stop earlier than planned.

She needed to walk.

She needed the cold air to clear the chaos inside her.

But as she moved through the quiet streets, she slowly noticed something.

Footsteps behind her.

Soft.

Careful.

Yet impossible to ignore.

Serafina stopped suddenly and turned around.

The alley behind her was empty.

Only a stray cat slipped past the corner, disappearing into the darkness.

She stood there for a moment before continuing.

When the familiar light of her father’s storefront finally appeared ahead, she quietly released a breath of relief.

But before she could reach the door, a hand suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into the shadows.

“Did Dante tell you anything?”

Augusto’s hands locked around her shoulders.

His grip was so tight it hurt.

It felt as if he wanted to crush every bit of distance between them.

Serafina frowned in confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

The pain made her instinctively struggle.

“Are you crazy?”

Augusto stared at her face.

He searched for any sign that she was lying.

But when he realized she truly knew nothing, the tension in his expression slowly eased.

Without saying anything, he reached inside his coat.

He took out a small bottle.

A drop of sterilizing alcohol fell onto his hands.

Slowly.

Carefully.

He wiped the exact places where he had touched her.

As if he needed to erase the trace of her skin.

Serafina watched silently.

Her heart felt colder than before.

“The Arturo exhibition.”

Augusto’s voice remained firm.

“Don’t accept it.”

“I’ll pay whatever compensation is required for breaking the agreement.”

Serafina looked at him.

“Why?”

Her voice was quiet.

“Why should I?”

“Your body has only just recovered.”

“You’re not ready for something this exhausting.”

Augusto paused.

“Ceciliana is more suitable.”

For a moment, Serafina couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Was he pretending to worry about her?

Or was he simply clearing the way for Ceciliana to take another thing that belonged to her?

The anger in her chest burned.

“Let me make this clear one last time.”

“We are over.”

“You have no right to decide my future anymore.”

Augusto’s expression changed.

He had always been able to push her to the edge with a single sentence.

But this time, she didn’t break.

Instead, she looked at him with disappointment.

“Why did you suddenly leave me?”

His fingers tightened around her shoulders again.

“It can’t only be because I asked you to clean yourself before bed.”

“I did that because I cared about you.”

The memory returned instantly.

The cold water.

The sharp smell of disinfectant.

The blood.

The fear.

The moment she called him and waited for him to save her.

Serafina’s eyes reddened.

She interrupted him.

“Do you know that I almost died that day?”

“In that disinfectant you claimed was for my own good?”

“I was lying there waiting for you.”

“Calling you.”

“Begging you.”

“And where were you?”

Augusto’s expression froze.

A trace of guilt crossed his eyes.

For the first time, he couldn’t answer.

Serafina looked at him.

“Do you still not understand?”

Her voice trembled, not because she wanted to forgive him.

Because she was exhausted.

“You were always selfish.”

“You never saw me as a person.”

“You saw me as something that belonged to you.”

“Someone who would always wait.”

“Someone who would always forgive.”

She swallowed the pain in her throat.

“But what I achieved was never yours to control.”

“Just like now.”

“You make decisions.”

“You give orders.”

“But you never once ask what I want.”

Augusto’s face slowly changed.

“You never loved me the way I needed.”

“You only loved being loved by me.”

“That’s why you believed you could hurt me over and over again.”

“Your concern was never about me.”

“It was just an excuse to take away everything Ceciliana wanted.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“I once thought all of this was worth enduring.”

“Because I loved you.”

“But now…”

She looked directly at him.

“I don’t love you anymore.”

“And without that…”

“You mean nothing to me.”

The words landed like a blade.

Augusto stood frozen.

He could accept anger.

He could accept her crying.

He could accept her accusing him.

But he never imagined Serafina would look at him with such absolute determination.

“You were the one who came to me first.”

His voice became unstable.

“You were the one who said you would never leave.”

“And now you think you can just walk away?”

His eyes turned red.

His hands tightened around her shoulders.

He was losing control.

Serafina felt tears gathering in her eyes.

Yes.

She had loved him first.

Yes.

She had once promised she would stay forever.

But that promise was never permission for him to destroy her.

She pushed him away.

He didn’t move.

So she bit down hard on his arm.

Augusto hissed from the pain.

But he still refused to release her.

He pulled her closer.

His voice broke.

“I’m sorry.”

“I was wrong.”

“Please forgive me.”

“I swear I won’t hurt you again.”

Tears streamed down Serafina’s face.

But this time, she did not surrender.

She stepped back.

She forced herself free from his hands.

“You still don’t understand what you did wrong.”

“You’re not afraid of hurting me.”

“You’re afraid of losing control.”

“You’re afraid of losing someone who used to obey everything you said.”

She stared into his eyes.

“The moment you chose Ceciliana…”

“Was the moment everything between us ended.”

Augusto’s pupils trembled.

Those words finally broke through the wall he had built around himself.

His grip loosened for a second.

Only a second.

But it was enough.

Serafina moved.

Her knee struck him hard.

Augusto bent forward from the pain.

She immediately pulled away.

Behind her, his broken voice called her name.

Again.

Again.

But she never turned around.

She only ran.

Farther.

Faster.

Toward a life where she no longer belonged to anyone but herself.

Augusto stood beneath the streetlight, watching Serafina’s figure disappear into the darkness.

He did not move.

Not until she was completely gone.

Only then did something inside him finally snap.

A violent wave of anger surged through his chest.

He turned and punched the brick wall beside him.

The impact split his knuckles instantly.

Blood dripped down his fingers.

But for the first time in years, Augusto did nothing.

He didn’t reach for the small bottle of sterilizing alcohol he always carried.

He didn’t wipe away the blood.

He didn’t care.

No one was there to see it.

No one was there to ask why the man who hated even the slightest stain was standing there with his hands covered in his own blood.

His phone vibrated.

A message from Ceciliana appeared.

[Want to have a drink?]

Augusto stared at the screen for several seconds.

His mind was still filled with Serafina’s final words.

But his anger was stronger.

He replied.

[Where?]

Not long after, they arrived at one of the Family’s private clubs.

It was a quiet place reserved for people with power.

The guards lowered their heads when Augusto entered.

The bartender immediately prepared his usual drink without needing an order.

Ceciliana sat across from him, slowly swirling the wine in her glass.

“If you ask me…”

“She’s just been spoiled by you for too long.”

Augusto remained silent.

The ice in his glass slowly melted.

Ceciliana continued.

“She knows you’ll always forgive her.”

“She knows you’ll always come back.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“She would never really leave you.”

Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder.

“If it wasn’t because of you, do you really think she could ever stand against me?”

Augusto didn’t respond.

At that moment, his phone vibrated.

The name displayed on the screen made his eyes narrow.

Serafina.

For a second, his irritation disappeared.

Then a strange confidence appeared in his gaze.

Of course.

She couldn’t hold on for long.

She was finally calling him.

Apologizing.

Admitting she was wrong.

Augusto answered.

But there was no voice.

Only the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

His brows slowly furrowed.

“Cat got your tongue?”

His voice carried a hint of cold mockery.

But on the other end of the call, Serafina was unable to answer.

Her hair was being pulled tightly backward.

Bruno Salvatore’s hand twisted painfully against her scalp.

She bit down on her lip, refusing to cry.

But a broken sound still escaped.

The man snatched the phone from her hand.

“Don Augusto Marchetti?”

His voice was rough and arrogant.

“I’ve heard plenty about you.”

“The great Don of the Marchetti Family.”

He laughed.

“But I don’t understand one thing.”

“If you’re really that powerful…”

“Why haven’t you settled your future father-in-law’s debt?”

A toothpick rolled between his teeth.

“Carlo Colombo owes money.”

“And debts always have to be paid.”

Augusto’s expression changed.

His grip tightened around the phone.

“How much?”

“Five hundred thousand.”

Bruno’s voice was full of amusement.

“Cash.”

“Or don’t blame me when things get ugly.”

“People who owe us money have a habit of disappearing into the sea.”

Augusto’s eyes turned cold.

His bloody fingers tightened.

“Let me speak to her.”

“Let Serafina speak to me herself.”

For several seconds, only chaos came through the phone.

Then Carlo’s desperate voice sounded.

“Please…”

“Please don’t hurt her…”

The next second.

A scream.

A scream filled with unbearable pain.

Augusto’s heart stopped.

Then Serafina’s voice came.

Weak.

Shaking.

Broken.

“Augusto…”

“My father…”

“He got into trouble again…”

“Please…”

Her breath trembled.

“Please help us.”

“I’ll pay you back.”

“I promise.”

That single word.

Please.

It pierced through every defense Augusto had built.

Hours ago, Serafina had stood before him with cold eyes.

She had told him he meant nothing.

She had walked away without looking back.

But now…

She was asking him for help.

She was still turning to him when she had nowhere else to go.

The anger inside him vanished.

Only pain remained.

He opened his mouth.

But before he could answer, Ceciliana’s hand covered his.

“Augusto.”

Her voice was soft.

“Wait.”

“How do you know this isn’t another trick?”

Her fingers briefly touched the bracelet on her wrist.

Then she smiled.

“You know better than anyone how much you hate being deceived.”

Augusto froze.

“But…”

His instinct told him to go.

To save her.

To find her.

But another voice held him back.

Ceciliana leaned closer.

Her breath brushed against his ear.

“Even if it’s real…”

“If you rush there now, she’ll only think you’ll always save her.”

“She needs to understand fear.”

“She needs to understand that you’re the only person she can rely on.”

Through the phone, Serafina’s voice continued.

Each word was weaker than the last.

Each plea pulled at his heart.

Ceciliana sensed his hesitation.

She took the phone from his hand.

“We’re both women.”

“I understand exactly what she’s doing.”

“If she wants you back, she should just admit it.”

“Why make everything so dramatic?”

Her voice sharpened.

“You hate lies more than anything, Augusto.”

On the other side, Serafina’s breathing became frantic.

“I didn’t…”

“I didn’t lie…”

“Augusto, please…”

“Just this once…”

“For the sake of…”

Her voice suddenly stopped.

The call went silent.

Augusto stared at the phone.

The unfinished sentence remained hanging in the air.

Then he remembered what Serafina had said earlier.

“You mean nothing to me.”

Those words cut deeper than anything else.

His finger moved.

He ended the call.

No explanation.

No hesitation.

No goodbye.

The room fell silent.

The liquor burned down his throat.

But it could not erase the image in his mind.

Serafina crying.

Serafina begging.

Serafina needing him.

Again and again.

Almost unconsciously, his hand moved toward the phone.

Ceciliana noticed.

She gently lifted her wine glass and touched it against his lips.

“Don’t give in.”

“This is something she needs to learn.”

Augusto’s fingers stopped.

His thoughts were a storm.

After a long silence…

He lowered his hand.

And slowly nodded.

Five hours later.

At exactly five in the morning.

The sharp ringing of his phone shattered the silence.

Augusto opened his eyes.

Still half trapped between sleep and reality, he answered.

“Hello?”

“Is this Don Augusto Marchetti?”

The voice on the other end was unfamiliar.

Cold.

Official.

“Yes.”

“Who is this?”

A strange feeling suddenly climbed up his spine.

“This is the district police department.”

The officer paused.

Then continued.

“We regret to inform you…”

“Miss Serafina Colombo entered the sea last night.”

“Her body was recovered at approximately one in the morning.”

“She was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Augusto stopped breathing.

The entire world seemed to freeze.

“Her final outgoing call…”

The officer’s voice continued.

“Was made to your number.”

“We need you to come in and assist with the investigation.”