Unlovable Beyond Smoke

Alicia’s wedding once made headlines across all of New Yorke. The man who put the ring on her finger was Matteo Vitale, the youngest Don of the Vitale family. She was not a socialite heiress. She was a lawyer who had won countless cases for powerful families. She was also five years older than her husband. When Matteo was thirty and at the peak of his career, Alicia was already thirty-five. Back then, Matteo told her that age would never be a problem between them. As long as she wanted him, he would never let her go for the rest of his life. But in the fifth year of their marriage, a young woman burst into her office and dropped a divorce agreement on her desk. “I heard you’re the best divorce lawyer on New Yorke’s East Side. There isn’t a divorce case you can’t win, right? “I want to hire you to help my boyfriend get a divorce from his wife. “My boyfriend says his wife is thirty-five now. She smells old. Every time he touches her, he feels sick.” She opened the divorce agreement with practiced ease. She looked first at the names, as she always did. [Husband: Matteo Vitale [Wife: Alicia Leon] Her fingers paused for a brief moment. She was Alicia Leon! Chapter 1 Alicia Leon stayed calm and looked at the young woman in front of her. She was very young, maybe twenty-two or twenty-three. She was like a flower just starting to bloom. She was bright and full of life. She was definitely the type Matteo Vitale would like. But if he was having an affair, why did he not come and talk to her himself? Why let this homewrecker barge into her office? Alicia gathered the papers in front of her and said calmly, “Divorce is something that needs to be discussed by the people involved.” Sophia Moretti leaned back in her chair and smirked. “He’s not available right now. Actually, he just doesn’t want to make a scene.” She lifted her chin and added slowly, “It’s not because he loves her. He said that when he was with his wife, she was only twenty-six. They dated for four years and were married for five. She gave him the best years of her life. Asking for a divorce now would be too cruel.” “But people have to move on.” Sophia smiled. “Especially when a man has already lost interest in his wife.” Alicia dug her fingers into her palm without making a sound. “Tell me, did he only just realize that his wife is five years older than him?” “You can’t really tell when you’re young. “But once a woman is over thirty-five, her looks, her smell, and the way she feels… it all changes. She just smells old, and it’s unpleasant for him.” She smelled old. Alicia took a deep breath. Those three words felt like they were stabbing at her lungs. She forced herself to continue, “May I ask how you met him?” Sophia looked at her smugly. “At a charity auction dinner. I made a bet with my friends that I’d have a drink with the most untouchable man in the room. I chose him.” “And did he drink it?” “He didn’t accept the drink.” Sophia smirked. “I found him later on the terrace. He was smoking while someone delivered the merger papers to your firm. The more restrained a man is, the more I want to win him.” Her tone was soft, as if she were talking about a fun game. “Coincidentally, someone spiked his drink that night. I took the chance to get into his room. “The next day, he gave me money and told me to disappear from his life. I refused. Later, I showed up whenever he let his guard down. “When he finally stopped pushing me away, I knew I had him.” Alicia fought the storm in her mind and asked, “When did you sleep with him for the first time?” Sophia gave her a date. Alicia felt her heart skip a beat. That date hit her like a poisoned ice pick and stabbed straight into her chest. It was the same day as her father’s funeral. She had waited for him all night at the funeral home. He arrived late, exhausted, and held her as he apologized. He said there had been an emergency at the family’s port, and he had to handle it personally. The so-called emergency was another woman. Sophia said tauntingly, “Over time, he wanted me more and more. I figured his wife wasn’t enough for him anymore. When I asked him, I found she was five years older than him. He said he didn’t know why, but once a woman is over thirty-five, she just smells old. He didn’t want to touch her anymore.” She tilted her head. Her eyes were practically dripping with provocation. “He couldn’t stand that old woman. I don’t think it went unnoticed on her part. Don’t you agree, Alicia? Or should I call you… Mrs. Vitale?” She bit out the last words. Alicia finally understood. Sophia had known who she was all along. Today’s request was nothing but a carefully planned humiliation. She should have noticed it. Matteo had never been satisfied in bed. One look from her was enough, and he would cling to her like a young, dangerous beast. He always liked to whisper in her ear, “Alicia, I love you so much. I wish I could swallow you whole.” But ever since he officially became the Don, he came home later and later. Even when he was with her, his attention was always elsewhere. She had always thought it was just the fatigue that came with power. She had even handled a few of his legal troubles that could not be made public. She made sure every loose end was tied up. It was not fatigue. He was just tired of her. “So,” Sophia leaned forward and asked, “Mrs. Vitale, do you think this divorce will actually happen?” Chapter 2 Alicia looked at Sophia’s young, delicate face. The pride and malice in her eyes were obvious. Her heart felt like a cold hand was squeezing it. She did not know how much time had passed. Finally, she forced out a pained smile. “It will. It definitely will.” Sophia smiled in satisfaction. She stood up. “Then, I’ll leave it to you.” She suddenly seemed to remember something. She pulled out a few photos and tossed them onto the desk. “Oh, and here are some pictures from our bed. Look at them. They might help you understand the case.” The photos showed a man and a woman entwined. The man’s handsome face shone with decadent desire. It was Matteo. Sophia left. Her high heels clicked on the floor. Each tap seemed to strike Alicia’s fraying nerves. The office was empty except for her. After a long while, Alicia opened a drawer. She pulled out a box of slim cigarettes she had not touched in a long time. She took one out and lit it. Her slender fingers trembled ever so slightly. Pale blue smoke rose. It blurred her calm, beautiful face. She smoked slowly and stared at the indecent photos on the desk. Her thoughts drifted far back into the past. She was twenty-eight at the time. She was already Monhattan’s most sought-after mergers and acquisitions lawyer. A Vitale family port acquisition triggered a federal investigation. The first time Matteo sat across from her in her office, his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His eyes were razor-sharp. She removed the traps set by the prosecutors. She saved the deal that would decide the transfer of power in the family. After that, Matteo began seeing her under the guise of a client. He soon grew tired of being just her client. He dropped off hot coffee when she worked late. Sometimes, he waited downstairs to make sure she got home safely. The first time a gun was pointed at her, he stepped in front of her. Later, the old Don became seriously ill. The family erupted into internal conflict. Alicia handled his personal assets, his trusts, and his legitimized corporate empire. She stayed with him through the most dangerous days. When Matteo officially took control of the Vitale family, he removed his gloves and placed a ring on her case file. “Marry me. I’ll love you forever.” At that time, she had truly believed him. She thought they had entered marriage after fighting side by side. Now she realized that promises were even less trustworthy than contracts. The cigarette burned down to the end. Alicia snubbed it out. She swallowed the sharp pain in her chest and opened her computer. Her fingers typed quickly on the keyboard. Soon, a clear and well-organized divorce agreement was ready. She pressed the intercom button. “Jenna, please come in.” The intern, Jenna Carter, entered the office quickly. Alicia handed her the printed agreement. “Take this divorce agreement straight to court and file it.” Jenna looked surprised. Alicia said before she could respond, “Both parties have agreed to the divorce.” Jenna did not ask anything further and took the papers. “When the divorce documents are ready, I’ll call both parties to pick them up.” “No need.” Alicia stood and picked up her coat. “Just call me when it’s done.” She said nothing more and walked straight out of the office. It was the end of the workday, and people streamed past the office building. Alicia had just stepped out of the building when she saw the familiar black car and the striking man leaning against it. He wore a simple black shirt and stood tall. His handsome face carried a languid smile. He drew the attention of many women walking by. Some approached him for his number, but he politely refused. When he saw Alicia, he immediately walked forward. He took her bag as if it were no big deal and spoke in a familiar, intimate tone. “I saw a necklace today. I thought it’d look perfect on you, so I bought it.” He handed her a delicate velvet box from the car. People around them shot envious glances at her. Alicia smiled faintly but did not respond. Matteo seemed not to notice her mood. He leaned close to her ear. His breath carried the playful, bad-boy charm he always had. “Alicia, tomorrow is the weekend. I booked a suite at the hotel tonight. The one you said you liked last time. We can relax there.” He was young, strong, and playful. Every time he hinted at something like that before, Alicia’s ears would heat up. She would blush, push back a little, and allow him to have his way. But this time, hearing the same intimate words, a chill ran down her spine. She looked up at his handsome face that was so close to hers and asked softly, “Didn’t you say I smelled old?” Chapter 3 The neon lights along the street made Alicia’s eyes ache. Matteo did not seem to hear her. He lowered his head slightly. “What did you just say?” Before Alicia could repeat it, his phone rang. He looked at the screen, and his face immediately darkened. His grip on her bag loosened. In the next second, he composed himself. He gave her an almost perfect apologetic smile. “Something came up at the port. I have to go now. Tonight is off the table. I’ll make it up to you another day.” With that, he got into the car and left. He did not give any extra explanation. But Alicia saw it clearly. She had seen the name on his phone. It had been far too intimate to be a random person. The called ID was “Babe.” She stood where she was. She suddenly felt the necklace was as heavy as a chain around her neck. Ten minutes later, she drove to the hotel herself. The suite at the end of the corridor was not fully closed. Warm yellow light filtered through the gap in the door. It was like a provocative and humiliating invitation to her. Alicia stopped outside the door. She did not push it open. She heard Sophia’s voice. She sounded like she was smiling. “Why’re you in such a hurry today? Didn’t you say you were going to be with your wife?” Matteo said something in a low voice. It was too soft to hear clearly. Then, she heard the rustle of fabric. Then a woman’s breath. It was drawn out on purpose. Then, she heard the soft sound of high heels falling onto the carpet. She heard Sophia asking, “So, what is it? You can’t bear to leave, or you just don’t want to?” This time, Matteo said clearly, “Don’t ask pointless questions at a time like this.” Sophia seemed pleased. She laughed even more sweetly. “Then, I’ll ask something else. When you hold me now, do you still think of her?” The room fell quiet for a moment. Then, the man said carelessly, “No.” The word was like a red-hot knife. It drove straight into Alicia’s heart and twisted again and again. The pain made her whole body seize. She almost lost her balance. She knew this already. But what she saw and heard with her own eyes and ears hit far harder than she had imagined. Her whole body turned numb. It felt as if her blood was frozen. She took a deep breath. She could not stay there any longer. She turned and stumbled away. She almost ran from the place. Alicia got back into the car. She started the engine and slammed the accelerator. The sports car surged forward like a wild horse. It raced through the night. The scenery outside the window rushed past as streaks of color. Memories flashed through Alicia’s mind. She could not stop them. She saw Matteo’s burning gaze when he chased her. She saw him drop to one knee when he proposed. She heard the vows he made at their wedding. She remembered the countless times he whispered sweet nothings in her ear. Before she knew it, her vision blurred with tears. She did not even notice the intersection ahead. By the time she realized it, it was too late. A sharp screech of brakes cut through the air. Alicia jerked the steering wheel. She turned it all the way. The car went out of control and crashed into the roadside barrier. Bang! After the violent impact, everything went dark. … Alicia regained consciousness in the hospital. She slowly opened her eyes. Jenna was by her bed. “Alicia, you’re finally awake!” Jenna was teary-eyed. “The nurse called Mr. Vitale many times, but no one answered… That’s why I came.” Alicia’s voice caught in her throat. She did not even have the strength to laugh at herself. Matteo did not answer the phone. What important matter could he be busy with? He was with Sophia, of course. He had no time for anything else. “But there’s good news,” Jenna said. She let out a breath. She sounded relieved. “The baby is healthy. There’s no serious problem at all.” The baby? Alicia froze. Her hand moved to her belly. She was pregnant! Chapter 4 The sudden news felt like a heavy blow crashing into Alicia’s already restless heart. It took her about three seconds to decide. She was not keeping the baby. It was not that she could not afford it. With her ability and income, she could easily give the child a comfortable life. But she did not want her child to be born into the ruins of a broken marriage. She did not want the child to become another tie between her and Matteo. Just then, the ward door flew open. Matteo rushed in. “Alicia!” He strode straight to her bedside. He was clearly worried. “How are you? How did you get into a car accident? Is it serious?” His concern did not seem fake. But Alicia only felt tired. She could no longer tell whether he cared because he loved her or simply out of habit. She looked at him and said nothing. Matteo thought she was upset, so he said patiently, “My phone was on silent last night, so I didn’t hear it. I’m sorry, Alicia. This time it’s my fault.” Every word sounded very proper. Every word felt rehearsed. Alicia was just about to tell him she was pregnant when Matteo’s phone rang again. He glanced at the screen, and his face stiffened for a second. Then, he lowered his voice and said, “I’ll step out for two minutes.” He took the call at the far end of the hallway. His voice was quiet, with a clear note of reassurance. The call lasted a long time. Alicia did not wait. She did not mention the baby either. For the next two days, Matteo did not show up. He only appeared on the night she was discharged with a bouquet of white roses. It was as if nothing had happened. He even opened the car door for her. “Let’s not go home yet,” he said. “There’s a private charity dinner tonight. It’s just our circle. It won’t be too noisy. I’ll stay with you for a while. You can get some fresh air.” Alicia wanted to refuse, but in the end, she got into the car. She wanted to see how smoothly he could shift between two very different versions of himself. The event was held at a members-only club. The guests were either heirs to major conglomerates or long-established figures with close ties to the Vitale family. Matteo was attentive the whole time. He kept unnecessary small talk away from her. He even had the waiter replace her wine with a fruit drink. To others, they looked like a flawless, model couple. Then, a sudden commotion broke out in the lounge area. Alicia looked up and saw Sophia standing beside a real estate developer. Sophia’s face was pale, and there was a red mark around her wrist, as if he had just grabbed her. The man had clearly had too much to drink. He insisted that he had mistaken her for someone else. Matteo did not rush over or start a fight. He stopped a few meters away. His expression was cold enough to make people uneasy. Then, he lifted a hand. The bodyguards behind him quickly stepped forward and pulled the man out of the crowd. The whole thing took less than ten seconds. No one dared to step in. No one dared to speak. Matteo walked up to the man. His clothes were still perfectly in place. He said calmly, “Take him to a private room and let him sober up. Inform his board as well. Starting tomorrow, the Vitale family will end all cooperation with them.” The man’s face went pale. The alcohol seemed to leave him on the spot. He began to apologize repeatedly. Matteo did not look at him anymore. He took off his suit jacket and placed it over Sophia’s shoulders. Then, he quietly told a waitress to take her to the lounge. That single gesture made Alicia stop where she was. She did not even bother to move her lips. It felt too familiar. In the past, when she felt unwell after a court hearing, Matteo had draped his jacket over her shoulders in the same way. When she was surrounded by the media, he had done the same. He pushed everyone aside first, then took her away. Some gestures done for another woman to show care and affection were painfully obvious. As if he noticed her gaze, Matteo walked back quickly. His tone was steady and controlled. “She is the younger sister of the former underboss. I can’t ignore it.” Alicia chuckled. “You really are good at taking care of people.” She did not say anything else. She turned and walked toward the terrace. Chapter 5 The evening wind blew in from above and chilled her to the bone. Alicia had planned to be alone for a few minutes, but Sophia quickly followed. At the far end of the terrace was a suspended glass walkway. Below them, the club’s courtyard stretched out. Lights glittered, and people moved like ants. Normally, this spot was a favorite for guests to take photos. Today, it was just the two of them. Sophia wrapped herself in Matteo’s jacket. Her smug face was hard to hide. “Alicia, you saw that clearly, right? When something happens, I’m the first person he protects.” Alicia leaned on the railing without turning her head. “Someone who sneaks into another person’s marriage by scheming and by taking advantage of situations shouldn’t act like the attention they get is some kind of honor.” Sophia’s face turned cold. “You really think highly of yourself. Do you know why he married you back then? It was because you could handle the Vitale family’s dirty work. You’re useful, not special.” “Is that so?” Alicia glared at her coldly. “Then, why hasn’t he married you yet? Doesn’t he want to? Oh, right! He told me it was just for fun. Free things are always more exciting.” Sophia’s face twisted at Alicia’s words. She reached out to grab her. As they struggled, a sharp crack came from the far end of the walkway. It sounded like a heavy object had hit the glass. The next second, cracks spread across the transparent floor beneath them like a spiderweb. Alarms blared at the same time. The sound was so sharp it made their skin crawl. Sophia went pale and held onto the railing with all her strength. Alicia stepped back. The walkway began to tilt. The support beams groaned under the weight, and metal scraped against metal. The sound filled the air with alarm. Someone shouted from a distance, “Don’t move! The walkway is failing!” But it was too late. With a deafening crash, the front section of the walkway collapsed. Alicia and Sophia were thrown downward. They did not fall straight into the courtyard. Hanging steel frames and safety nets caught them first. Alicia slammed into something with impact. Her vision darkened for a moment. Her lower back and belly felt like they had been beaten with a hammer. Sophia screamed on the other side and trembled in fear. They were separated by twisted, broken steel beams. Below them was a drop of several floors. One wrong move could send them falling again. People quickly crowded around. Rescue ropes were lowered from above. The staff shouted instructions as they checked the anchor points. Matteo’s voice came from above. It was deeper than usual. “First, check which side is more stable.” The lead rescuer looked up. “The steel frame is bent. We can only secure one side first. There’s not enough time. We have to pull one person up first, or the whole structure will collapse.” For two seconds, the air felt completely still. Alicia heard her own heartbeat. She also heard Sophia crying in panic. “Matteo! I’m scared! I can’t hold on anymore!” Matteo stood at the edge of the break. His face was pale. He looked at Alicia first. For a moment, it seemed that he remembered that she was his wife. He said, “Pull Alicia up first.” Alicia felt her heart flutter. The next second, the rope on Sophia’s side slipped again. Her body dangled halfway in the air. She screamed until her voice nearly gave out. “Save me! Matteo, save me!” Matteo’s expression changed instantly. Almost instinctively, he shouted, “Save Sophia first! Now!” That tiny, foolish hope she had just felt vanished in an instant. Alicia closed her eyes. Her heart felt painfully empty. Soon, Sophia was secured with a safety rope and pulled up. Chaos erupted above. Everyone surrounded her. On Alicia’s side, the weight shifted again. The steel frame beneath her sank suddenly. Someone shouted, “This side is going to break!” Matteo finally turned his head. His voice shook for the first time. “Alicia, hold on!” Before he could finish, the steel frame completely collapsed. Alicia fell with half of the safety net onto the platform below. The moment she hit the floor, her belly felt as if it had been ripped open. Warm liquid spread down her legs. Before she fell unconscious, only one thought crossed her mind. Her child would never even have the chance for its father to know it existed. Chapter 6 Alicia woke up to a cold that seemed to reach her bones. She opened her eyes slowly. The pale hospital ceiling came into view. A doctor stood beside her bed. “Mrs. Vitale, you’re awake.” The doctor’s voice was heavy with regret. “We’re very sorry about your pregnancy. We couldn’t save the baby.” When she heard him, she did not react with the hysteria she had expected. Perhaps she had already known the outcome the moment she fell. She was quiet for a long time. Then, she said, “Please, preserve the baby separately. I want to take it with me when I leave the hospital.” Since she never got the chance to tell Matteo herself, at least he would see with his own eyes the child he had made her lose. This might be the cruelest and most dreadful surprise she could give him. The doctor looked momentarily shocked, but he nodded and agreed. After the room fell quiet again, she placed her hand on her empty belly. She felt as if even the last warmth had left her. Footsteps came from outside. Matteo pushed the door open. He looked ragged and more exhausted than he had the last time he was in the hospital. He saw her pale, sickly face. He paused for a moment before stepping closer. “The doctor said you woke up. I…” The words stuck in his throat. Alicia looked at him. Her gaze was calm and still, like a motionless pool. That look made Matteo feel panicky for the first time. He lowered his voice and said, “When the walkway collapsed, the weight was uneven on both sides. Sophia was half-suspended. That’s why I had her rescued first. I didn’t leave you behind on purpose.” “Not on purpose…” Alicia repeated softly. She did not get angry. She did not cry. She asked quietly, “Matteo, do you remember the gunfight at the Booklyn warehouse?” His voice caught in her throat. He did not say anything. Memories came rushing back. He could almost see the fire lighting up the night sky. Bullets flew everywhere. He ran against the fleeing crowd and charged back into the burning warehouse to find her. He found her trapped in thick smoke, coughing and struggling. He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward safety. He was only twenty-five then. His face still had the sharp edges of youth. His eyes burned with reckless intensity. He held her hand tightly. Among the crackling flames and roaring gunfire, he said sincerely, “I won’t let you face any danger. Even if the chance is one in a million, I’ll make sure you’re completely safe.” Those words had burned into her heart like a brand. They made her believe that this was the man she could entrust her life to. But now? In a life-and-death situation, he could abandon her for Sophia's sake without hesitation. The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of the monitors. Matteo’s face turned pale. He reached out to touch her, but she turned her head away. He rarely looked this helpless. Not even during the family conflicts years ago had he felt so lost. “Alicia, I’ll make it up to you.” His voice was hoarse. “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.” Alicia finally smiled, but the smile was cold and empty of warmth. “I want you to choose to save me without hesitation, like you used to. Can you do that?” Her words hit Matteo like a blunt knife in the chest. He froze in place and could not speak for a long moment. Alicia did not look at him. She stared out the window at the gray sky. “Leave. The last person I want to see right now is you.” Chapter 7 For the next few days, Matteo stayed at the hospital almost every day. He turned down many meetings. Even several important family council sessions were done via video calls. He tried to make up for everything by giving her nutritionists, caregivers, the best doctors, and the most expensive supplements. But Alicia did not respond. That afternoon, the sun finally came out. A caregiver pushed her wheelchair to the lake behind the hospital so she could get some fresh air. The wind was cold. Matteo noticed her fingers were cold. He said softly, “I’ll go get a shawl. Stay right here. Wait for me for two minutes.” He turned and walked away. Not long after, Sophia appeared. A bandage still covered her forehead, but her face looked healthier and more vibrant than anyone else’s. She had clearly been well cared for. She stood by the wheelchair and looked down at Alicia. Her voice dripped with mockery. “Top lawyer, how does it feel to be in a wheelchair? You look worse than I expected.” Alicia could not be bothered to lift her eyes. Sophia refused to give up. She said slowly, “Are you still refusing to accept it? When the walkway collapsed, he called your name first. But when it was time to choose, he saved me! “You’re smart. I assume you know what that means. You understand, don’t you?” Alicia finally met her gaze. Her eyes were calm and cold. “It means you know very well that you can only ever prove your worth in moments like this.” Alicia pushed the wheelchair and prepared to leave. Sophia’s smile disappeared completely. She stepped forward and pressed her hands on the wheelchair’s armrest. “Stop that! Alicia, do you think you still have any dignity left? You’re nothing but—” She froze. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone nearby. Her expression changed instantly. She fell to the ground with a pitiful look and then grabbed a rock. She smashed it against her own forehead. Blood immediately poured out. It stained the bandage and her pale cheek. Everything happened too quickly. Alicia watched without surprise. The next second, Matteo rushed over. “Sophia!” Sophia ran to him with teary eyes. Her voice shook in just the right way. “I only came to see Donna Alicia, but she said it was my fault that she got hurt so badly… and then, she hit me with a rock!” Matteo looked at the wound on her forehead and then at Alicia. His brow furrowed. “Alicia, did you do this?” Alicia said calmly, “Don’t you already have the answer?” Matteo stayed silent. Alicia felt a deep exhaustion spreading through her. She did not want to argue. She no longer tried to explain the truth. She bent down and picked up a rock from the ground. It was larger and sharper than the one Sophia had used. As Matteo and Sophia watched in shock, Alicia raised the rock. She struck Sophia’s forehead without hesitation. She hit exactly where Sophia had hurt herself moments ago. Sophia screamed. Her body went limp. Alicia looked at Matteo. Her voice was calm and chilling. “That proves it now. Satisfied?” Chapter 8 Matteo’s eyes widened. He could hardly believe what he had just heard. His eyes filled with rage. Before he could react, Sophia screamed even louder. It dragged his attention back. “Matteo! My head hurts so much! I’m bleeding so much! I’m scared! Am I going to die, Matteo? Ahhh!!!” “You won’t. Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to a doctor right away!” He could not think about anything else. He leaned down and lifted Sophia, who was crying so hard she seemed about to faint. In his urgency, he shoved Alicia aside with force. Alicia was already weak. She sat unsteadily in her wheelchair. The push sent the wheelchair tipping backward toward the lake. Splash! The icy water swallowed her instantly. She could not swim. The heavy wheelchair dragged her down. Cold stabbed through her bones, and water filled her lungs. She struggled with all her strength and hit the surface with her hands. Her voice came out in broken cries. “Help… someone… save me…” On the shore, Matteo kept his eyes on Sophia, who was still screaming in his arms. He did not glance back once at Alicia as she sank and fought in the lake. The water covered her mouth and nose. Before darkness took her completely, one icy thought formed in her mind. He chose Sophia. He had watched her sink almost to death. He gave up on saving her. Alicia woke in a cold, empty hospital room. No one was beside her. Only the pale moonlight filtered through the window. She reached for the phone on the bedside table. The screen lit up. One unread message from Matteo appeared. [Alicia, your actions made Sophia’s injuries worse. She’s emotionally unstable. I need to stay and care for her to make up for the harm you caused. I can’t come back to you tonight. Take care of yourself.] Alicia read the message. Her face remained expressionless. There was no anger and no sadness. There was not even a flicker of emotion. She quietly put down the phone, just like the countless nights when he had left her alone. She rang the nurse herself. She drank water. She endured the pain in her body and her mind alone. On the day she was discharged, she handled everything on her own. She carried the cold storage box that held the baby the doctor had given her and returned home. As soon as she opened the door, before she could turn on the lights, a hand holding a wet cloth shot out from behind. It pressed tightly against her mouth and nose. A sharp, choking smell filled her senses. She could not see who it was before her consciousness began to fade. Her body went limp. Through the haze, she felt herself being moved. A harsh surgical light blinded her eyes. She forced one eye open a crack. She realized she was lying on a cold operating table. Her arms and legs were strapped down. She could not move. Outside the operating room, she heard muffled voices. Matteo and his underboss, Luca Romano, were talking. “Don Vitale, are you really going to donate Donna Alicia’s bone marrow to Sophia?” Matteo’s voice was cold and firm. “Sophia has acute leukemia. Only Alicia’s bone marrow matches hers. This is the fastest and most effective way to save her.” “But does she know about it? Has she agreed?” “I can’t let her know.” There was no trace of emotion in his voice. “She’ll never agree. You handle it. Make sure it’s done discreetly. Treat it as an anonymous donation.” Luca hesitated. “Don Vitale, are you sure you won’t regret this? Donna Alicia just went through—” “I won’t regret it,” Matteo interrupted him sharply. His tone was impatient. “For Sophia, I have to do this. Start the procedure.” Alicia lay on the operating table as if struck by lightning. Her blood felt frozen. She had to donate her bone marrow to Sophia? The man she had loved for nine years was sending people to knock her out, strap her to a cold operating table, and take her bone marrow to save the other woman. He was doing this at a moment when she had just lost her child, and her body was still weak. Could anything be more absurd or cruel? She wanted to struggle free. She wanted to scream. She wanted to ask him why. But her body was held down tight. Something covered her mouth. She could not make a sound. She felt the cold sting of the anesthetic needle pierce her skin. The next second, a sharp, tearing pain shot from the injection site. Her body reacted badly to the anesthesia. The doctors did not notice. The surgery continued. The pain of having her bone marrow forcibly taken from her felt unbearable. Without proper anesthesia, every second felt like torture. She could hear and feel the drill bite into her bone. Her body convulsed. Her eyes bulged. Her nails dug deep into the operating table. At last, the pain became so extreme that she lost consciousness completely. When she woke up, she found herself back in the hospital room. Matteo was sitting by her bedside. The moment he saw her open her eyes, he leaned forward. His expression was composed. “Alicia, you’re finally awake! The doctors say your body is weak after the surgery, and the cold affected you. That’s why you suddenly fainted at home.” Weak after surgery. Alicia stared at him. A faint, bitter smile appeared on her pale face. Had she really fainted at home? She looked at his handsome face, full of concern. She wanted to yell at him, demand answers, and tear apart his careful disguise. But in the end, she only let out a faint, exhausted smile, filled with endless weariness. It was pointless. What was there left to ask? The truth was clear. Matteo would never admit it. She could only hope that for the rest of her life, he would keep his word and never regret anything. In the following days, Matteo treated her with almost unnatural attentiveness. He answered every request. He was gentle and careful, as if they had returned to the first days of their love. But Alicia’s heart had turned into a frozen wasteland. No warmth could melt even a little of it. One day, Matteo went to the family headquarters. The hospital room was quiet. Her phone rang. It was Jenna. “Alicia, the divorce papers you asked me to send to the court have been finalized. The court issued the official judgment, and the filed copy is ready. Do you want to come pick it up, or should I deliver it to you?” Chapter 9 After she hung up, she changed out of her hospital gown and went to the courthouse alone to collect the sealed divorce judgment. She had just walked out when her law firm partner called her. “Alicia, something has come up. The Rondon office has an urgent cross-border case. They need a senior lawyer who can take charge. The board specifically asked for you. If you still have personal matters to handle in New Yorke, we can give you some time.” Alicia looked at the freshly issued divorce judgment in her hand and said calmly, “Richard, I can go. You don’t need to worry about Matteo. We’re divorced.” There was a brief pause on the other end. Richard Wallace quickly regained his composure. He did not ask about her personal life. “Alright, it’s settled. When can you leave?” Alicia raised her hand and checked her watch. Her voice was clear and firm. “Now.” She went back to the villa and started packing her things. She did not have much. A single twenty-eight-inch suitcase could hold almost everything that belonged to her. She pulled the suitcase into the living room and ran straight into Matteo, who had just returned. Matteo saw the suitcase in her hand and paused. He frowned. “Alicia, what are you doing?” “A business trip,” Alicia said briskly. Matteo seemed to relax. That lazy, affectionate look returned to his face. He stepped forward and tried to hug her, but she took a step back and avoided him. His hand stopped midair. Then, he gave her a helpless smile. His voice carried a trace of lingering affection. “Another trip? When will you be back? I’ll pick you up.” Alicia looked at him. Her gaze was as calm as still water. “I’ll let you know.” Matteo noticed the black square box she had been holding tightly in her arms. It was wrapped delicately. He asked with some curiosity, “Alicia, what are you holding?” Alicia lowered her eyes to the box and said lightly, “Oh, this? It’s a gift I prepared especially for you. I was going to mail it to you. Since we ran into each other here, I’ll give it to you now.” Matteo looked surprised. He seemed a little flattered. “It’s not a special occasion. Why did you prepare a gift…” He reached out and took it. He was about to open it when the phone in his pocket started vibrating at the worst possible moment. He took out his phone and glanced at the screen. His expression shifted. Then, he gave Alicia an apologetic look and pointed to the phone. “Something urgent came up with the family. I need to handle it right away. I’ll look at the gift later. I’ll keep it safe.” He set the black box down on the entryway cabinet. His eyes were already back on his phone. Alicia said nothing. She only gave him a faint nod. At the villa entrance, they walked in opposite directions and got into their own cars. The engines started. Alicia rolled down the window. She looked at Matteo, who was sitting in his sports car, and said calmly, “Goodbye, Matteo.” Matteo smiled and waved at her. “Goodbye, Alicia. Come back soon!” The two cars drove off in opposite directions and headed toward different futures. A week later, Matteo woke up in the large bed at Sophia’s apartment. The woman beside him slept peacefully. Even after satisfying himself, a strange emptiness settled in his chest. He checked the time. Alicia usually returned after about a week on business trips. This time, she had not called him to pick her up. She had not even sent a message to say she was safe. He picked up his phone and called Alicia. “Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off…” A cold, robotic female voice came through the receiver. Matteo frowned. Irritation stirred in him. Had she come back early and was giving him the silent treatment? He drove straight back to the villa he shared with Alicia. He pushed the door open. The house was silent. The air carried a cold, empty stillness, as if no one had lived there for a long time. “Alicia? Alicia?” he called out, but no one answered. A feeling of dread quietly wrapped around his heart like twisting vines. He paced the living room anxiously. Then his eyes landed on the black box in the entryway cabinet. It was forgotten and covered with a thin layer of dust. It was the gift Alicia had prepared for him before she left. He walked over and picked up the box. It felt a little heavy. He remembered her calm eyes that day and the way she had said goodbye. The unease in his chest grew stronger. He took a deep breath, tore off the wrapping paper, and opened the lid. The two items inside came clearly into view.