Six Times A Fool, This Time, I’m Gone Chapter 04

Six Times A Fool, This Time, I’m Gone Chapter 04

Luca POV

Three days later, I finally got out of the hospital.

The bandage on my forehead was still there, and my left hand was still wrapped, but I felt the wounds would heal. As I walked out of the hospital, I bought a bouquet of Eustoma from the flower shop downstairs. It was Seraphina’s favorite flower.

I remembered. Every time I made her angry, all I had to do was buy a bouquet of Eustoma, beg for forgiveness, and she’d throw herself into my arms, eyes red.

This time wouldn’t be any different.

“Seraphina, I’m out of the hospital. I bought you—”

The words died in my throat the moment I pushed open the apartment door.

The house was too quiet. The coffee table in the living room was empty; even the magazine she usually left lying around was gone.

I frowned, changed my shoes, and walked into the bedroom.

My smile froze the moment I opened the closet door.

The closet doors hung wide open. All of Seraphina’s clothes, bags, even the few pairs of slippers in the corner, were gone.

I spun around, striding towards the bathroom. Her toothbrush cup was missing from the sink, her skincare products, hair ties, the comb she spent twenty minutes on every morning—all gone. In the kitchen, her mug, that polar bear coaster, they’d vanished too.

Nothing. There was nothing left.

I stood on the empty balcony, a crack forming in my chest.

But soon, I remembered Seraphina dragging her suitcase by the roadside late at night three days ago. Celeste had even video-called me then, saying she was talking to Seraphina, that she was leaving with her suitcase and wouldn’t listen to reason.

My tense nerves relaxed. I even rubbed my temples with a sense of helplessness.

Where else would she go in the middle of the night with a suitcase, if not back to her parents’ house?

I didn’t think much of it. I turned, went downstairs, placed the Eustoma on the passenger seat, and started the car.

It was drizzling. The wipers swished back and forth across the windshield. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, planning what to say when I met her parents. Five years of history—how could it all be erased by one missed engagement?

Half an hour later, I stood outside Seraphina’s parents’ house.

I straightened my collar, switched the Eustoma to my left hand, and pressed the doorbell with my right. The bell rang three times, and the door opened.

It wasn’t Seraphina standing there, but her mother.

I immediately put on my most sincere smile and bowed slightly. “I’m sorry, Seraphina is still mad at me, isn’t she? I’m here to take her home. I really couldn’t make it to the engagement party that day because of an emergency. I apologize to you and her father—”

“Seraphina isn’t here.” Her mother’s voice was as cold as a winter lake. “You should leave.”

I froze. “You’re kidding, right? Where else would Seraphina go that night with a suitcase, if not home?”

“Who said you two were getting engaged?” Her mother cut me off, her gaze devoid of warmth, only disgust. “Luca, do you really think our Seraphina is easy to bully, that she deserves to be dragged into your twisted life?”

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain. But she didn’t give me a chance.

“Seraphina has completely broken up with you. From now on, where she goes, what she does, has nothing to do with an outsider like you.”

My face finally changed. “Ma’am, please let me explain. Celeste’s family went bankrupt, I just—”

“I have no interest in your messed-up affairs.” She sneered. “Save your disgusting excuses. You won’t need to make amends anymore, because you won’t get another chance.”

My breathing quickened. “What do you mean?”

Seraphina’s mother stepped forward, standing on the threshold, looking down at me.

“Our Seraphina doesn’t want you anymore. She’s completely broken up with you.”

Bang—

The iron door slammed shut in my face.

I stood in the dim hallway, clutching the wilting Eustoma, my mind buzzing. I didn’t believe it. Five years. She’d never done this before. Every time we argued, she’d come back, she’d forgive me, she’d walk back into my arms. I didn’t believe this time would be different.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out. It was Celeste.

I answered. Before I could speak, Celeste’s voice burst through the receiver, urgent and excited.

“Luca! Where are you right now? I was at the airport seeing off a friend who’s going abroad, and guess who I saw? I saw Seraphina!”

My breath hitched. My fingers unconsciously tightened around the phone. “What did you say? She’s at the airport?”

“But, Luca, you need to be prepared.” Celeste’s tone held a hint of subtle provocation. “Seraphina wasn’t alone. I saw her in the VIP lounge with a man in his fifties. They were laughing and chatting, and he even carried her bag and handed her water. They looked really close.”

On the other end, Celeste paused, then added in a sickly sweet voice, “Luca, I think Seraphina found a new boyfriend, didn’t she? You’re so pathetic.”

The veins on the hand clutching the phone bulged.

“Shut up!” My voice squeezed out from the deepest part of my throat, low and violent. “Which terminal?”

Celeste on the other end was clearly startled by my tone. Most of the sweetness in her voice vanished instantly. “T… Terminal 3, international departures…”

I didn’t wait for her to finish. I hung up.

I turned and rushed down the stairs, not even waiting for the elevator. The rain was heavier than when I arrived. I yanked open the car door, threw the Eustoma onto the passenger seat, and started the engine. The car roared out like an enraged beast.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white.

“Seraphina, you won’t get away with this—” My voice was hoarse. “Even if I have to tie you up, I’ll bring you back. You won’t leave me like this.”

I couldn’t let her go.

Absolutely not.