The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 10

The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 10

Vera had just stepped out of her car, carrying a food container. She wore a charcoal gray trench coat, her hair cut slightly shorter. There was a bright light in her eyes, and she looked even more beautiful than before.

Julian stepped forward to block her path, his throat rough and dry. “Vera, can we talk?”

Vera stepped back and regarded him coldly.

Afraid she would leave, Julian rushed to speak. “I destroyed the gondola I gave Sophia. I built a brand new one from the ground up—so it still counts as my first wedding boat. I know I messed up. I always assumed you’d keep waiting for me… I’ve even picked out a date for our wedding.”

Vera’s brows stayed furrowed. She cut him off mid-sentence. “It was just a plan. Nothing more. Just like how I once planned to spend my life with you.”

Julian’s face paled.

Vera watched his reaction and smiled faintly. “Like you once said, I’m an old maid. I couldn’t afford to wait any longer. So I married someone else. As you can see, I’m happy now.”

“I need to bring soup to my husband. I’m busy. Goodbye.”

Julian reached out and blocked her way again.

His voice trembled. “I fired Sophia from the company. I’ll never contact her again. Can you… give me just one more chance?”

Vera paused, as if suddenly remembering something. She pulled out her phone and pressed play on an audio recording.

The voices of Julian and Sophia from that rainy night echoed out loud.

Julian froze, his whole body shaking. “How did you get this?”

Vera raised an eyebrow. “Recognize it? Your dear sister live-streamed the whole thing to me. I felt disgusted the first time I heard it. I’d nearly forgotten all about it until you showed up today.”

She tapped the delete button and erased the file. “Now. May I leave?”

Julian stood there powerless, watching her carry the food container and walk into the office building.

Memories flooded his mind. He’d always skipped breakfast and suffered from constant stomachaches. Vera would spend hours making all kinds of nourishing soups. Every time he came home, a fresh bowl would be waiting on the table, never the same recipe twice.

“Julian, come try this new flavor. It’ll warm your stomach right up!”

That soup was still being made with care every day—but no longer for him.

Julian buried his face in his hands and finally broke down into bitter tears.

He saw Vera once again five years later.

His cousin had dragged him out shopping on Mrs. Romano’s request. Inside a mall, he spotted two young twin girls secretly sharing an ice cream.

“Hurry up, before Mom catches us!”

“My turn to take a bite!”

Julian stared, transfixed. The girls looked exactly like Vera.

A man’s voice pulled him from his daze. “Romano. What a surprise.”

He lifted his head to see Liam Gracie. The world seemed to spin around him.

Vera hurried over moments later. “Liam, did you buy them ice cream again?”

She noticed Julian and straightened her posture politely. “Darling, who is this?”

Julian’s shoulders hunched inward, his body rigid.

Liam smiled gently. “A former business associate.”

The four of them walked away together. Julian listened as Vera gently chided the three guilty-looking figures beside her, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

His cousin returned, her arms loaded with snacks.

“Julian, you have to finish all of these today. You’ve gotten so thin over the years.” She looked at him curiously. “Who did you run into? What’s wrong?”

Julian spoke softly, “I met someone I lost forever. Someone who will never come back.”