He Abandoned Our Wedding, I Destroyed His Life Chapter 03

He Abandoned Our Wedding, I Destroyed His Life Chapter 03

I held firm on my resignation and went back to my desk to start my handover.

Maya was taking over my cases. We’d always been on good terms, and she didn’t hide her disappointment that I was leaving.

“Adriana, are you really leaving?”

“Does this mean I have to watch those two all over each other every day now?”

I followed her gaze.

Matteo was explaining a case to Chloe.

Chloe was pouting about something. To placate her, Matteo produced a Cartier box. The moment she clasped the new bracelet on her wrist, her pout vanished.

Then her eyes met mine, and she shot to her feet.

“Adriana, it’s not what you think. There’s nothing going on between Matteo and me. This is just a bracelet.”

Her announcement made half the office look up from their screens.

Five years, and he’d never bought me anything that expensive. Of course, everyone here bought his story that I came from a simple background and wouldn’t even recognize the brand.

I could feel their pity like a physical weight.

Even Maya couldn’t stop herself from muttering.

“You’re still his fiancée. This is so out of line.”

I put a hand on her arm, a silent signal to let it go, then looked at Chloe.

“It’s beautiful. It suits you.”

That wasn’t the reaction she’d wanted. A flicker of annoyance crossed her face.

“It’s just an ordinary bracelet, really. Please don’t be angry.”

I almost laughed.

Angry? Not anymore.

I had a drawer full of bracelets like that back home in Boston.

Matteo stood up, a frown creasing his brow.

“Adriana, don’t start something.”

I let out a slow breath.

“I’m not angry. Could you two please stop telling me how I feel?”

My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. Matteo looked surprised for a second before his expression hardened.

“Good.”

With that, he pulled Chloe back into her chair.

Maya leaned in, whispering, “You’re just going to let that slide?”

I kept sorting through the files on my desk.

“Yes. As far as I’m concerned, we’re already broken up.”

Three weddings. Not one of them had happened.

I was done.

After work, Matteo surprised me by coming over to my desk and helping me pack my things.

“Let’s go. I booked Gramercy Tavern for eight. We can make it if we leave now.”

He noticed my bare wrist and paused.

“Where’s the bracelet I gave you?”

“I was afraid I’d damage it, so I put it away.”

He visibly relaxed and smiled.

“You used to wear it every day. Why take it off now?”

Before I could invent an answer, Chloe came jogging over.

“Matteo, I’m ready!”

Just like that, her voice captured all of his attention. He nodded and told her to wait for him in the car.

I watched as Chloe walked straight to the passenger side and slid in.

In five years, I had never once sat in that seat. He always said it was reserved for his future wife, that I could sit there after we were married.

I said nothing and opened the back door myself.

Through the window, Chloe watched me, a triumphant glint in her eyes, waiting for a reaction.

But I felt nothing at all.

At the restaurant, Matteo and Chloe sat on the same side of the booth. When the waiter came, they ordered without asking what I wanted.

I couldn’t be bothered to care. I just rested my chin on my hand and stared out at the city lights.

After tomorrow, it would be a long time before I saw this view again.

When the food arrived, Matteo did something he rarely did. He peeled a bowl of shrimp and set it in front of me.

“The shrimp here is great.”

I looked up at him. He was smiling, his tone gentler than usual.

For a split second, I almost thought he remembered.

Then Chloe chimed in, “I told him to get it. Last time we were here, he ate three plates all by himself.”

Matteo shot her an uncomfortable look.

“Why would you say that in front of Adriana?”

Chloe covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling in a fake apology.

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t let a little thing like that upset you.”

They laughed, a private joke right in front of me.

I looked down at the bowl of shrimp and my appetite vanished.

I forced myself to eat one before pushing the bowl away.

“I don’t really like how they prepare it here. You two can have it.”

That finally silenced them.

Matteo watched me, his voice cautious.

“Are you upset?”

I shook my head.

“No. I just don’t like the taste.”