Six Times A Fool, This Time, I’m Gone Chapter 03

Six Times A Fool, This Time, I’m Gone Chapter 03

Half an hour later, I stood in the third-floor hallway of the hospital.

The corridor reeked of disinfectant. I was about to push the door open when I heard Marco Marino’s voice from inside.

“Luca, you really went too far this time.” His voice was low. “That was the money you and Seraphina saved for your wedding. You transferred all of it to Celeste for a car? Today was supposed to be your engagement party, and you left Seraphina and her parents waiting in the banquet hall all day. Aren’t you afraid she’ll be completely heartbroken this time, determined to break up with you?”

“We’ve all seen how Seraphina treated you these past five years. She gave up opportunities to study abroad, promotions, even distanced herself from her friends, all for you. You can’t treat her like this.”

I raised my hand, my fingertips hovering above the doorknob, unmoving.

Silence filled the room for two seconds. Then, Luca’s voice rang out, with a certainty that bordered on arrogance.

“She won’t leave.”

He paused. “Five years. Our relationship has lasted this long; it’s not that easy to break. You know Seraphina’s personality. She’s too soft-hearted. Every time we argue, as long as I humble myself a little, she’ll come back. Once I’m discharged in a couple of days, I’ll buy her a gift, sweet-talk her, and this whole thing will blow over.”

Marco sighed. “But Luca, you’ve given Celeste too much, haven’t you? What woman would tolerate her man going to such lengths for another woman? What are you even thinking?”

Luca’s tone suddenly turned serious, like he was reciting an undeniable creed.

“How can you compare? Celeste’s family is bankrupt now; she has nothing left. She grew up living like a princess. How can you expect her to suddenly adapt to an ordinary life? Since I said I’d take care of her forever, there’s no way I can abandon her. This is what I owe the Ashford family, and I have to repay it.”

His tone softened slightly. “Seraphina is sensible and reasonable. After we get married, I’ll treat her even better, and I’ll compensate her in other ways. But with Celeste, I can never let go. Seraphina will get used to it eventually.”

Marco said nothing more.

I stood outside the door, hearing my heartbeat pound against my eardrums.

Just then, Celeste’s spoiled voice suddenly cut through from behind me.

“Hey! What are you doing standing by the door?”

The conversation inside the room abruptly stopped.

I turned around to see Celeste standing at the other end of the hallway, holding a cup of coffee, her head tilted as she scrutinized me. There was no surprise in her expression, more like she’d been waiting for this show.

I ignored her and pushed open the hospital room door.

Luca, on the hospital bed, sharply looked up. When he saw me standing in the doorway, the color drained from his face instantly, and his pupils constricted violently.

“Seraphina, when did you get here? Let me explain—”

“No need to explain.” My voice came out calmer than I expected. “Luca, I’ve heard your explanations too many times. I’m sick of them.”

Luca’s face was as white as the bedsheet beneath him. He struggled to sit up, propping himself on his elbows, which pulled at his wounds. He gasped in pain.

“Seraphina, can you stop making a scene?” he pleaded. “I just said that casually. And this is the last time, I promise—”

“The last time?” I cut him off, a bitter smile on my lips. “How many times have you told me ‘the last time’? Two years. Every time you crawled out of that cage, covered in blood, kneeling before me, you said ‘the last time.’ Luca, you never intended to cut ties with her. You were just testing me, forcing me to slowly accept your twisted relationship, weren’t you?”

Luca’s expression shifted. His lips moved, as if to say something, but no rebuttal came out.

I felt tears welling up, but I refused to let them fall. Not in front of him, at least not this time.

“Luca, every time you went to fight in those underground matches, I couldn’t close my eyes all night.” I heard my voice tremble, but I fought to control it. “I stayed by my phone, terrified of a call from the hospital, even more terrified that one day it wouldn’t be a call, but a notification to identify a body at the morgue. But did you ever think of me? Even once, did you think of me waiting for you at home?”

Luca’s voice rose sharply. “I’ll be fine! I know what I’m doing. I always get out unscathed. See? I’m okay!”

I let out a laugh. “Okay?”

“Then tell me, Luca,” I said slowly. “Even if we get married, even if we have children someday, if Celeste says the word, if she wants something, you’ll still hide it from me, go into that octagon, and risk your life to earn money for her, won’t you?”

Luca fell silent.

He lowered his head, unable to look at me.

That silence was more honest than any lie.

I averted my gaze, no longer looking at him. “Give me that black bag on your bedside table.”

Luca froze, looking up, a flicker of confusion and panic in his eyes. “What do you want the bag for? Seraphina, what are you doing?”

“Give it to me.”

My tone didn’t leave any room for argument.

Marco looked at Luca, then at me, and finally turned, picked up the black shoulder bag from the bedside table, and handed it to me.

I unzipped it and pulled out my passport and ID. Both documents were there, along with my work ID and a photo of Luca and me from when we first started dating. I took out the photo, placed it on the bedside table, then put my passport and ID into my pocket.

“Seraphina, what are you doing with those documents?” Luca’s voice finally held a hint of genuine unease. “Where are you going? You can’t—”

I didn’t look back.

Holding the documents, I pushed open the hospital room door and walked into the hallway. Celeste was still standing in her original spot, her coffee now cold.

I ignored her, walked through the hallway, down the stairs, and pushed open the hospital’s main doors. The cold air of early morning hit me, carrying the city’s unique dampness. I stood on the steps, looking up at the murky night sky, illuminated by city lights.

The passport and ID in my pocket felt heavy against my skin, like a promise.

At nine AM the next morning, I stood promptly in Professor Sterling’s office.

Professor Sterling took off his glasses and looked at me.

“Are you sure? Once the documents are submitted and the process starts, there’s no turning back. Seraphina, you need to be clear, it won’t be an easy journey.”

“I’m sure,” I said. “I have no regrets.”

Professor Sterling looked at me for a long moment, then finally nodded. “Then prepare to depart. Seraphina, your path is long. Don’t let anyone block your light.”