The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 04

The Gondola the Don Made for Me Chapter 04

The photo showed a far larger, more exquisite gondola. Most importantly, its entire hull was draped in my favorite white orchids—not a single red rose in sight.

Back home, I began packing my things. I sorted through my clothes and documents slowly, then came across stacks of old photos from our years together. Every photo had words written on the back.

On the one taken at Lake Como, he’d written: I want to stay by Vera’s side forever.

On the photo of us watching the sunrise: Vera is more beautiful than the dawn.

I stared at them for a long moment, then tossed the whole pile into the trash.

Shortly after, the sound of a car pulled up downstairs. A sudden rainstorm had driven Julian home early.

The front door swung open, carrying the faint scent of Sophia’s perfume. I kept packing, folding my last piece of clothing.

Julian kicked off his shoes and leaned against the bedroom doorframe, irritation etched across his features.

“Are you done throwing your tantrum yet?”

His voice was not exactly harsh, but it reeked of condescension.

I looked up and zipped up my suitcase.

My unyielding calm finally wore away his patience. He strode over and snatched the suitcase out of my hands. The hard plastic cracked under his rough grip.

“Will you ever stop this?” He frowned deeply. “I’ve been swamped with family business lately. First the boat ceremony, then Grandma’s party—you’ve had a sour look on your face the whole time. Do you want everyone laughing at me?”

I let out a quiet laugh. He was never too busy to dote on Sophia. And everyone was never laughing at him—they were laughing at me.

“I’m not making a scene.”

He grabbed my wrist, offering what he thought was a generous compromise. “I know you’re upset. It’s just a boat and some jewelry. They’re trivial things.”

Everything related to me was trivial. Everything related to Sophia was urgent and important.

I looked at him and remembered the words I’d overheard that day: Vera’s so easy to pacify. She’s madly in love with me and would never dare to truly leave.

“I’m going on a business trip with Sophia tomorrow,” he said, leaning down to murmur in my ear, convinced this would win me over. “Once I get back, I’ll find some time to register our marriage. You’ve waited seven years for this, haven’t you? I’ll give you what you want.”

He spoke as if granting me a huge favor. In his eyes, he could give away the wedding boat and all his affection to another woman. Every special privilege and soft spot belonged to Sophia. All he would leave for me was a meaningless marriage documents, meant to be my lifelong prison.

I laughed aloud, laughing at the seven years I’d wasted on a gondola covered in roses that was never meant for me.

Seeing me smile, Julian assumed I’d given in. He relaxed completely, his mood lightening.

“Happy now? Stay home and wait for me.”

He turned to leave, pulling out his phone as he walked. “I need to video call Sophia and go over plans for tomorrow’s trip.”

I cut him off. “Julian, I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m going to—”

His phone rang suddenly. He held up a hand to silence me.

“Sophia? What’s wrong?”

A panicked voice came through the line.

“Don’t be scared. I’m on my way right now.”

He hung up and grabbed his coat. “There’s thunder outside. Sophia has always been terrified of storms. I need to check on her. We can talk about this later.”

He rushed out the door before I could finish my sentence. The words “marry someone else” died on my lips.

……

Julian hurried down the road. His phone buzzed several times. He scoffed, assuming I was texting him again, impatient for him to come home after promising the marriage registration.

When he reached Sophia’s apartment building and opened the messages, he realized they weren’t from me.

[Julian, don’t forget to attend the wedding of the Gracie family heir next week.]

Attached was a wedding invitation.

He froze with his hand on the car door the moment he read the details.