Chapter 5
But Niccolo and Rizza’s wedding was already set.
On some private island in the Pacific, Niccolo spent a fortune to buy her paradise-his most extravagant, and yet cheapest, bridal gift.
The ceremony itself made a mockery of what we once had.
The pull-tab ring from a soda can that once symbolized his devotion to me became her dazzling Harry Winston diamond.
The faded mosquito-net veil I once wore turned into her glittering couture gown studded with shards of light.
To outsiders, it was always assumed that Niccolo and I had shared some secret, grand wedding.
But the truth? After swearing our vows in a rented apartment, the next seven years were spent running through storms of blood and betrayal. We never found the chance to declare our happiness to the world.
‘Ladies and gentlemen…”
Niccolo himself took the microphone, unwilling to let anyone else narrate this “moment of joy.”
‘Today, I want to introduce to you the only pearl of my heart, my-”
Bang!
The doors burst open.
Guests screamed as my people stormed the venue, quickly taking control. A chandelier crashed down, nearly crushing Rizza, who shrieked as Niccolo pulled her into his arms protectively.
His eyes widened in shock when they found me. “You… You actually followed us here!”
‘Did
you
think it would be difficult to track you down?” I scoffed and tossed a recorder at his feet, my lips curved in a mocking smile.
So this is how deep your schemes run, Mr. Morales.”
The wedding march abruptly cut off.
From the speakers came the sound of Rizza’s breathless moans.
Nico… all these years I was away, you really held back from having a child with that old hag?”
Niccolo’s voice, rough with desire, answered, “I don’t have the habit of sleeping with other
women.”
Liar! You think I’m three years old?” Her laugh was followed by a soft slap. “Tell me the truth!” ` A satisfied sigh sounded then his voice rang again, kissing her as he spoke, “She’s filthy.” Niccolo’s brow furrowed, but the recording played on.
‘Come on,” Rizza teased, “your wife has been with you all these years. Could she really have had someone else during that time?”
‘Of course not,” his voice replied, punctuated by kisses. “But when she was eight months pregnant, she barged into our enemy’s den. She miscarried right after.”
“How would I know if she wasn’t touched by them-that it wasn’t their violation that killed my
son?”
“Mm… Maybe she wasn’t touched after all?”
Niccolo laughed bitterly. “I read their statements. They admitted they wanted to violate her. In that situation, no woman could possibly resist.”
Rizza gasped theatrically. “Heavens! So your wife, eight months pregnant, threw herself to the wolves? What a shameless whore!”
“Enough!”
On stage, Niccolo turned toward the sound booth, ready to cut the feed-only to freeze.
The entire control panel was manned by strangers.
Panic flickered across his face as he looked around, realizing half the room was filled with unfamiliar faces.
Rizza’s complexion drained to white. What she thought were guests from their side were clearly
not.
Step by step, I walked toward the stage.
had done this once before-dragging a machete behind me, leading only ten men ready to die, cutting through waves of enemies to reach him. One by one, they all fell, until only I remained against his foe.
That day, he kicked me in the stomach. I carved my blade into his enemy’s throat.
The sun bled into the horizon as Niccolo dropped to his knees beside my stretcher-crying for he first time.
For years after, he would hold me tight, trembling, whispering apologies.
n the dead of night, he’d lock himself in his study, chain-smoking through the dark.
thought he was tormented by guilt. I even comforted him, telling him I never blamed him.
But perhaps it was never about whether he wronged me.
Perhaps, in his heart, it was always about whether I had wronged him.
From the speakers, his voice went on, “Of course, maybe she really is innocent. But I checked her nedical report in secret.”
She can’t bear children anymore. She’s useless.”
Bang!
A gunshot shattered the speaker.
Niccolo stood there, gasping, the hand clutching the pistol trembling uncontrollably.
