Chapter 17
After several days in the hospital, Alessandro checked himself out against medical advice
The day after discovering Aria’s disappearance, he’d filed for divorce from Sofia. Now that the mandatory 30–day cooling off period had ended, he needed those papers finalized immediately.
Though Sofia had put on quite the tearful performance during the filing, she’d ultimately signed the papers without resistance. With glistening eyes, she’d wished him happiness and told him she’d always love him. Despite his resentment, her seemingly mature response had led him to agree not to publicize their split right away.
He drove to Sofia’s luxury apartment, key in hand. As he approached her door, voices leaked through from inside.
“That fucking slut Aria–when she saw those messages, why couldn’t she just kill herself? Playing these disappearing games… it’s been a month already! Why the hell hasn’t Alessandro moved on?”
“What’s so special about that gold–digging tramp anyway? Good thing I’m already three months pregnant. The baby’s firmly established. Once I tell the Valentini family, Alessandro won’t be able to divorce me no matter how
much he throws a tantrum.”
“Don’t be jealous, baby. You know I’ve always loved you. This kid might be his, but I promise the next one will be yours, okay?”
Each word hit Alessandro like a bullet. His breathing grew ragged, eyes blazing with murderous rage.
He slammed the door open. Sofia instinctively hung up, her expression morphing from panic to a practiced smile in
an instant.
“Alessandro! Should you even be out of the hospital? Your doctor said-”
“Who the fuck were you talking to?” His voice was deadly quiet.
Sofia’s pupils contracted with fear, but she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, switching to damage control
mode.
“Just my friend asking about the new Prada collection. I got emotional thinking about our divorce and wasn’t really listening to her.”
“Is something wrong?”
Alessandro laughed coldly, advancing toward her step by step.
“Who were you calling a slut? Who’s jealous? And what’s this bullshit about being pregnant?”
The color drained from Sofia’s face. She grabbed his sleeve desperately, her eyes pleading.
“You misheard! My friend was jealous because I’ve been with you instead of shopping with her. Nobody called
anyone-”
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I Love You So Much. But I Just Don’t Like You’Artyrca
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Chapter 17
Alessandro yanked his arm away with such force she stumbled backward.
“What did you do to make Aria leave?”
“Don’t make me tear your life apart to find out. What did you say to her? What did you do?”
She fell back on her usual tactics–large tears streaming down her perfect cheeks as she gasped pitifully.
“Nothing! I swear! I only found out when you told me!”
This time, her performance fell on stone.
He seized her wrist, his expression darkening to something dangerous, his grip tightening until she winced in genuine pain.
“I’m done playing games, Sofia. Tell me everything right now, or I swear to God I’ll make you regret every manipulation, every lie, every goddamn tear you’ve ever faked.”
“You seem to have forgotten who I really am when I’m pushed too far.”
You So Much. But I Just Don’t Like You
