Chapter 22
After bringing Willow into his life, Alessandro mentioned Aria less frequently. He indulged Willow’s increasingly bold behavior as she began documenting their relationship online.
Her carefully curated Instagram posts portrayed the classic fairy tale: powerful CEO rescues struggling student from nightclub work. Her TikToks of their luxurious dates accumulated millions of views.
Her most recent post featured Alessandro throwing her an extravagant birthday celebration that ended with him on one knee, ring in hand.
The proposal video exploded across platforms. In just two months, Willow had transformed from unknown server to social media darling with millions of followers.
Her final update announced their wedding in two weeks, promising a full livestream for her dedicated followers.
Those fourteen days vanished in a blur. Despite the compressed timeline, Alessandro spared no expense. The venue was breathtaking–cascading flowers, crystal chandeliers, and a guest list featuring Milan’s elite. Media outlets crowded the perimeter, broadcasting live to millions..
The hashtag #ValentiniWedding dominated trending charts worldwide.
At precisely noon, the ceremony began.
Everything proceeded flawlessly until the officiant asked: “Alessandro Valentini, do you take this woman to be your wife? In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, do you promise to stand by her side forever?”
Alessandro’s smile never wavered, but his voice turned glacial.
“No.”
Willow’s expression crumbled. She clutched his arm desperately.
“Alex, what are you doing? This isn’t funny!”
He shook off her hand with such force that she stumbled in her stilettos, collapsing onto the marble steps. Alessandro looked down at her, contempt replacing any previous warmth.
“Did you really think I’d marry someone like you? I’ve known from the beginning who sent you.”
Willow froze, speechless with shock.
Alessandro remained unnervingly calm, signaling for the livestream cameras to continue rolling.
Online, viewer counts skyrocketed as notifications fired across phones worldwide: “VALENTINI WEDDING
DISASTER HAPPENING LIVE.”
“This woman was sent by a business rival who thought they could manipulate me,” Alessandro announced to the
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I Love You So Much. But I Just Don’t Like You Anymo
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Chapter 22
cameras, voice cutting through the shocked murmurs. “They found someone who resembled the woman I truly love. I played along, encouraged her social media presence, even invested in boosting her engagement–all for this moment.”
His expression softened, vulnerability suddenly replacing the cold calculation.
“Aria Collins,” his voice broke slightly on her name, “I know I failed you in every way that matters. I betrayed your trust. I took for granted the most precious gift I’ve ever received–your love.”
“But you are the only woman I will ever truly want as my wife. The only one who saw me at my worst and loved me anyway. The only one who never wanted anything from me but me.”
“Wherever you are right now, please know this: I will search forever if that’s what it takes. Cities, countries, continents–no distance is too far.”
“You promised once to stay by my side always. I’m begging you to give me one more chance to deserve that promise.”
His voice grew stronger as he addressed the millions watching: “To everyone viewing this–if anyone knows where Aria is, if you’ve seen her, spoken to her, please contact me. There will be a significant reward, but more importantly, you’ll be helping repair what I foolishly broke.”
Behind him, the screen that had displayed romantic photos of him and Willow flickered, transforming into a slideshow of Aria’s smiling face.
Seconds later, the livestream abruptly cut to black.
Mrs. Valentini stood below the stage, her face a mask of fury as she ended a call on her phone.
She had ordered the broadcast terminated. Looking at her son’s desperate expression, she felt nothing but bitter disappointment.
As security escorted a sobbing Willow away, Alessandro’s friends hurried him to his waiting car.
“Was that theatrical production really necessary?” Marcus asked once the doors closed. “You’ve completely torched- your mother’s social standing.”
Alessandro leaned back, watching notification after notification flood his phone as clips of his speech spread across. every platform.
“This will reach millions of eyes worldwide. Every social media user becomes my personal investigator now.” He smiled faintly. “As long as she comes back, nothing else matters.”
Love You So Much But I Just Don’t Like Y
