Chapter 103
Aria’s POV
Two weeks. It’s been two weeks since I left the ranch, and every single day, without fail, the flowers arrive. One of the triplets, Matteo, Enzo, or Dante, makes sure of it. I’m never. sure which one it is, but it doesn’t matter. They’re always the same: red roses, perfectly arranged.
Every time I open my door and see them, my heart clenches. The note is always the same too: “We’re waiting. We’ll always be waiting.” I hate them. And yet, I can’t throw them away. They feel like a promise, a reminder of what I lost, or maybe what I never really had. My fingers trace the soft petals before I force myself to leave them on the table. I should be angry. I am angry. But every time I try to make myself stop caring, a part of me holds on.
I need to focus on something else. I decide to throw myself into my work. I miss being at the clinic, taking care of the animals. They don’t judge me. They don’t make me feel like I’m always on the outside, always struggling to fit in. When I’m at the vet, I feel like I’m doing something right.
The hours fly by as I clean kennels, assist with surgeries, and give shots to pets who just don’t know how to be still. I enjoy the busy routine. The animals are comforting, in their own way. Their needs are simple, and I can handle that.
By the time my shift is over, I’m exhausted, physically and mentally. I step out into the cool evening air, ready to head home and escape my thoughts for a while.
But then I see them.
Matteo. With a woman.
I freeze.
She’s stunning–tall, slim, the kind of model–perfect beauty I never thought I’d see in my life. Her long, shiny black hair catches the light as she laughs, her smile bright and confident. They look so natural together, the way they talk, the way he opens the door for her. The way he looks at her. I feel a cold twist in my stomach as my heart sinks..
I don’t want to watch them, but I can’t look away. My feet are glued to the pavement. She’s laughing again, and he’s smiling like everything is perfect. They look… perfect. They don’t belong to each other, not in my world, but they look like they do.
He opens the door for her, and she slides into the car. They drive off, the sound of the engine fading as they disappear into the night.
I can’t breathe. I can’t move.
It hits me, and it hits hard. He’s moved on. Just like that. Matteo has someone else. And I–I’m still stuck, still holding on to a memory that never had a chance.
A mix of anger and sadness swirls inside me. I feel like everything I thought was real has just crumbled away. Matteo wasn’t waiting for me. He wasn’t pining for me. He was just… gone..
I turn, walking quickly, desperately trying to escape the thoughts that keep racing through my mind. I don’t know where I’m going, but I know I can’t stay here. Not where I might see them again. Not where I might see how easily he’s moved on.
I keep walking, faster now, ignoring the ache in my chest. I just want to get home. I just want to lock myself in and forget about everything.
Once I reach my apartment, I collapse on the couch. The tears come then, hot and fast. I try to tell myself it’s stupid, that I have no right to feel this way. But I do. I do have the right. I loved him. I thought he loved me. I was wrong.
I reach for my phone, the need to talk to someone overwhelming. Grace picks up after the second ring. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Grace,” I start, my voice breaking before I can say anything else. “I saw Matteo tonight. With a woman. She’s… beautiful, and they’re together. Laughing, talking, like they’ve been doing this for months.” I can’t stop the words from spilling out. “It hurt so much. How could he move on
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Chapter 103
so easily? Was I just a joke to him?”
There’s silence on the other end for a moment before Grace speaks, her tone calm. “Aria, I think you’re jumping to conclusions. You don’t know what’s going on. Maybe it’s not what you think.”
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No, Grace. I know what I saw. He’s moved on. I can’t… I can’t keep pretending like this doesn’t hurt.”
She sighs softly, and I can almost hear the concern in her voice. “Okay, well… maybe it’ll help if we go out tonight. Hit the club? Let loose a little. You deserve some fun.”
I don’t think twice. I just need something, anything, to make me forget. “Yeah, let’s go. I need to forget about everything.”
I grab my purse and change into something that makes me feel a little bit better about myself. But deep inside, I’m still aching, still torn between anger and sadness. Still stuck in the memory of Matteo and the woman in the car.
I stand in front of the mirror, my hands lingering on the lacy fabric of my dress. It’s simple but feels a little special–black, stretchy, hugging my curves just enough to make me feel confident without screaming for attention. The neckline isn’t too low, just enough to give a hint of skin, and the sleeves are short, ending right above my elbows. It’s comfortable, nothing too flashy, but I still feel like it gives me a sense of control, a sense of strength, even if my heart’s in pieces. The fabric feels soft against my skin, but the weight of the evening makes it feel heavier than it should. Still, I pull it on, hoping it’ll make me feel better, even if only for a night.
As we step out into the night, I can’t help but wonder… Will he ever regret it?
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