Chapter 5

When I returned home, I was surprised to find Luca waiting for me. Usually, when I came back late, he would already be asleep.

His face lacked the morning's gloom and instead wore a softer expression, which made me a bit uneasy.

"Busy until this late? You haven't eaten, have you? What do you want? I'll take you out to eat."

"By the way, the screenshot my friend sent you was a misunderstanding. He meant to send it to his girlfriend, asking her which bag she liked."

"I picked one for you too-the red one you like the most."

I lowered my gaze. I had never liked red; it was too flashy. I had never worn red clothes or accessories.

Seeing my lack of response, Luca slowly approached, reaching out to pull me into his embrace.

"We've been busy planning the wedding. It feels like we haven't been close for ages."

"Since you're already so tired today, we can save that for another time."

His breath was hot against my face, much the same as before, though a hint of sweet women's perfume lingered.

I felt a wave of nausea rising in my stomach, instinctively jumping back as if shocked, fighting back the urge to retch.

I loathed any contact with Luca, even his closeness.

"Lilly, what's wrong with you?"

My unusual resistance surprised Luca, and his expression darkened instantly.

"It seems you really are exhausted. You should get some rest. It's not good to engage in intense activities before the wedding."

As he finished speaking, his phone suddenly buzzed.

I couldn't tell who was messaging him, but he looked anxious as he grabbed his coat and prepared to leave.

"I have something to take care of at the company. Don't be late for the wedding tomorrow."

With that, Luca slammed the door behind him, the noise echoing as I felt his urgency.

Rubbing my temples, I finally relaxed when he was gone, exhaustion washing over me.

Passing by the study, I noticed his work computer still lit with a faint glow. Luca never let me enter his study; he said it was where he focused on his work.

Notifications pinged continuously, and for the first time, I felt compelled to step inside. I discovered he hadn't logged out of WeChat.

The chat window was open, and it was Lola: she had been drinking and vomiting twice and was now in the hospital.

Luca had rushed out to see her and take care of her.

Suddenly, I remembered a time I had a high fever and called Luca; he impatiently hung up, telling me to take some medicine.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying on the floor, and I had to wrap myself in a coat and take a taxi to the hospital.

That night, Luca didn't come back.

The next day, he didn't show up either, with no explanation.

The wedding venue was set at the church Lola loved most. I knew this because of last night's chat where Lola cried, wishing him happiness on his wedding day.

She had said she wanted to get married in a church and asked Luca to make her happy.

But I didn't go. I spent the entire day packing my things, and by nightfall, Luca still hadn't called.

It felt like suddenly no one remembered this wedding.

After all, it was fake. Luca never intended to marry me.

In the early hours, I tore off the last page of the calendar and threw it in the trash.

I packed all the wedding decorations I had prepared and sold them to a scrap collector.

At three in the morning, I took my suitcase and left for the airport.

As the driver passed the church where I was supposed to get married, I glanced over. It was deserted, with no flowers at the entrance.

It didn't look like a place for a wedding; it felt more like a grave for marriage.

By five in the morning, I arrived at the airport.

I found two new voice messages from Luca.

As I opened them, his angry voice blared out: "Lilly, are you messing with me?"

"I'm at the church. Where are you?"

"Do you even know that Lola is coming to our wedding after getting alcohol poisoning? Do you have any manners?"

"I don't care where you are, whether in the lab or on the way, just hurry up! Aren't you going to marry me? How did you chase after me back then?"

I suppressed my urge to vomit; I could see Luca clearly now. I only felt he was rude and lacked charm.

I had been blind for ten years.

Coldly, I typed on the keyboard, feeling sick with every word I wrote.

"I'm not getting married. Let's break up. I wish you and Lola happiness."