"Altezza?! Why are you like this? You used to say you loved me, but why have you changed like this?"
"Yes, but that was then. Back then, when you were the Jovanka I knew. The Jovanka who promised to be a good wife. The Jovanka who promised to give me many children.
"And I lost that love when the Jovanka I knew changed. Changed into an ambitious Jovanka. A Jovanka who likes to break promises," Altezza said flatly, almost without emotion.
"Altezza, you know my dreams. You know what I want to become. You gave me hope to pursue my dreams."
"Yes, I did. I pushed you, I supported you to reach those dreams. But you never felt satisfied.
"When I asked you to stop, you didn't want to. Even though all I asked for was a momentary pause so you could at least fulfill my dreams, but you didn't make it happen.
"And I'm tired. Tired of giving you time. Tired of asking you to fulfill my desires," Altezza emphasized.
"Altezza, please. Haven't I promised that this is the last time? Now I'm back. Let's fix everything from the beginning," Jovanka pleaded with a pitiful face.
"I'm sorry. But my decision is also final. I'm a man, and I can't just retract my words like that. I've told you that I will find someone else. And I did.
"So now I hope you can accept my decision. Please live your life as you wish. And I will do the same," Altezza replied coldly.
"Al...?"
"I have a new life now. And you can continue your life. I hope you don't need to bother me anymore."
"But I love you..." Jovanka said loudly.
Altezza was touched. Seeing tears on that beautiful face made him want to embrace Jovanka tightly. But he tried to restrain himself.
Adaline. That one name flashed in his mind. Like a subconscious alarm warning him.
"But I no longer have love for you," Altezza replied coldly.
The woman wailed and cried loudly, covering her face with her small hands. But Altezza remained unmoved.
No, he mustn't falter. He had to endure. He mustn't fall back into the charm of that woman.
Jovanka was just the past. Meanwhile, Adaline and the baby in her womb were his future.
"I hope we never meet again. I hope this is our last encounter.
"We started everything well, and I've ended it well. And if you don't accept this separation, it's not my concern.
"Remember that I've given you chances time and time again. But each opportunity I gave, you returned with disappointment." Despite Jovanka's increasing cries, Altezza walked away.
**Flashback off**
Adaline. Once again, that name echoed in his mind, and the beautiful face of his wife lingered in his thoughts.
Altezza felt guilty. Because in his busyness over the past two days, he forgot to contact his wife. How was his little wife doing? It seemed Altezza needed to surprise her.
Altezza walked towards the hotel parking area and got into his car. On the way, he spotted a flower shop. Altezza pulled over. After chatting with the shop owner, Altezza chose light pink roses.
He also stopped by a bakery. Knowing Adaline loved tiramisu, he bought a large tiramisu cake.
Altezza entered the lobby of the Coskun Company just as Antony was leaving. "What are you doing here?" his cousin asked in surprise.
"Is this how you welcome someone who has enriched your company?" Altezza retorted sarcastically.
"That's not what I meant. I'm asking what you're doing here. Duncan and Gian just took your wife to the hospital."
Altezza was incredulous, but Antony seemed serious. Especially since it was about the hospital.
"You don't know?" Antony asked skeptically. "What kind of husband are you?" His question was accompanied by a tone of displeasure. It was clear Antony was angry with him, and Altezza felt there was more to Antony's anger than just Adaline's health issue.
"Follow me," he ordered roughly. "I'm also going to the hospital. Gian has informed your mother about Adaline, and it seems they are already at the hospital." They got into the car that Antony's driver had prepared. "Has Adaline found out about your ex-wife?" The question came out so suddenly, and it surprised Altezza.
Adaline knew that he had been married before, but she didn't know who his ex-wife was. Altezza's silence was his response to Antony's question.
"Three days ago, Jovanka came here looking for you. She thought you were still working here and asked to meet you. Unfortunately, Gian showed up instead. We had a confrontation because she insisted on meeting you.
"We argued, and Adaline was there, even though she was hiding behind one of the pillars. I thought she already knew who your ex-wife was, so she chose to listen by hiding behind the pillar.
"But it seems I was wrong. She didn't know that your husband's ex-wife is a supermodel."
"What did she say?" Antony recounted all his conversations with Jovanka.
"Damn it!" Altezza cursed. He rubbed his temples, suddenly feeling a throbbing pain. So, was that the reason why he couldn't find Adaline in their bed when he returned to the apartment three days ago?
Altezza thought his wife needed some time alone. But it seemed she was clearly trying to avoid him.
And to make matters worse, that morning Altezza had rushed, so he didn't wait for his wife to wake up and talk to her.
Also, Altezza hadn't contacted her at all because he felt there was nothing wrong.
And it turns out he had indeed made a serious mistake. A mistake that was very fatal. He had damaged her trust in him. And now Altezza had to find a way to regain that trust.
"This time you have to work extra hard, Cousin. Because if I observe, Adaline is not someone easy to control.
"Adaline is a woman of conviction. And clearly, a woman who doesn't like to depend on men is a woman who is very difficult to conquer.
"Flattery and sweet talk won't be enough for a woman like her. Even with proof, it's not guaranteed to move her heart.
"A woman like her won't easily forgive when she's hurt. I don't mean to scare you. But I'm just reminding you of the past, the love story of your parents.
"And about your ex. If in the future there are issues between you three, then from now on, I decide that whatever happens, I will stand behind Adaline."
The warning tone of those words marked the end of their conversation. Because a moment later, they arrived at the hospital parking lot.