Altezza returned to his parents' house with an unsettled feeling that had persisted since he woke up this morning. He kept thinking about his wife, but he couldn't reach her because Jovanka wouldn't let go of him.
He had to wait for Jovanka to fall asleep so he could free himself and leave. Strangely, the house was quiet. Both of his parents were not there, and their housekeeper said they were out of town.
Altezza also didn't see his mother-in-law and his wife's aunt. Could they be somewhere else?
Altezza then walked towards his room. When he opened the door, the room felt cold. Not as warm as yesterday when Altezza returned. Altezza smiled, recalling the moment when he hugged Adaline and felt their baby's kicks for the first time.
If only this problem hadn't arisen. Altezza was sure he wouldn't be late to know about that important moment. But what can he do now? He couldn't turn back time, could he?
Altezza sat on the bed and rubbed his chest. Why wouldn't this uneasiness go away?
Adaline, Adaline, Adaline. That name repeatedly filled his head. He didn't want to think about something bad happening, but his mind couldn't shift.
Altezza reached for his phone, then tried to call his wife's phone. The call went through, but faintly Altezza heard another ringing tone in the room. Did Adaline forget to bring her phone? He wondered, furrowing his brow.
Altezza searched for the muffled sound's source. He stepped away from the bed and finally found the phone in the top drawer of Adaline's dressing table.
Nothing seemed out of place. The dressing table was still filled with Adaline's beauty products. But why did Altezza feel something was off?
Right beneath the still ringing phone, Altezza found a folded white paper, and it made him increasingly uncomfortable.
Altezza saw his name written in bold letters on the outside of the folded paper, and with a pounding heart, Altezza gathered the courage to read it.
Dear Altezza,
Firstly, I apologize if this writing is not neat. ^-^
Al, if you are reading this letter, it means you are searching for my whereabouts. And I'm sorry if I'm not with you right now.
I want to thank you for all your kindness towards me. My mother and my aunt. My gratitude towards you cannot be expressed in words. But one thing's for sure, I am grateful to have met you.
I'm sorry for expressing all of this through a letter. I just feel unable to say it directly to you because I'm too ashamed. And my tongue always fails me.
Al... you once said that you wanted to fix our marital intentions. At that time, I said the same thing. And we both tried. But now I'm desperate, so I chose to give up.
I feel like you are indeed better off with her because her love for you is immense.
I also told her that I wouldn't ask you to choose between us, and I kept my promise to her because you chose her first, even though I honestly admit that it hurts my heart.
But what can I do? I can't keep holding on, and my heart can't keep lying.
I don't want to burden you.
When you said that she needed you more, I actually wanted to scream that I needed you too. But again, it comes back to my promise that I don't want to make you suffer by having to choose.
Maybe it's true what you said, that there are many people who will take care of me, while she is just one person. But honestly, no matter how many people care about me, I only want your attention.
Al, I've told you before not to ask me to do what I can't do. Not to ask me to give what I can't give. Because I've given what I can to you without you asking.
I have given you my heart without you asking. And I have also given you plenty of time and opportunities to make all our wishes come true.
And now you're asking me to be patient and wait. That's something I can't do. I can't give.
I can't be patient waiting for you anymore.
I'm not an angel, I'm not a good woman either. I'm not patient.
I know my limits. When I feel it's enough, then it's enough. I've waited long enough for you and I've felt patient enough. So now I choose to give up.
You don't need to worry. As per our initial agreement, I will take care of the baby in my womb well. And I will make sure that after they are born, I will hand them both to you without demanding anything.
I won't even ask for custody, or the right to see them. I assure you I won't even touch them until you allow it.
Once again, I'm sorry. Sorry for leaving without permission. Which I shouldn't have done as a wife.
But from the moment you stepped out towards her apartment, I had already made up my mind to part ways with you.
I can't file for divorce because of my pregnancy. But I've kept our wedding ring in a box that I kept in the corner of the drawer where you found this letter.
Thank you for all your kindness. You introduced me to Mamma and Padre. Because of this marriage, I finally feel like I have complete parents again. Having siblings who love me, which I've longed for. You've given me happiness that I can't exchange for anything.
Always take care of yourself. Be happy and don't overwork yourself.
Sorry for all the mistakes I've ever made.
Regards,
Adaline Scott.
Altezza stared at the paper in his hand with disbelief. What does this mean? Is Adaline playing a joke on him? What kind of regards is this?
He opened the drawer wider. And there were several jewelry boxes. Not just their wedding rings but all the jewelry Altezza had ever bought for Adaline, including their wedding gifts, neatly stored as his wife had written in the letter.
All the debit and credit cards Altezza had made for his wife were lying there. Except for their marriage certificate, which was missing.
Altezza searched the entire room. Scanning with his eyes. Looking for any more surprises that might be made for him.
He opened the closet door roughly. Adaline's clothes were still there. Even the bags given by Altezza were still stored in the same position as before.
He left the room and walked towards the room occupied by his Aunt and Mother-in-law. His knocks turned into rough bangs when there was no response from inside. Impatiently, he opened the door forcefully.
The room was silent and cold.
Altezza walked to the wardrobe, just like he did with his wardrobe. He opened it roughly and found it empty. Not a single thread left as if it had never been used before.
He walked back. Half running out of the room and shouting the names of the household assistants and gardeners.
"Where is Mother, Aunt Emma, and Adaline?" He asked all his staff. They exchanged glances and shook their heads. "Tell me where they are? When did they leave?" He asked more like a shout.