Chapter48
My friend pulled up Antonio’s Facebook profile.
“Antonio and Stella have been inseparable lately.
“Anyone who didn’t know better would think were the woman in his photos.”
Antonio had blocked me on Facebook.
He had never posted a single picture of me.
Now, his profile was plastered with images of Stella’s back: at amusement parks, trying on wedding dresses, watching the sunrise over the ocean.
It was clear he was deeply in love with her.
My friend looked at me with concern.
“Don’t be too upset. If Antonio knew about Stella’s past, he would break up with her.”
“I’m fine. I’m over him,” I smiled, genuinely feeling a sense of release.
In a few days, I’d be gone from this place forever.
I wouldn’t waste another moment grieving over Antonio.
When Antonio, whom I hadn’t seen for days, showed up, I didn’t react.
He glanced around, happily texting someone. “Didn’t you decorate the
house?” he asked.
“You said you wanted to keep things simple. So did I.”
He said nothing, his gaze falling on the small checkboard where I’d been counting down the days until the wedding. “Time flies. Our wedding is in a week.” He said with a smile.
I erased the number and wrote “5“. “Our wedding is in five days.”
Antonio never paid attention to the details of my life.
My mother called, and I stepped onto the balcony to take the call.
When I returned. Antonio was still engrossed in his phone. “Who was that? I thought I heard you mention a visa.”
“Work,” I said indifferently.
“By the way, don’t bother planning a honeymoon. I’m too busy.” Antonio continued, still staring at his phone.
“I know.” I started packing my suitcase.
Since Stella’s return, Antonio couldn’t bear to be away from her.
Seeing me pack, Antonio suddenly asked, “Where’s your ring?”
A moment later, he realized he wasn’t wearing his either.
“I lost it,” I said casually, unconcerned about the whereabouts of his ring.
Antonio looked like he wanted to explain something, but his phone rang with Stella’s unique ringtone.
He glanced at it, stood up, and kissed my forehead. “Sorry, honey. Work has been crazy. I promise to make you the happiest woman alive once this
is all over.”
He was suddenly overflowing with sweet nothings.
I felt disgust instead of joy.
I ignored him and continued packing.
Time crawled by.
The day before the wedding arrived.
The corresponding note on the calendar read “family dinner.”
It had been my greatest wish for over two decades.
But I knew it would never happen.
My mother would never forgive my father, and I would never forgive Antonio.
I went to the Ferris wheel alone and watched the sunset.
Meanwhile, Stella posted a picture of a large family dinner.
My father was smiling at Antonio as he served him food.
The caption read, “Both families met to finalize the wedding details.”
I was amused, not angry.
Whose wedding. I wondered. Stella’s or mine?
I blocked and deleted Stella. I started to type a message to Antonio, but after several revisions, I decided against sending it.
Just as I was about to leave, Antonio called, “Where are you? Why aren’t you at home? Send me your location. I miss you.”
He arrived shortly afterward.
Getting into the car, I noticed a pink cushion on the passenger seat.
Beneath it was a pair of white lace underwear.
Chapter
I sighed and climbed into the back.
Antonio, still glued to his phone, didn’t notice.
He casually asked, “Why the sudden trip to the amusement park? Are the wedding preparations finished?”
“Almost,” I replied flatly.
“I remember you’ve always wanted to ride the Ferris wheel,” Antonio continued. “I’ll take you sometime when I’m free.“