The next few days were quiet. Elyna kept flaunting their relationship like it was her full-time job. Cedric stayed moody, but I wasn’t about to chase after him this time.
A month later, Elyna dropped the bomb—she was pregnant.
Cedric lit up like he’d hit the jackpot. Wedding plans launched overnight, and the whole house turned into prep central.
This time, she got the baby. And I was finally ready to walk away.
Once my documents cleared, I booked a one-way ticket to Italvia.
Date of departure? The same day they said “I do.”
Cedric cracked before I left. Found me while Elyna was out, barged into my room.
He held up his phone to show me an email. “You touched the money your parents left? Lawyer says it’s a deposit for studying abroad. Seriously? You’re running off just ’cause I’m getting married?”
My heart stuttered, but then he kept talking and it sort of… steadied.
When I didn’t say anything, he scowled. “Still giving me the silent treatment? A whole month, Reine. If I hadn’t come, were you just gonna ghost me forever?
“You’ve been off since Elyna moved in. But she’s the one I love. If you ever cared about me, you’d accept the people I care about too. Don’t hide from us like this.
“Sure, you can dodge us now, but after I marry her? What then? You gonna vanish for good?”
I shook my head. “You’ve got it all wrong. I see you as the person who raised me. I’m just… grateful. That’s all.”
He laughed like I’d just cracked the best joke. “Grateful? Come on, Reine. Everyone knows you’re hopelessly in love with me. You really think anyone’s buying the gratitude act? Do you even believe it?”
His gaze landed on my desk. He smirked. “You’ve kept every gift I gave you. Still pretending this isn’t love?”
