Chapter 5: The Day He Realized She Was Really Gone

Matteo returned on the eighth.

Chiara had been quiet for most of the ride from the airport, staring out the window.

They had booked a car service and were sitting in the back seat.

Matteo bowed his head and texted Celeste.

“On my way home. Miss you.”

Ten days had passed since his last message.

He seemed completely unaware that there would be no answer.

When they reached the apartment, Matteo unlocked the door with a smile already forming on his face.

“Celeste?”

Silence.

He stepped inside and immediately noticed how empty the place looked.

The photographs that had once covered the walls were gone.

The framed picture from their first anniversary was missing from the shelf.

Even the little ceramic World Cup figurine he had kept beside the television had disappeared.

Chiara followed him inside, dragging her suitcase behind her.

“Maybe she went out,” she said softly.

Matteo frowned. “She knew I was coming back today.”

He walked toward the bedroom.

The closet door was open.

Half of the clothes were gone.

The drawers had been emptied, leaving only a few things he hadn’t bothered to notice before.

For the first time, something uneasy stirred in his chest.

He pulled out his phone and called Celeste.

The call went straight to voicemail.

He tried again.

Nothing.

“She’s probably still angry,” Chiara said.

Matteo gave a dismissive laugh. “She always does this. Give her a day.”

Then he noticed the envelope lying on the kitchen counter.

His name was written across the front.

He opened it.

Inside was a short letter.

Matteo,

I’ve moved out.

I’m not going to City Hall tomorrow, and I’m not coming back.

You made your choice. I’m simply respecting it.

There was no accusation.

No plea.

No request for an explanation.

That bothered him more than anger ever could.

“What does it say?” Chiara asked.

Matteo folded the letter quickly.

“Nothing important.”

Chiara watched him carefully.

“She really left?”

He nodded.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Chiara smiled faintly.

“Maybe this is for the best.”

Matteo looked at her.

She reached for his hand.

“You’ve spent twelve years trying to keep everyone happy. Maybe now you can finally live for yourself.”

Her fingers slipped between his.

The gesture should have felt comforting.

Instead, Matteo suddenly remembered Celeste standing in the hallway with those World Cup tickets in her hands.

He remembered the look on her face when she had said she was done.

He had assumed she would cool down.

He had assumed she would come back.

He had never imagined she would actually leave.

His phone buzzed.

A message from the airline appeared on his screen, reminding him that the tickets he had purchased for the ninth were nonrefundable.

Tomorrow was supposed to be their wedding day.

Matteo stared at the notification for a long time.

Then he opened his contacts and called Celeste again.

This time, the number was no longer in service.

His face changed.

“What happened?” Chiara asked.

Matteo slowly lowered the phone.

“She changed her number.”

Chiara’s smile disappeared.

For the first time, neither of them knew what to say.