Last Regret: Goodbye to my cheating ex

Chapter 3

Chiara’s POV

I knocked once on the door to our family’s private ski cabin before stepping inside, greeted by confused, then joyous expressions on my family’s faces. My mother was the first to rush over, pulling me into such a tight hug I thought my lungs might collapse.

Thankfully, my dad and brother weren’t quite as aggressive with their affection. Christmas has always been a big deal for us—even though Antonio and I are grown, Mom still goes all out. I was just relieved I had already bought their gifts before heading home yesterday.

If I hadn’t, I would've had to show up empty-handed or stop to shop on the way—and I wasn’t about to waste time in the same house where Peter and his mistress were still sleeping in our bed. I also had his gift, but there was no way I was giving that cheating bastard a designer watch he didn’t deserve. Antonio would understand.

“You’re just in time for the presents, my precious girl!” Mom beamed, already pulling my suitcase toward the large tree that dominated the living room.

Luckily, everyone was too caught up in the excitement of me showing up to start asking questions—at least until the last of the wrapping paper had been ripped off and Antonio’s curiosity kicked in.

“I thought you and that fiancé of yours couldn’t make it. What happened? Where is he?” he asked, the disdain in his voice unmistakable.

“I don’t have a fiancé anymore. Peter’s out of the picture, and I’d much rather spend Christmas with my family than let him ruin it,” I answered, carefully avoiding details.

“What did he do?” Dad asked, voice low and sharp—more of a demand than a question.

“Dad, let’s not ruin Christmas talking about him,” I tried, hoping I could steer this away.

But one look at their faces told me that wasn’t going to happen. My mom, with her fiery Hungarian temper, and my Italian father—who believed family was everything—weren’t letting it go. I sighed, realizing this cloud wasn’t going to pass until I gave them the truth.

“I caught him in bed with a colleague. In our bed. They were laughing about me afterward… Turns out he only proposed because he found out who my family is,” I admitted, the bitterness still lingering.

“Bastardo! I will kill that rat,” Dad growled, slipping into Italian.

“Daddy, no. He’s not worth it. I walked away, gave him the ring, and I’m done. I just want to forget him,” I said firmly, not about to let Peter cause any more destruction.

It hurt—God, it had wrecked me at first—but that shock quickly burned into fury, then faded into numbness. I thought he was different. I was even planning to open up about my family background. But in the end, I was grateful. Grateful I hadn’t married a liar. Grateful I’d seen him for what he was.

“If he ever contacts you or tries anything, he’ll be handled,” Dad said with quiet conviction.

“Yes, Daddy,” I nodded.

After that, we managed to enjoy the rest of our day. Peter became a distant, unwanted memory, mentioned no more. They knew I was hurting, but they also knew I was strong. It wasn’t the loss of him that stung—it was the two years I wasted on someone so hollow.

Just being together with my family again after so long was like healing. Between our hectic careers and Peter’s endless excuses to avoid gatherings, I’d missed so much. I was also glad the Romano-Rossi joint Christmas wasn’t happening this year—I needed it to just be us.

Things had gotten awkward with Carli, Antonio’s best friend and Mr. Rossi’s son, a few years back. After realizing I had a crush on him, he made it painfully clear it wasn’t mutual.

He wasn’t exactly Brad Pitt. Tall, skinny, with glasses that didn’t suit him at all—kind of nerdy, if I’m honest. But he was smart. And I thought he was kind. I was wrong.

When he confronted me about my feelings, he looked me over like I was some disgusting joke. Said things like “girls like you” and “you’re more brains than anything else.” I wasn’t even mad he didn’t like me—I was mad that someone I thought was a friend could be so cruel.

And sure, maybe I had a few extra pounds—but you can lose weight. Fixing an ugly personality is a lot harder.

Antonio was furious when I started avoiding events Carli would attend. He thought I was being dramatic, until I told him what his best friend said to me—word for word.

Turns out, Antonio had noticed my crush and asked Carli to let me down “gently.” If that was gentle, we had very different definitions.

I was pissed at my brother, too. He should’ve just talked to me. It was a silly crush—I wasn’t planning a wedding. Eventually, we made peace, but it took time. He realized it wasn’t about rejection—it was about being humiliated by someone I trusted.

After that, I stopped caring whether Carli was around. Our paths just never crossed again, and that suited me just fine.

Those three days at the cabin flew by. But the good news? Antonio would be moving to the New York office after New Year’s. We’d be near each other again, and even get to travel back together.

Antonio managed the advertising division, so he could really work from anywhere. Lately, most of his big accounts had been in New York anyway. Carli was also there now. I got it—they were best friends. Just meant I had to mentally prepare for the occasional awkward run-in.

Mom and Dad were even thinking of relocating to New York for good. With most of the business shifting to Antonio, they’d have more freedom to be close to us. I had a feeling they’d make the move by summer.

Before I left, Mom and Dad made me promise to call them—or Antonio—if Peter so much as texted me. They knew I had my penthouse near the office, so I didn’t have to go back to his place for anything.

Not that I planned to. All the important memories and belongings I cared about were already at the penthouse. Peter could throw out the rest—I had everything I needed right where I was going.