Chapter 4
459 Words
Sergio went quiet. After a while, he looked at me again, a faintly assessing edge in his eyes. "So that's it? That's why you're asking for a divorce? You think you haven't been given enough?"
Finally, I lost all hopes. I stepped back, grabbed the divorce agreement again, and shoved it hard against his chest. "Enough, Sergio. Stop stalling. It's over."
Sergio still didn't take the document. Instead, he caught my wrist, confusion flickering in his gaze. "I don't get it, Marella. If you feel like it's not enough, I can give you more, everything. I can sign over authority right now. I'll have the servants in this house properly disciplined so they listen to you."
He hesitated, as if weighing something heavy. Then he went on. "And if you really can't stand Louisa, I can send her out of the house. As for your parents, you've always worried they were being mistreated outside. We can bring them here for a while, darling."
His grip softened as his voice lowered, "As long as you're happy, I can make concessions."
I looked at Sergio, nothing in my eyes but exhaustion and sorrow. If this had happened two days ago, if my parents were still alive, if my wedding hadn't turned into a nightmare, maybe I would've forgiven him. But it was already too late.
"No need, Sergio. I only want one thing now," I said, "a divorce."
Sergio's expression shifted. The atmosphere instantly became tense as he warned me, cold and sharp, "Marella, don't take this any further. The second you step out that door today, you'll regret it."
I let out a laugh, grabbed my phone, and turned toward the exit. "If I stay, that's what I'll truly regret."
Sergio instinctively took a couple of steps after me. In the light, I caught his shadow trailing behind, like he meant to reach out and pull me back. But in the end, his hand only grazed my arm, never quite holding on.
"Sergio!" The front door swung open, and Louisa stood there, locking eyes with him. "She's only trying to provoke you into chasing her. Don't fall for it. Once she's out there and sees how cruel the world is, she'll come back begging!"
Sergio froze. He didn't move to stop me anymore, just stood there as I brushed past Louisa's shoulder and walked straight through the open door.
'Louisa's right.' Sergio thought to himself. 'In a few days, once Marella realizes how unforgiving the outside world is, she'll come back in tears like before, throwing herself into my arms and begging for safety. And maybe only then will she finally grow up and act like a proper lady of the Pagano family. She won't dare bring up divorce again.'
- Writer
