Chapter 32 CHARLOTTE The drive back home was slow and excruciatingly painful .
I had to park by the side of the road a few times to convince myself that I would arrive at the estate in one piece .
My body trembled slightly as the recollection of seeing Rogerio propose to his ex girlfriend remained permanently etched into my memory .
I barely knew her , but from the conversations we had when our relationship was still hopeful , I knew she had shattered his heart into a million pieces with her disappearance .
I had thought our marital issues stemmed from an issue between both of us , one we could work on , but this was something different .
It wasnt a marriage that was done because one or both of us had issues that could not be fixed or tolerated .
He had simply returned to the woman he truly loved .
For the first time since we were married , I truly comprehended what unrequited love felt like .
My thoughts shifted to the first night we met at the bar .
He had walked in looking dejected , and I knew that he needed someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on .
As our friendship blossomed , I was more than happy to be there for him , which made seeing him feel like someone had poured a bowl of hot coal down my throat .
I drove through the streets , feeling diverse emotions that were currently beyond my comprehension .
When I arrived at the estate , I parked the car a few feet away from the gate and sobbed profusely .
I loved him .
He might not believe it given the circumstances surrounding our union, but I cared for him so much , yet that wasnt enough .
I was smart enough to conceal my presence at the engagement party , which was technically futile .
The only faces I could recognize in the crowd were Rogerios , his moms , and his grandfathers .
Their presence was enough to tell me everything I needed to know .
If they supported his actions , there wasnt much my refusal to sign the documents would do .
I know when Im beaten , I muttered with a sniffle , and I started the ignition .
I reached for the steering wheel and paused midway .
I cant let Maria see me like this .
I took deep breaths until I felt calmer and wiped my face clean of the tears that streaked down my cheeks continuously .
I mentally prepared myself for a conversation with her ; it would take a lot of effort to stop the waterworks that threatened to go off , but I was determined to pull it off .
This had become a theres no use crying over spilled milk situation , and for my benefit , I had to try to hold onto that thought process .
I lowered my gaze and closed my eyes for a few minutes .
I had returned to a life of being on my own .
I had hoped Rogerio and I would build a family together , but alas , if wishes were horses , we would have a lot of happy people galloping around Milan .
I couldnt bring myself to understand why he would go back to the person who abandoned him a few weeks before our wedding , but I knew I wasnt getting any closure for that .
The only option I had was to move on , and perhaps it was for a good cause .
I opened my eyes as the sound of the gates creaking as they opened brought me back to the present .
I looked up to see Maria standing at the security post .
I exhaled slowly and drove toward her .
When I crossed the entrance , I waited until she had locked the gates and got into the car .
The walk to the front door was annoyingly long , and it would be unfair to drive off , leaving her to find her way back .
When she settled into the passengers seat , she took one look at my face and sighed .
I tried to start a 31-30 Dancing into the Heart of Mr.
Cald 20.5 % Chapter 32 conversation , but when I opened my mouth , no words came out .
She gave a little nod and smiled sadly .
Drive , Signora .
Dinners waiting .
Her gentle tone and understanding expression filled me with a wave of sadness and appreciation .
She knew I had gone searching for answers and found something I didnt like .
I was grateful she didnt ask any questions or push for details about my day .
If I had to recount what I had seen , I wasnt sure how I would react .
We drove in silence , and when we entered the house , the smell of freshly baked pastries filled the atmosphere .
What are we having for dinner ? I asked , and she chuckled lightly .
I locked gazes with her as a confused look crossed my face .
Were having pasta , she said and she started to walk towards the kitchen .
I thought it would be fun to have some , in the bowl you fell asleep in that night .
She added and stopped in her tracks to look at me .
I intended to create something to lighten the mood after , you know .
Now I think its a bad idea .
I shook my head in response and managed to chuckle .
There are no bad ideas , Maria .
I dont believe in those .
There are simply poorly executed ones , but I think I can take a joke .
I resisted the urge to add that my entire life currently feels like a terrible movie .
If she was trying to lighten the mood , I wasnt going to do anything to dim her efforts .
Lets have pasta .
Itll be a delight .
She grinned and fiddled with the hem of her dress .
Very well then ; Ill bring it to your room .
No.
Ill take a quick bath and retreat to the library ; Ive got some unfinished business there .
She nodded in response and exited the hall .
I spent a few more minutes studying the paintings on the wall .
I had never been interested in art , but perhaps this was a point in my life where I could try new things .

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I pulled my attention away from the paintings as I slowly made my way to the room .
I had no intention of selling anything in the house , nor was I going to auction the property to prospective buyers , but I knew I couldnt stay here .
Everything reminded me of him and his family , who had never wanted me in their lives .
A fresh start would be nice , somewhere different , I whispered to myself as I turned the knob of the bedroom door and pushed it open .
Maria was right ; I needed something to diffuse the tension that enveloped the estate , and I knew the perfect way to achieve that .
After having dinner in the library , I reached for the envelope containing the divorce documents with shaky hands .
I skimmed through the sentences while continuously swatting at the tears that formed at the corners of my eyes .
Crying doesnt change anything , I mumbled and reached for a pen .
I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment as I thought about the decision before me .
Signing these documents meant that I was free to do whatever I wanted without receiving any backlash , but it also meant that I could never be within proximity of Rogerio and his … old flame that had been reignited .
The thought of them together sent a shiver down my spine .
This was a nightmare I wasnt sure I would ever wake up from .
I opened my eyes and hurriedly put down my signature in the appropriate places before I found a way to convince myself to fight for a partner who didnt recognize my existence .
I need to stop thriving in folly , I said to myself and put down the pen .
It was done ; signing these papers meant that Rogerio and I were officially over .
I stared at the signatures for a few 21:21 O Dancing into the Heart of Mr.
Co 20.8 % Chapter 32 minutes , stood up , and exited the room slowly .
I returned to the bedroom and called the lawyer to schedule a date so we could get this over with quickly .
He sent me a text a few hours later informing me about the location of the meeting .
I counted the hours till I could see his face one last time .
The day finally came , and I decided to look my best .
I might be losing my marriage and feeling like the world was ending , but I didnt need to look like that .
If Rogerio and I were going to see each other for the last time , I wanted him to see that I was capable of handling myself without his help .
I arrived at the venue and let my lawyer do all the talking .
I barely had anything to say to him , but my heart felt heavy .
After I had signed the documents , I thought it would be easier to let go , but being in the same room with him filled me with emotions I struggled to keep in check .
I was grateful he had the decency to make it a private hearing ; it wouldve been more destabilizing to experience this in front of people who were practically strangers .
One of the worst things to deal with is people with biased op