The Donna He Took for Granted Chapter 03
At dawn, Corrado stood by the door with the insulated bag in his hand.
“Ottavia, I have to take Tessa to Geneva next week.
“I’ll clear some time Saturday so we can have dinner with your parents and discuss the wedding…”
I refused before he could finish.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Corrado froze. “What does that mean?”
I smiled and lied. “They’re still traveling.”
He stared at me as though he wanted to say more, but his phone rang.
He answered at once and shut the door before I could say anything else.
Friday was my last day at work.
The moment I left the building, Corrado grabbed me and pulled me into his car.
At an upscale restaurant, he cut my steak and asked,
“What wine do you want?”
I scrolled through my phone and answered absently,
“You choose.”
My distraction made his expression tighten.
“Who are you texting?”
“No one.”
Even after I answered, he took my phone.
He searched it for nearly a minute, then looked at me with an unreadable expression.
“When did you change your lock screen?”
For years, it had been a photograph of us.
Now it showed my parents’ dog.
I had no interest in explaining, so I got up and went to the restroom.
When I returned, Corrado was gone.
Without warning, every light in the restaurant went out.
A server slowly approached with flowers and a cake.
The flowers and cake rolled past me and stopped beside another table, and then my phone lit up.
It was a birthday greeting from my wireless carrier.
Outside the restaurant, I heard a familiar, sugary voice.
“Wow, Corrado, you’re so strong. Push me higher!”
Tessa sat on a swing near the entrance, shrieking with delight as Corrado pushed her.
Her excitement carried her too high, and moments later she tumbled directly into his embrace.
They stared into each other’s eyes, smiling as they remained wrapped together for several moments before noticing me.
Disappointment flashed across Corrado’s eyes before his face went blank.
“Tavia, this swing is so much fun. Come join us…”
Halfway through the invitation, Tessa blushed and slowly lowered the arms she had wrapped around Corrado’s neck.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. Corrado only caught me because I fell…”
Corrado stroked her dark hair and gazed at her tenderly.
“Don’t be ridiculous. All that matters is that you weren’t hurt.”
Then he stripped the warmth from his face and looked at me.
“You’re finished eating already?”
I ignored him and walked toward the Ferris wheel nearby.
I had heard that any wish made at the top of a Ferris wheel on your birthday would come true.
Tessa watched me with a mocking glint, then tugged Corrado after me.
“A Ferris wheel! Corrado, I want to ride it too.”
The attendant said only two seats remained.
Without even looking at me, Corrado closed his fingers around Tessa’s hand and claimed the final two seats.
Twenty minutes later,
he returned to the ground and searched the entire shopping complex, but I was gone.
At eight that night,
I carried my suitcase from the bedroom.
I left my key on the table with a note beneath it that read [We’re done.]
Then I walked away without looking back.
…
