He Played Dead, I Played the Headlines Chapter 02
“Please, don’t let her stay love-blind. What’s so great about that douchebag?”
“I want to see her tear that bastard apart!”
I saw the last comment. But instead of moving forward, I turned and walked away, limping down the mountain.
Over the next few days, I fell seriously ill with a persistent high fever. When I finally felt well enough to stand in front of a mirror, I could hardly believe that the pale face and lifeless eyes I saw belonged to me.
More comments in the live chat flashed before my eyes.
“Annie is not seriously just going to let this go, is she? She truly is blinded by love. Even after discovering the truth, she’s still devoted to Matteo.”
“I bet she’s thinking he’ll marry her anyway, so she’s just going to endure it.”
“You’re all so sure. What if she actually has a plan?”
“As if.”
I ignored their debate and stepped out of the room. When Tony saw me, he hurried over to comfort me. “Ms. Morello, don’t be too upset. If Don Cassimo saw you like this, he’d be hurt.”
The words almost made me laugh. But when I looked up at him, I faked a sorrowful expression. “Do you think the news was wrong? That Matteo isn’t actually dead? Maybe he’s hiding out at some villa in the mountains right now.”
Tony froze for a split second, his eyes blinking rapidly. But he quickly composed himself. “Ms. Morello, you’re overthinking it. You saw Don Cassimo’s body yourself. How could the news be wrong?”
Half a month ago, Matteo was ambushed on his way home and shot multiple times. He stayed in the hospital for a few days. Each time the doctors came out after examining him, all they could do was sigh. Until finally, the news spread that he hadn’t made it.
When I had heard it, I had fainted on the spot.
That day was supposed to be our wedding day. I had waited for this day for years. Matteo knew that better than anyone.
Yet now, he would rather disappear for the sake of his mistress than show up and face me.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought. I seemed to be nothing more than a joke the whole time.
“I thought the male lead in this story was supposed to be devoted. Turns out he’s just another animal who lets his desires have their own way.”
“Exactly. I came for a pure love story about childhood sweethearts. I didn’t expect Matteo to switch up halfway through.”
“I don’t get it. Annie is pure and from a great family. Why would Matteo choose some escort over her?”
As I watched the live chat, a faint sense of comfort rose in my chest.
Tony continued, “Ms. Morello, you need to take care of your health. If you keep grieving like this, you’ll hurt yourself. Don Cassimo would be heartbroken to see you like this.”
I sneered coldly. The word “heartbroken” had never sounded so ironic.
As for the man in front of me, I had once thought he had helped me greatly in handling Matteo’s affairs. But now I understood that he had only ever been carrying out Matteo’s orders.
