At dawn, I closed my suitcase and walked out for the final time. As the door shut behind me, something unexpected surged through my chest—relief. Not enough to erase the hurt, but strong enough to remind me I’d survived.
At the airport, while waiting to board, my phone buzzed repeatedly. Birthday notifications. I’d forgotten the date entirely. In past years, Rocco had always been first—lavish surprises, grand gestures meant to remind me I was treasured.
This year, his silence said everything.
The rest of the messages were sincere—friends wishing me luck, strength, prosperity in my upcoming alliance. I replied to each, carefully, then turned my phone face down.
As the plane lifted off, sunrise spilling gold across the horizon, I closed my eyes and made myself a promise.
I would be happy again.
And this time, my happiness wouldn’t be tied to any man. Not Rocco. Not Antonella. Not anyone who thought they had the right to define my worth.
This time, I would build my life with my own hands—by my own rules.
