Antonio didn't think he'd done anything wrong. Not truly.
He stood frozen where Athena had left him—in the middle of the smaller living room, the engagement ring gleaming faintly on the table under the soft amber light. The faint hum of the refrigerator nearby was the only sound left in the house.
He stared at that ring, at the empty space she'd left behind, and all he could think was how ungrateful she was.
He'd done everything for her.
He'd given her a home, stability, affection, attention—things she'd been starved of for years. He'd loved her openly when the rest of the world whispered behind her back. He'd fought for her name to be cleared when her ex-husband had dragged her reputation through the mud. And now, now she was leaving because of what?
Because of love?
She had thrown the ring away without a second thought. Just like that. Like it meant nothing.
