Chapter 4

By the time Matteo came out of the bedroom,it was already broad daylight.

Seeing me still sitting blankly on the sofa,he asked impatiently,"Where’s breakfast?"

I didn't response.

He furrowed his brow and sighed.“Esmee,my patience really is limited.”

I looked up numbly.Even though it was the exact same face as before,it felt strangely unfamiliar to me.

"Could you play a piano piece for me?"I asked in a voice barely above a whisper."Just for me."

"You wouldn’t understand even if I played it.Just search for it on any music app."He refused my simple request without the slightest hesitation.

My pupils trembled.He had forgotten that I was the one who first taught him to play the piano.

Then,he seemed to remember something and said,“I'm not coming home tonight.You don’t have to wait for me.”

I glanced at the pink supercar parked at the entrance,then stood up and blocked his way.

"Matteo,today is our seventh anniversary."I hurriedly grabbed his arm to stop him from leaving.

As he struggled to brush my hand away,something fell—a pack of pink ultra-thin 001s.

I froze.

Matteo’s face darkened instantly.He shoved me hard and picked up that shameful thing.

A dull pain spread up my legs,and as I looked up,I saw his back further and further away.

It took a long while before I could force myself to stand up.

I walked into the bedroom and took a book of sheet music out of the nightstand.

This,he gave this book to me on this day last year.

He drew the cover himself,three musical notes leaping off the page.

His gentle words echoed in my ears once more.“So,La,Do—put them together,and it spells out 521.”

“Esmee,I love you.”

The very first page I flipped to was‘The Light You Keep On’,the piece I used to hum to him whenever he suffered a panic attack,the piece of our love.

My fingers grasped the page tightly,and with a sudden jerk,I tore it to shreds.

Flipping to another page,I found memories recounted from Matteo’s perspective.

He wrote,[Penelope was an unpleasant name to hear,and Esmee suits you better.It means‘to cherish and treasure you,never forgetting you.’]

Rip.

[I’ve qualified for the competition.Once I make a name for myself,I’ll treat you right.]

Rip.

[The moment my panic attacks struck,I was so glad you're always by my side,humming and comforting me.Esmee,I’m so glad I have you.]

Rip.

Page after page,I tore every single one into pieces.

Just then,Matteo's phone rang.

‘My Baby’appeared on the caller ID and I swiped the answer button.

"Esmee.”

Soon,Matteo’s voice came through."I forgot my phone,could you please bring it to the hotel for me?"

On the other end,I could still hear Louisa's halting and coquettish voice."Matteo,isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

"It’s fine.She has no better options than me."He declared confidently.

A wave of sourness instantly rose in my stomach,and I couldn't stop myself from dry-heaving.

Disgusting.

It was truly disgusting.

I hung up the phone immediately,and without a second thought,I grabbed my luggage and headed for the airport.