Page 54 of The Ruin I Chose

“Now is not the right time, Roxanne,” he said, his voice heavy with concern.

I could see he hadn’t slept, and was certain neither did Marcello. Marcello stood inside, facing the window—back turned, shoulders tense. At the sound of my voice, his shoulders twitched enough to betray he’d heard me. He didn’t turn. His fist tightened against the glass, the knuckles whitening.

I spoke loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m leaving. I just came to say goodbye.”

“Your flight isn’t until evening. You can stay…”

I didn’t let him finish. I could feel tears rolling down my face.

“I can’t. It hurts too much.”

Marcello’s shoulders jerked—barely—but enough to reveal pain slicing through the cracks of his composure. Antonio stepped forward, pulling me into a hug.

“Give him time,” he whispered.

“It’s too late for that.”

I pulled away, smiling through tears.

“It was lovely knowing you and your family. Say goodbye to Alessia, and kiss the kids for me.”

I turned to look at Marcello.

“These were the best days of my life. I’ve never felt so alive.”

His hand pressed harder into the glass, the tendons in his wrist standing out like he was holding himself together by force.

He was right there, and somehow already gone. My eyes stayed on him as I walked towards the coffee table—waiting. Hoping he’d turn.

I spoke directly to him.

“Thank you for the necklace. But I can’t accept something that reminds me I cheated. That I’m a liar—the villain in your story.”

I couldn’t carry a piece of him home like a thief. I placed the velvet box on the table, then the letter beneath it.

I waited just a second longer in case he turned. Just in case he said my name. But he didn’t. And that silence was louder than any goodbye.

“I hope we meet again in this lifetime,” I said quietly, looking at Antonio as his eyes softened. Antonio nodded, then signalled Martin.

“Drop her off at the airport.”

As the door shut, I could see Marcello just standing there, staring into nothingness. He didn’t move. But the air around him tightened, like something in him had crumbled in silence.

I walked away quietly, head low and heart heavy. I saw Santino leaning near the car, opening the door for me.

“You take care,” he said with a sad smile.

There was something in his eyes—like he knew I wouldn’t recover from this easily.

“Thank you,” I replied as I squeezed his hand, my palm trembling against his.

I looked up at the window where Marcello stood. I couldn’t see him, but I knew he was watching from behind the curtain, tucked between stone and silence. I knew he saw me. I raised my fingers to my lips and blew out a kiss—my silent goodbye.

As the car pulled away, the image of the resort faded from view. I broke down completely as Martin watched me quietly from the rearview mirror. It felt as though I was leaving my own heartbeat behind on that cliff.

CHAPTER 22