How could I have been so pathetic?

So stupid?

After a long cry, I wiped my tears away.

Crying wouldn't solve anything.

I needed to be strong and fight for what I deserved.

That evening, Sloane came to see me.

She brought my favorite pizza and ice cream.

“Juliana, eat something. Don’t ruin your health over this.”

“Sloane, tell me, am I a complete fool?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. How are you a fool?”

“Three years, and I had no idea. Isabella was even sleeping over at my house, and I still stupidly thought she was just Dante’s assistant.”

Sloane took my hand. “Juliana, it’s not your fault. They were just too good at acting.”

“But I’m his wife. I should have known him better than anyone.”

“That’s exactly why you were so easily deceived,” Sloane sighed. “Juliana, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Actually… I’ve had a bad feeling about Dante for a while now.”

I froze. “What do you mean?”

“A while back, I saw him at the mall shopping with Isabella. They were very close, not like a boss and his subordinate.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was afraid I was mistaken, and I was afraid of hurting you,” Sloane said guiltily. “Juliana, I’m so sorry. I should have warned you sooner.”

I shook my head. “It’s not your fault. I was the one who trusted him too much.”

The next morning at ten, I arrived at the Moretti estate.

Dante’s car was gone, as expected. He really had gone to his meeting.

When Maria opened the door, her eyes were red and swollen. It was clear she had been crying.

“Ma’am, you’re here.”

“Maria, thank you for your help.”

“Ma’am, let me help you pack.”

I shook my head. “No, thank you. I can do it myself. You can go about your work.”

Walking into the home that once felt so warm, I was filled with a mix of emotions.

Three years ago, I had married into this family full of hope.

I thought I would spend the rest of my life here.

Now, I was here to pack my things and leave.

Everything had changed.

I went to the master bedroom first to pack my clothes and makeup.

Opening the closet, I saw all the designer clothes Dante had bought for me.

Each piece had been carefully selected by him, he’d said they were the perfect colors and styles for me.

Now, it all felt like a lie.

While he was buying clothes for me, he was also buying them for Isabella.

And probably more expensive ones for her.

I only took a few essential items. I left the rest.

I would never wear them again anyway.

While packing my makeup, I found a box of birth control pills in the drawer.

They weren't mine.

I never took birth control pills because Dante said he wanted an heir for the Moretti family.

We had been trying for a baby for three years, but with no luck.

So, it turned out someone had been secretly taking birth control.

Isabella.

She didn't want to get pregnant, so she took pills secretly and hid them in my drawer.

If Dante had found them, he would have thought I was the one secretly preventing a pregnancy.

That woman was so manipulative.

I took a picture of the pills. More evidence.

Then I continued packing.

In the nightstand, I found something even more disgusting.

A box of condoms.

The package was open, and several were missing.

Dante and I never used condoms because we wanted to have a child.

So who were these for?

The answer was obvious.

Fighting back nausea, I took a picture.

Then I quickly packed the rest of my things.

In the study, I found my design sketches and work files.

These were my most valuable possessions. I couldn’t leave them behind.

As I was packing, I heard a car pull up downstairs.

Dante was back.

I heard Maria downstairs. “Master, I thought you had a meeting?”

“The meeting was canceled,” Dante’s voice replied. “Juliana’s car is outside. Is she back?”

My heart tightened. I rushed to finish packing.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs, getting closer and closer.

The door swung open, and Dante appeared in the doorway.

When he saw me packing, his face instantly darkened.

“Juliana, what are you doing?”

“Packing my things,” I said, not even looking up.

“This is your home. Why are you packing?”

“This is not my home,” I said coldly. “My home doesn't have another woman's birth control pills and condoms in it.”

Dante saw the box of pills on the table, and his face grew even paler.

“Juliana, let me explain…”

“No need to explain.” I finished packing the last of my files and stood up. “Dante, I’m tired of your explanations.”

“Juliana, I can explain everything. Just give me a chance.”

“A chance?” I sneered. “Dante, I already gave you a chance. The night I found you two, why didn't you explain then? Why didn't you admit you were wrong? Why didn't you break things off with Isabella immediately?”

Dante was speechless.

“Now that you see the evidence, you suddenly want to explain?” I picked up my bag. “It’s too late.”

“Juliana, you can’t do this to me.” Dante blocked my way. “We’ve been married for three years. Don't we have any feelings left?”

“Feelings?” I looked at him. “Dante, what you have with Isabella is feelings. What you have with me is just habit and possession.”

“That’s not true. I love you.”

“Love me?” I pointed to the bed. “You love me, so you let another woman sleep in our bed? You love me, so you let her stay overnight in our house? You love me, so you use my money to support her?”

Dante had nothing to say.

“Dante, your love is cheap,” I said, pushing past him. “And I can't afford it.”

At the door, I stopped.

“By the way, my lawyer will be serving you with divorce papers tomorrow. Be ready.”

From behind me, I heard Dante’s furious voice. “Juliana Rossi, do you really think you can find a better man after leaving me? Who would dare to touch a woman from the Moretti family?”

Without turning back, I said, “Anyone would be better than a cheating husband.”

Walking out of the estate, I took a deep breath.

Finally, I was free.

My heart still ached, but I knew this was the right choice.

A disloyal man wasn't worth wasting my youth on.

Back at my studio, I sent the pictures I took today to Ms. Hayes.

“Ms. Hayes, is this enough evidence?”

She replied quickly. “More than enough. This evidence is sufficient to prove infidelity. We have a very high chance of winning this case.”

“So when can we go to court?”

“A month at the earliest.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for your update.”

After dealing with that, I started thinking about my future.

After the divorce, I would have to start over.

I didn't want a single penny of the Moretti family's money.

I had my own skills and abilities. I could support myself.

Most importantly, I had to leave this city.

There were too many memories of Dante here.

I needed to go to a new place and start a new life.