Chapter 24
Primo’s heart skipped a beat..
Suddenly, a flood of forgotten moments and details surged into his mind.
He remembered now that Asteria never liked strawberry cake. It had always been his favorite, and she had, with quiet patience, learned to enjoy it too.
In reality, she had sacrificed her own preferences time and time again just to please him.
The realization hit him like a heavyweight, and without a second thought, he drained the coffee in front of him in one swift motion, standing up as if he could escape the suffocating truth.
The black coffee, bitter and strong, had no taste at all.
It was as if his heart had been filled with an
endless ache, and each sip reminded him
50% 11:10
1/6
Chapter 24
of the emptiness that had settled inside
him.
As he drove back to his place, memories he’d long ignored began rising.
What had Asteria truly liked? What had she disliked? What were the things that mattered most to her?
Primo spent the entire night wrestling with his thoughts, and by the time the first light of dawn touched the sky, he had finally drifted into a troubled sleep.
In his dreams, he saw Asteria at eighteen, her big, clear eyes blinking at him with innocent wonder, her cheeks flushed with
youth.
“My greatest wish is, of course, to marry you!” she had said, her voice bright with hope.
He jerked awake, his heart pounding.
Tears had soaked the pillow beneath him, a silent reminder of the pain that had
50% 11:10
2/6
Chapter 24
plagued him all night.
Primo buried his face in his hands, his chest heavy with grief, and sobbed softly.
He remembered everything: the way Asteria had once looked at him, the dreams
she had shared.
He sprang from the bed without hesitation, determination burning in his chest. He booked the earliest flight back to the
country.
When Amanda heard that Primo was coming back, she wasted no time. She immediately insisted he come to the Chromos family home..
Since Asteria had fled the wedding, the Chromos family had become the subject of ridicule among their social circle.
At such a crucial moment, Primo failed not only to step up and take charge but also to go abroad, chasing after Asteria.
Amanda couldn’t understand what was so
50% 11:10
3/6
Chapter 24
special about Asteria. Countless women would gladly take the position of Mrs. Chromos, but Primo couldn’t seem to forget this one.
When Primo arrived, Amanda had made up her mind; she would promptly introduce him to someone else. This time, she was determined to find a poised and elegant daughter-in–law.
But Primo didn’t go to the Chromos family home or the company.
The first place he went upon returning was straight to Goldenridge Villa.
When Primo opened the door and saw the spotless, orderly living room, a wave of fury surged.
“Who told you to clean this place?” He demanded, his voice thick with anger.
Assistant Sorell flinched, answering
nervously, “It was your mother’s idea. She said the house looked unkempt and didn‘ t reflect well.”
0 11:10
4/6
Chapter 24
Primo clenched his fists, his gaze scanning the room frantically, searching for any trace of Asteria.
Thankfully, Assistant Sorell understood the significance of the situation and didn’t discard anything tied to Asteria.
Everything had been carefully sorted and tucked away by the housekeeper.
Primo pulled each item out one by one, his fingers trembling as he sifted through them.
It didn’t take long for him to understand. why Asteria had held onto these things so tightly.
They weren’t just her memories–they were theirs.
They were fragments of their shared past.
But Asteria had left them all behind, leaving nothing but sorrow and regret for him to carry alone.
His eyes lingered on the wedding ring, its
5/6
Chapter 24
one missing side a sharp reminder of all he had lost. Slowly, tears began to fall, his
chest tightening with the weight of his
remorse.
“I was wrong… so wrong… No wonder she could never forgive me,” he whispered to himself, the words heavy with self- loathing.
He took a staggering step back, knocking over the trash can in his path.
A crumpled piece of paper tumbled out, caught among the discarded bits of trash.
Primo’s hand hesitated before reaching down to pick it up.
Assistant Sorell moved instinctively, stepping forward to stop him. He knew Primo’s obsessive need for cleanliness and how even the slightest speck of dust would unsettle him.
