Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 402

Once she sorted out her thoughts, Mila found herself less resistant to the idea of the wedding. The endless sleepless nights finally faded, replaced by a strange

calm.

Still, she knew one thing for certain:

If she wanted to use this wedding as her escape, she needed to make sure of one detail the ceremony couldn't be held in the old manor. It had to be somewhere else, preferably outside.

The next morning, after breakfast, Mila reached out and gently caught hold of Cossio's sleeve just as he was about to leave—a silent plea for him to stay. Lately, maybe because of all the wedding preparations, Cossio had taken to disappearing right after breakfast and returning late at night. Mila didn't mind, but today was different. She needed something from him.

He turned, wrapping his hand softly around hers, his tone teasing and affectionate. "Darling, are you going to miss me if I go?"

She said nothing, just tugged gently at his sleeve.

He sighed in mock exasperation, his voice full of indulgence. "You're still as shy as ever, aren't you? Never willing to say you want me to stay. But that's all right-I love you too much to mind."

So, he stayed.

Mila immediately let go of his hand. Ever since she'd seen those disturbing paintings in the art studio, she found it impossible to look at Cossio the same way. He appeared so polite and restrained, but she knew now just how twisted his mind really was. Even the slightest touch left her uneasy.

Cossio, oblivious, assumed she was simply being bashful and chuckled to himself.

***

Daytime, the garden.

time, though, Cossio wasn't the

veil, brush poised in her hand. Today, her colors were nothing like her usual somber palette. Instead, she painted with vivid, lively strokes, quickly capturing a

deft lines, she added a bride in a white gown, bouquet in hand, arm-in- arm with a groom in a sharp suit, walking

Mila froze, her gaze fixed on the painted couple. She stared at

It hit her:

own. She'd never walked down the aisle in a white dress. All she'd ever had was a

the green lawn, circling the bride and groom on the red carpet.

of corruption-crept along the white church. Holiness and darkness, perfectly

wedding scene tainted by misfortune and bad omens. She lowered her veil and looked over her shoulder at the silent man standing behind her, her eyes

What do

up the brush and began painting over the black crows, transforming each one into a white dove- symbols of peace

the doves circling the painted church, her lips curling in a silent,

as ruthless and shameless as Cossio still harbored

could there really

was already done. Forgiveness was

end, and they

his hand, dipped it in scarlet paint, and slashed at the painted bride and groom-driven by a fierce, inexplicable need to sever

her. Only a few drops of red fell onto the bride's

falling to the ground as he pulled her into his arms. She could feel his heart pounding against her back, hear the roughness

quietly. "Let's let the

She was silent.