The One He Left Became The One He Couldn’t Have Chapter 12
Mia’s call came when the car was almost at the Ricci estate.
“Mia, what’s wrong?”
“Gianna, I did what you said. Asked Adrian for the brooch.”
“He wouldn’t give it to me. Said if you really want it, you have to ask him yourself.”
I glanced instinctively at Matteo beside me.
A strange flush of guilt hit me.
We were still near strangers.
Even if he seemed polished and polite, gentle and refined.
His presence was still overwhelming.
Earlier in the car he’d taken a work call.
Switching smoothly between English and Italian.
Giving orders clean and sharp.
That natural authority radiating off him.
Made me feel young and unsteady.
I wasn’t a quiet person by nature.
But around Matteo, somehow I became this demure version of myself.
I didn’t even get a word out to Mia.
The voice on the line had already shifted to Adrian’s.
“Gianna. Are you after the brooch, or just looking to cause trouble?”
I froze. Then laughed, incredulous.
“If you’re trying to ruin my engagement to Summer, save your effort.”
“If you want the brooch, then come get it the same way you gave it.”
“Something that valuable shouldn’t pass through someone else’s hands.”
I drew a slow breath, forcing my voice steady.
“Mia is my best friend. You can give it to her.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for whatever happens.”
Adrian laughed. “Gianna, how much clearer do I need to be?”
“The way you gave it to me. That’s how you get it back.”
The call cut off.
Fury and humiliation burned through me until my face was scarlet.
The way I gave him the brooch?
It was my eighteenth birthday night.
Adrian and I were both drunk.
The Valentino family’s old house. Third floor. My bedroom.
He had me pinned against the door, kissing me deep.
By the end, I could barely stand.
And he was clearly worked up.
But he pulled back. Stopped himself.
As he was leaving, I called him back.
Pressed the brooch into his palm.
I told him what it meant.
He didn’t say a word. But he took it.
That was why I believed he’d accepted my feelings. Accepted me.
These past few years have been a nightmare of a dream.
Now I’m awake. I just want a clean break from everything in the past.
I thought Adrian would be thrilled to be rid of it.
Toss the brooch back to me like trash.
I never imagined he’d say this.
And it’s only now, too late, that I understand.
The foolish things you do when you’re young always come with a price someday.
If the brooch didn’t carry that meaning.
I wouldn’t be trying to get it back at all.
But I’m getting married now.
Leaving it with Adrian isn’t fair to Matteo.