Chapter 11
While waiting for news, Matteo sat in the living room, the ashtray in front of him piled with half–smoked cigarette butts.[]
A phone ringtone sounded, and “Joannie” appeared prominently on the screen.[]
“Hello?” His voice was cold as ice.[]
A soft, coquettish voice came through the receiver: “Matteo, my wound is hurting again… I miss you so much.“[]
“If your wound hurts, find a doctor yourself. Don’t contact me anymore. My patience has limits too.“[]
Matteo hung up directly after speaking, the metal phone leaving a cold impression in his palm.[]
Only then did he suddenly wake up as if from a dream, trembling as he pulled up Yunia’s number, wanting to contact her directly.
The moment the call went through, a mechanical voice repeated “The number you have dialed is switched off.“[]
He called seven or eight times in succession, but the screen consistently showed the glaring red disconnection symbol.[]
Unwilling to give up, he continued sending messages, but the message box displayed a series of red exclamation marks. Matteo’s hand gripping the phone showed bulging veins.
He scrolled up through their chat history and discovered that for quite some time, he hadn’t replied to any of the messages Yunia had sent him.
Matteo staggered and steadied himself against the desk, belated panic washing over his heart like a tide.
She seemed to… really be pushing him away completely.
“Could it be that she already knows about my plan? Is that why she left so quietly without a word?“]
This speculation made him feel guilty, but he quickly dismissed it.[]
“Impossible…”
Matteo murmured to himself, cold sweat beading on his forehead.[]
His plan was theoretically foolproof–how could Yunia possibly discover that his split personality was all an act?
Unless…
He suddenly pressed his throbbing temples, dismissing this absurd thought.[]
Urgent footsteps echoed from the corridor as his assistant rushed in with a phone: “CEO Jackson! We found Ms. Yunia’s phone at the bottom of the hospital fountain! Technical staff are working on emergency repairs!“]
Matteo’s throat tightened.[]
He looked at the phone in his assistant’s hands–the screen was already cracked.[]
“Good, keep searching! Also, check all the highway surveillance cameras leaving the city.”
Chapter 11
His voice was hoarse: “Pull up all of Yunia’s transportation records. I want to know her itinerary.“]]
Matteo gazed at the thick darkness outside the window, tasting helplessness for the first time.
Throughout his life, he had never failed to get what he wanted. Whatever he desired, he could achieve immediately.]
But apparently, this didn’t include Yunia.
Her departure made Matteo feel helpless and anxious for the first time.
He also felt some regret–he shouldn’t have deceived her with the personality disorder story.
Perhaps then, she… wouldn’t have left.
