Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate

Chapter 226

Elodie’s POV

On the way to Wilson Tech, Nonna called me.

I answered immediately. "Nonna."

"Ah, my dear girl." Her voice was warm, and so full of affection. It always was.

"A few days ago, Liora mentioned that you’ve been extremely busy with work, sometimes even staying up all night. Someone just sent me some tonics, so I had some delivered to you. Make sure to have them stewed and eat them, alright?"

I knew that even if I tried to decline, Nonna wouldn’t take no for an answer.

So I just said, "I will. Thank you, Nonna."

She chuckled softly, then seemed to remember something.

"By the way, I spoke with Dante a while ago. He agreed to try and get along with you better. After all, no matter what happens between you two, you’re both Liora’s parents. If your relationship is too strained, it won’t be good for her growth and well-being."

So that’s why Dante had acted so differently at the forum. Hah!

Why wasn’t I surprised?

I responded flatly. "Alright. I understand, Nonna.”

We chatted for a few more minutes before I ended the call.

---

When I arrived at Wilson Tech, Sienna was nowhere to be seen.

General Manager Kim spotted me and greeted me with a smile. "Miss Miller, did you receive any flowers today? It is Valentine’s Day, after all."

Before I could answer, one of the Cole employees who’d come with me chimed in excitedly.

"Of course! A huge bouquet of roses, everyone was so envious!"

Kim laughed, but before he could say anything else, Sophia appeared out of nowhere.

"Just flowers? Nothing else?" she asked, her tone dripping with fake curiosity.

The Cole employee hesitated. "Uh..."

Sophia smirked. "So it really *is* just flowers?"

She let out a mocking laugh. "You all are hilarious. It’s just a bouquet of roses. What’s there to be envious about? My cousin received a pile of gifts this morning. And my future brother-in-law even gave her Wilson Tech shares. Guess what she said?"

Kim went quiet.

There was no arguing with that.

But was this really something worth comparing?

Noticing that I might not be aware of the situation, Kim leaned in slightly and explained quietly.

"It’s well known that Director Brown is quite popular in elite circles. She’s considered the dream girl of many wealthy heirs. While no one dares to openly pursue her because of President Wilson, today is Valentine’s Day, and some of them couldn’t resist. They anonymously sent her flowers and gifts that her entire office is filled with them."

I didn’t react. I just kept my expression neutral.

Kim continued, clearly impressed. "But of course, President Bellini is no ordinary man. That’s why he was able to win her heart. From what I’ve heard, he directly transferred some of the company’s shares to Director Brown as a Valentine’s Day gift."

He shook his head in admiration. "He spoils his girlfriend like no one else. Everyone in the company was beyond envious when they heard the news this morning."

I’d always suspected that one day, Wilson Tech might bear the surname Brown instead of Wilson.

After all, Sienna had free access to company secrets. Landon and Sophia could come and go as they pleased.

Now, hearing Kim’s words, I wasn’t surprised at all. I mentally rolled my eyes.

Dante had deliberately chosen Valentine’s Day to transfer the shares. It wasn’t just a gift, it was a statement. A gesture meant to be meaningful. Ceremonial even.

His affection for Sienna was unmistakable.

"What are you all talking about?"

A familiar voice interrupted.

I looked up and saw it was Sienna.

Kim quickly turned to Sienna with a bright smile. "Director Brown, is your meeting over?"

Sienna nodded. "Yes."

Wilson’s Tech’s senior executives had held an important meeting today. Now that she owned company shares, she’d attended alongside Dante and the others.

Of course she had.

Sophia practically bounced over to her cousin, a smirk plastered across her face.

She shot me a quick glance, then leaned in closer to Sienna and said in a voice just loud enough for me to hear,

"Cousin, someone was feeling quite pleased about receiving flowers, until she heard that tons of people sent you flowers and that my brother-in-law gave you company shares. Then she couldn’t say a single word."

Sienna’s eyes flicked to me briefly, but she said nothing.

Sophia, however, wasn’t done.

"Sis, didn’t you say before that Mr. Gray treated her really well? But today’s Valentine’s Day, and he only gave her a bouquet of flowers, nothing else. Doesn’t seem like he cares about her that much after all."

Sienna raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

I could practically see the gears turning in her head.

Johnny only gave me flowers?

How... perfunctory.

She’d always thought Johnny treated me well. After all, I had significant influence within Cole.

But now, seeing the comparison, she was probably thinking, if Johnny truly cared, why had he given me power but not a title? Let alone shares?

At that moment, General Manager Zane walked over. When he saw Sienna, he smiled warmly.

"Now that you have shares, do you plan to take a more hands-on approach in managing Wilson Tech?"

Sienna shook her head gracefully. "No. I’d rather leave professional matters to professionals. I don’t like seizing control."

As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward me.

The implication was clear.

‘Unlike some people.’

Unlike me, who had no real capabilities but insisted on managing everything at Cole just to prove my authority, even though I had neither an official position nor any ownership.

It was ridiculous, really, when she thought about it.

I didn’t react. I didn’t even look up.

I just kept my focus on the materials in front of me, completely unfazed.

Let her think whatever she wanted.

I had more important things to do.

---

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I glanced down at the screen.

A message from Professor Nolan.

[Pick me up tomorrow night.]

Last week, he’d mentioned that someone wanted to meet me. Tomorrow’s meeting was likely about that.

I typed back quickly.

[Alright, Professor.]

After sending the message, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and resumed my work.

I didn’t have time for petty comparisons or passive-aggressive comments.

I had research to finish. A career to build. A future to secure.

And honestly?

That mattered more than anything else.

———————-

I was packing up my materials when my phone buzzed again.

It was a message from Dante’s lawyer.

I frowned and opened it immediately.

[MR. BELLINI HAS WITHDRAWN THE DIVORCE PETITION. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. HE WILL CONTACT YOU PERSONALLY TO DISCUSS RECONCILIATION.]

For a moment, I simply stared at the screen.

Then, unexpectedly, I laughed.

A quiet, tired laugh.

Months ago, this message would have shattered me. Back then, I would have waited desperately for Dante to choose me. To fight for me. To look at me the way he once looked at Sienna.

But now?

Now, all I felt was... calm.

My fingers tightened slightly around my phone before I typed a simple reply to the lawyer.

[I will proceed with the divorce as planned.]

After sending it, I leaned back in my chair and let out a slow breath.

Outside the window, the city lights flickered softly against the night sky.

For so many years, my world had revolved around Dante Bellini. His affection. His approval. His indifference.

I had spent too long trying to prove my worth to someone who had never truly seen me.

But somewhere along the way, without even realizing it, I had changed.

I no longer needed to win against Sienna.

I no longer needed to compare gifts, titles, or shares.

Because the future I wanted was no longer tied to Dante at all.

My phone rang.

Johnny.

A small smile appeared on my lips before I answered.

“Finished with work?” he asked gently.

“Almost.”

“You ate dinner yet?”

I glanced at the untouched tonic soup Nonna had sent over earlier and laughed softly. “Not yet.”

“Stay there,” Johnny said. “I’m coming to pick you up.”

Simple words.

But somehow, they warmed me more than grand gestures ever could.

After the call ended, I gathered my documents and switched off the office lights.

As I walked out of Wilson Tech, the cold night wind brushed against my face.

And for the first time in a very long while, I realized I was no longer walking toward the past.

I was finally walking toward my future.