“Yes.”
“Who booked it?”
“Nico handled most of it.”
“Who else has confirmed?”
“Why are you interrogating me?”
That answered enough.
I sat on the edge of the bed.
“Lara.”
She stopped.
“We ended the engagement.”
“You ended it.”
“Yes.”
“But we’re still living together and you keep saying maybe this is repairable.”
“I said I need time.”
“Okay.”
“If there is any possibility of repairing this, you cannot expect me to watch you go on vacation with the person you lied about.”
She crossed her arms.
“So now you’re giving ultimatums.”
“I’m giving information.”
“What’s the difference?”
“I’m not stopping you.”
“If you go, I will understand that you have chosen whatever this is with Nico over rebuilding anything with me.”
Lara laughed.
“You already canceled the wedding.”
“Yes.”
“Then what exactly are you threatening me with?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s the point.”
“I’m telling you what I will do.”
“What?”
“Finish separating our lives.”
She shook her head.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“No.”
“I’m finally being clear.”
“You want me to prove I love you by canceling a trip.”
“I want nothing from you.”
“I want your choices to tell me what they mean.”
She looked away.
Then said:
“You’re insecure and controlling.”
I nodded.
“If that’s what you believe, then going should be easy.”
She left Friday morning.
She kissed my cheek at the door.
I did not return it.
“Don’t be like this.”
“Have a safe flight.”
“Matteo.”
“What?”
“It’s just a trip between friends.”
I looked at her suitcase.
“Okay.”
She left.
Three hours later, I reopened the wedding spreadsheet.
The wedding itself was already canceled.
Now I dealt with the remaining shared life.
I contacted the landlord and asked what was required if one occupant left.
I separated subscriptions.
Removed Lara as authorized user on my personal credit card.
Changed passwords to my own accounts.
Left joint funds untouched pending agreement between us.
Created a spreadsheet of jointly purchased household items.
I did not dump her belongings outside.
Did not change locks.
Did not touch her personal money.
I sent one email.
Lara,
You chose to take the Mallorca trip after our conversation. I’m taking that as confirmation that we are not attempting reconciliation.
When you return, we need to agree on a move-out date, divide jointly purchased household items, and close the remaining shared expenses.
I will not access or move your personal property without your agreement.
Matteo
She responded six hours later.
You are completely insane. I am not having this conversation while I’m on holiday. We will talk when you calm down.
I did not answer.
Saturday, she posted a photo.
Ocean.
Cocktail.
Nico’s shoulder visible at the edge.
Then deleted it twenty minutes later.
Bea texted me that evening.
Are you okay?
I replied:
Yes.
She wrote:
For what it’s worth, I’m not in Mallorca.
That was all.
No group trip.
Maybe other people were there.
I no longer cared.
Monday, the venue refunded €5,740.
Catering refunded €2,200.
Rentals refunded almost everything.
Some deposits were gone.
Total loss landed just under €4,000.
Painful.
Far cheaper than marrying the wrong person.
Lara returned Tuesday afternoon.
I was home.
She entered dragging her suitcase.