These past two months had been exhilarating. My father had released me from our binding agreement, finally understanding my heart belonged to both racing and Tia, not Olympus Motors. Meanwhile, Yiayia had banished me from the estate the moment Tia agreed to move to Greece, insisting we maintain proper distance until the wedding.
Hence our rushed winter nuptials. Though neither of us minded.
Between race preparations and stolen moments together, we’d watched Tia’s vision for Thalassía take physical form. She’d flourished overseeing the reconstruction and commanding respect from workers who’d initially doubted her.
Today, I would marry her with a clean slate.
“Getting cold feet, nephew?” Dimitrios asked, adjusting his bow tie in the mirror.
I snorted. “Absolutely not. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
My father approached, looking distinguished in his tuxedo. As my best man, he’d been unusually attentive all morning, almost nervous in a way I’d never seen before.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Like a man who nearly lost everything and somehow got a second chance.”
Konstantin entered the room, his expression grim as it had been for months. The tension between him and Matthaios was palpable as my cousin lounged on the chaise near the fireplace, thumbing through his phone.
“Any news about Simone?” I asked Matthaios.
Simone was Kayla’s older sister, whom Matthaios had been seeing for quite some time. Like me, he had been seeking revenge andattained his goals, but lost his woman in the process. Unlike me, it seemed there would be no second chances.
My cousin’s jaw tightened. “Nothing. It’s like she disappeared into thin air.”
“Perhaps if you hadn’t destroyed her life, she might still be speaking to you,” Konstantin remarked coldly, pouring himself a drink without offering one to anyone else.
Matthaios fixed his eyes on Konstantin. “You should focus on your own non-marriage.”
“Enough,” my father interrupted, his commanding tone silencing the room. “This is my son’s wedding day. Save your squabbling for tomorrow.”
“Well, never let it be said that a Christakis wedding lacks drama,” Dimitrios announced, helping himself to another whiskey. “Santo, you never mentioned Deanna’s pregnancy.”
My father’s head snapped up. “She’s pregnant?”
I shrugged, adjusting my cufflinks. “It’s not my business and I get the feeling Tia’s embarrassed about her parents having another child at her ‘big age’.”
A knock interrupted us, followed by the wedding coordinator’s anxious face. “Five minutes, gentlemen. Everyone is seated.”
The mood shifted instantly. We straightened ties and adjusted jackets, the previous argument momentarily forgotten in the rush of impending ceremony.
“Are you ready?” my father asked quietly, coming to stand beside me.
I met his gaze in the mirror. “I’ve been ready since the day I proposed.”
We filed down the stone staircase, my father leading as my best man, followed by my uncles and cousin. The castle’s Great Hall had been transformed into a winter wonderland, with crystal chandeliers, snow-white flowers and silver accents. Three hundred guests filled the rows.
I took my position at the altar, standing tall as Bach’s “Air on the G String” began. The doors at the end of the hall swung open, revealing the bridal party.
First came Tia’s cousins in midnight blue gowns that complemented the winter theme perfectly. Kayla followed as matron of honor, her baby bump visible beneath her gown. She didn’t glance at Konstantin as she took her place, though he couldn’t tear his eyes from her.
I spotted Tia’s father in the front row. Tia had invited him to the wedding to appease her grandmother, but she’d chosen Deanna to walk her down the aisle.
The music swelled, shifting to the wedding march. Everyone rose. And there she was.
Tia appeared in the doorway on her mother’s arm, a vision in ivory lace and silk. Her dark eyes found mine instantly. But it was her smile that undid me. I blinked rapidly, surprised to find my eyes damp.
Her dress hugged her curves, the train trailing behind her like fresh snowfall. Against her rich brown skin, the ivory fabric seemed to glow. She’d chosen to wear her hair up with delicate crystal pins.
