Izzy
Thisisnothinglikemy first wedding.
No ugly, puffy dress. Just a simple white silk gown that hugs my waist before flaring gently at the ankles. The cowl neck dips low enough to hint at cleavage—sexy, but still modest. The infinity necklace Enzo bought me for Christmas sits perfectly above it.
There are no hundreds of strangers watching. No meaningless small talk or forced smiles. Just Massimo, Giuliana, Noemi, Dante, Carina, and Nate—Tess and Kai on FaceTime, since she’sready to pop.
It’s simple.
Perfect.
Us.
I know it means everything to Enzo that both his parents are here. They haven’t been in the same room since Massimo stole him away during our teens. It was tense at first, a little awkward, but they’re both managing to stay civil.
I look into the eyes of the only man I’ve ever loved and wonder how I got this lucky. So much has happened. So much pain. And still… I’d go through all of it again—every wound, every heartbreak—just to be here.
To feel this.
To feelhislove.
“The bride and groom have prepared their own vows” the vicar states, nodding to me first.
My hands shake at my sides, my heart hammering in my ears.
I take a deep breath.
“Enzo.”
My voice trembles, and he picks up my hands, smiling that soft, encouraging smile that’s always undone me.
“I remember the day I fell in love with you. I was eleven, you were twelve. We were walking home from school, and it started lashing down with rain. I didn’t bring a coat or an umbrella—of course I didn’t—but you did. And instead of sharing it, you held it over me and walked beside me, getting soaked.”
I turn to the small group of people gathered. “I don’t know why he didn’t just get under the umbrella with me—there was plenty of room.”
Laughter ripples gently, and when I look back at him, his eyes are twinkling.
“That was the moment I knew. Even then, you’d rather be uncomfortable than see me suffer. I’ve been yours ever since.”
My throat tightens. “Even during the years apart, my heart refused to accept that you were truly gone. There was this hollow ache where you were supposed to be. And then I found you again. Despite everything—despite how messy and impossible it seemed—I’m so grateful the world led me back to you.”
I squeeze his hands.
“I promise to love you—the darkness and the light—for therest of this life, and every one that comes after.”
The room descends into silence. The vicar nods at Enzo.
He opens his mouth. Closes it. Clears his throat.
His voice is thick, rough around the edges. Broken in the way that only love can do.
“Isolde, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met—and I don’t just mean on the outside. Although…” he lets out a breathy laugh, eyes roaming over me, “look at you. You’re fucking stunning.”
I hate the way my mind immediately draws to the scar now decorating my cheek. Enzo says it doesn’t change how he sees me. But how can that be?
“I used to think your kindness made you too innocent for me. For my world. But I was wrong. So fucking wrong.” His voice drops, quiet but steady now. “Your strength. Your fire. The way you take every hit and rise stronger—that’s what makes you mine. My perfect match.”
He swallows hard, cupping my hands tighter.
