Our guests have already arrived at the reception when Luca and I enter. They give us a round of applause – except Susanna of course. She’s moping at her seat.
Luca pulls me onto the dance floor to start our first dance together. I stumble into his arms but he catches me.
“Are you clumsy?” he asks.
“Just nervous.”
He gives me a knowing look but doesn’t comment otherwise. His strong hands are on my back, holding me close to him. I’m bound to this man forever now. I’m not exactly sure how to feel about that.
Luca isn’t one for much chitchat as we dance. He seems more determined to get it over and done with, like it’s a part of the schedule and not something he actually cherishes.
I glance over at Susanna only to find her marching onto the dance floor. No one else is dancing since this moment is about me and Luca.
Before I can stop her, she begins to dance. Her type of dancing doesn’t fit the style of music. It’s gyrating and rolling her hips around.
Luca stops our dance and stares at her in confusion. “What is your sister doing?”
“I’m not sure.” But I do know. She’s trying to make this moment about her. She can’t stand that this moment is about me.
“Get her to stop.”
“She doesn’t listen to me.”
“She’s your sister. It would be better if you get her to stop than have it be me. I don’t appreciate people making me into an embarrassment. So get her to stop.”
With a deep breath, I go over to Susanna and tap her on the shoulder. “You need to stop. This dance is for me and Luca. Not you.”
She ignores me and continues dancing. No shame.
“Susanna. Stop.”
“I can do whatever I want. I’m an adult now.”
“You’re embarrassing yourself. And me and Luca.”
“So, you already care more about our husband than me? Got it.”
A rush of anger goes over me and I grab Susanna’s arm. “Stop!”
She stares at me in shock before she reaches out and rips the sleeve of my dress down, tearing it. Ruining my dress.
The room goes silent in shock.
I stare back at my sister, feeling like I don’t even know her, before I take off running out of the ballroom, tears in my eyes.
Chapter Four
Nina
It’s embarrassing to cry at my own wedding. I remember when Katya married Alek and Susanna also tore her dress. I had stood back and said nothing. I didn’t help Katya like I should have and now it’s come to bite me in the back. Because Susanna, my own sister, is turning on me and I’m the one left crying over it with a torn wedding dress.
It’s karma at its finest.
Luca finds me in the hallway. I turn away from him, not wanting him to see my tears. Even though he’s my husband now, he’s still a stranger.
“Why do you let your sister boss you around like that?”
His question startles me. “I don’t,” I mumble, wiping my tears away.
