He leaves without another word.
That’s what I like about my brother. He doesn’t need explanations.
Later, when I’m alone again, I pull out the folder Emiliano gave me. The official papers, the signatures, the contract binding two families that spent years tearing each other apart.
My name looks wrong beside hers. Too sharp. Too final.
I trace the edge of the ink, then close the folder.
There’s no turning back now. In a month, she’ll walk down the aisle believing she’s marrying a stranger. And when she looks up and sees me instead…
I’ll finally get to see what it truly means to hand your entire being to another person. Even if it’s in front of the entire world.
50
MARA
The limo pulls up to the reception hall, and I don’t know how much longer I can be in the same space as him. I’m out of there before the car comes to a full stop.
Nicolo calls my name, but I don’t stop. Emiliano just got here as well, and I make my way toward him.
“I need to talk to you.”
He nods and follows me inside. I find an empty room, away from the chaos of the reception.
“What happened to the original groom?” I ask, chest heaving.
“Nicolo struck a better deal.”
Pressing my lips together, I let out a sigh before asking, “Is that all I ever am? A chess piece for you to move around to get the best deal?”
My brother says silent, his hands tucked in his pockets.
“Answer me!” I demand.
“This was for the best.”
I shake my head. “The best for who, Eli? For me? Or for you? I don’t know what’s happening to you, but this isn’t the brother I grew up with. First, you cut off Lucio because he fell in love, and now you sacrifice me for your own benefit.”
“Lucio wasn’t punished for being in love. He betrayed the Camorra for a woman and opened us up to an attack that cost Ma her life.”
“No. That’s not the reason, and you know it.”
He shakes his head. “You wouldn’t underst?—”
“Because you won’t tell me anything! This whole mess is because you chose Valentina over the Camorra. Lucio can’t choose the woman he loves over the Camorra, but you can?”
“Enough! I’m done talking about this.”
The door clicks shut, and our heads snap toward myhusband.
“Careful how you talk to my wife.”
Eli clicks his tongue. “I’ll talk to my sister how I want to.”
“The fuck you will.”
“Get out, Nicolo,” I interrupt.
