He glares at me. "I know you hate it, but we have contracts in place. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't dissolve this. Gemma signed those documents."
"Because your mother?—"
He holds up a hand. "I don't want to fight about this again, Sera."
His dismissal is clear, and I glare at him. "Give me ten minutes to fix my hair."
He nods, still holding Angelo, and I slip past him back to our room. I need a moment.
When I look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself.
Six months ago, I was Seraphina Romano. Bookshop assistant. Scared. Broke. Drowning.
Now I'm Seraphina Nero. Don's wife. Mother. Survivor.
The woman looking back at me is stronger. Harder in some ways. But also, more herself than she's ever been.
I've found myself in this marriage. I was forced to. And as I spray my hair, I pray Gemma finds her own peace.
Adrian and Angelo waiting at the top of the grand staircase. Adrian's hand is on Angelo's back, keeping him secure, and they're both looking down at the foyer below where guests are beginning to gather.
He turns when I approach, and something shifts in his expression. Softens and heats at the same time.
"Beautiful," he says quietly.
"Thank you."
He offers his me one arm, and has Angelo cradled against his chest with the other. I take it, and we stand there for a moment at the top of the stairs, looking down.
"This is our first official outing as a family since I became Don," Adrian says. "Everyone will be watching."
"I know."
"They'll judge. Scrutinize. Look for weakness."
I square my shoulders. I may not agree with this situation, but I won't fight Adrian. Not in public. "They won't find any," I say.
His eyes meet mine and I see he is pleasantly surprised. "You're not nervous?"
"No."
He studies me for a long moment. Then he smiles. Not the cold smile he gives his enemies. The real one. The one he saves for me.
"Then let's show them who you are."
We descend the staircase together.
The foyer is filled with people. Three families. Nero soldiers in their best suits. Morozov representatives, including Alexei himself who watches with those bright, calculating eyes. The Marinis, with Antonio at their head.
And Gemma. Already in her wedding dress. White lace and silk. Beautiful and tragic.
She sees us coming down the stairs and her face hardens.
I don't look away. Don't flinch. Just keep my hand on Adrian's arm and my head high.
This is my family now. For better or worse.
This is my world, and I know how to navigate it.
