My father reachesfor a glass of champagne while grumbling at the servers, and I clear my throat. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“You’re gonna talk to him?” Mom whispers.
I nod. “I have to. For my own closure.”
Matteo rubs me on my back. “If you need me, just glance, and I’ll come rescue you.”
I press a kiss to his cheeks. “Thank you. I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl.” I wink.
“I know.” He gives me a gentle nudge.
I walk toward my father, but the second he sees me coming, he immediately lifts his head high and looks away.
“Hi. Can we talk?”
Before he can protest, I drag him into an adjacent roomand close the door so no one can hear us.
He clears his throat. “I’m impressed … you finally managed to convince a man to take you as his wife.”
I frown. “You do realize all the trouble I went through was because of your inability to help Mom, right?”
“You keep telling yourself that. I was under no obligation to help anyone.”
“She was your wife,” I retort, getting angrier by the second.
“She’s the one who divorced me, not the other way around.”
“What does that even have to do with anything? She was sick! She needed your help, and you wouldn’t even show your face.”
“I don’t do charity,” he responds so coldly it makes me want to scream.
“Do you even know what I’ve been through?”
“What does that have to do—”
“You flaked on Mom, and I was left to pick up the pieces. I was the one who paid for her cancer treatment. I’m the one who made sure she had groceries. I’m the one who brought her to every hospital visit. I’m the one who took care of her when you disappeared!” I can’t stop my voice from becoming louder and louder.
“Stella,” he growls.
“No, I’m not finished! I literally had to beg a goddamn mafioso for money, and he forced me into a marriage.” I stuff my finger into his chest. “So he could getyourmoney.”
He stares at me, lips parted, but without saying another word.
“I fought tooth and nail to get out of that mess, and the only one who was in my corner was Matteo.”
“Well, I’m glad you found someone who loves you enough to care about you.”
Fuck him.
I slap him.
“You don’t deserve to be at my wedding.”
“You dare to slap your father?” he growls back.
“You’re not my father anymore. Now get out!” I point at the door. “I never want to see you again.”
He makes ahmpfsound. “I’d rather take my money to the grave than hand it over to the likes of you.” He lifts his head high like he’s got something to be proud of and marches toward the door, slamming it open with both hands before waltzing past everyone right for the exit.
