"Yes, but only because they're wondering how easy it would be to get you to spread your legs." His fists are clenched at his sides, but I ignore him, wading further into the crowd and planting myself in front of my mother-in-law.
"Thank you for the dress, Lucia. I truly feel like the guest of honor today," I say sweetly, and for a second, her mask drops.
"Whatever do you mean, Allegra?" she starts, laughing, and the women next to her are all looking on curiously.
"She must have told you to dress in pastels, right? She didn't want to steal my shine. I am, after all, the bride." I give them all a dazzling smile before excusing myself and walking back to find Enzo.
Even though I'd managed to have the last word in that particular confrontation, the evening was far from over.
As I pass a group of girls my age, I can't help but overhear their conversation.
"So kitschy. I wonder where she got that from—Goodwill?"
"Maybe from the last decade," another one comments, and they all laugh.
Taking a deep breath, I decide it's not worth my time or effort. I'm almost back at the double doors when I spot Enzo. He's deep in conversation with someone. I take a step forward, but I'm shocked when the woman by his side turns a little and I see the face of an angel.
I stop, rooted to the spot. The pair of them look ethereal. Enzo with his perfectly chiseled looks, and that woman with her sweet face. And I'm not the only one who thinks so, as people's gazes are drawn toward them, admiring the view.
I don't think it's often that two people this good-looking are standing next to each other in the same room.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" a sly voice says from behind me. "This is what he gave up to marry you. Take a good look and see why he's never going to be yours. Not when his match in everything is but a step away."
I turn my head slightly and Rocco gives me a small nod. He motions for me to follow him until we reach Enzo's side.
"Gianna, this is my wife, Allegra." Enzo makes the introductions, and Gianna raises her chin slightly.
"Oh, Enzo, how quaint!" she exclaims in a fake, feminine shrill. "Pleased to meet you, Allegra."
"Likewise," I reply, but because of my accent, thessounds like a hardz. She releases a soft giggle.
"Son, Benedicto wants a word," Rocco says, taking Enzo aside and instructing Gianna to introduce me to her friends and make me feel more welcome.
As if.
I follow her to a group of girls, and all of them are dressed in varying shades of white and pink. I feel like a clown among them in my glaringly red dress. But as always, I don't let it show.
"Girls, this is Allegra, Enzo's new wife," Gianna starts, and they all burst into laughter.
"Tell us, what do you have over them?" another girl, Maria, asks me.
"What do you mean?"
"You must have something over their heads; otherwise, he would have never abandoned Gianna to marry you. I mean…" She steps back a little, looking back and forth between the two ofus. "You're miles apart…if you know what I mean." Another giggle.
"Nothing," I shrug, already looking for an opening to leave their clique.
"My papa told me about you. You should go back to your village, fuck a cow or something," she continues, and the laughter gets louder.
"Sienna!" Giana makes a show of gasping and being scandalized.
"What, isn't that what they do in the countryside? Imagine if Enzo's baby ends up having fur," she says, proud of her logic.
I roll my eyes at her.
"A cow is female, first of all, and second, it's not biologically possible." I tilt my head to the side, looking at them.
"Are you speaking from experience?" Maria chortles, and the only one seemingly trying not to laugh is Gianna. But she already thinks she's so above everyone here.
