"We admit there was a substitution—but claim it was planned. That Giovanni and I agreed you were the better choice. That Bianca was unsuitable."
Paola bit her lip, and I knew what she must be thinking: she didn’t want to paint her sister in a dark light. But her sister had also had a part in her betrayal…"Will anyone believe that?"
"Some will. Some won't. But it's better than letting Viktor control the story." I joined her. "We make it about strategy, notdeception. About me choosing you because you were stronger, smarter, more suited to be my wife."
"That's a huge risk."
"Everything in this world is a risk. But I'd rather risk everything on the truth than let Viktor own us."
She was quiet. Then: "When?"
"Tonight. Before we leave. I'll make an announcement. Brief. Controlled."
"And if it doesn't work?"
I took her hand, brought it to my lips. "Then we face it together."
We composed ourselves, returned to the celebration. I found Piero. "Gather the family. I'm making an announcement in twenty minutes."
Piero's eyes widened. "What kind?"
"The kind that changes everything. Just do it."
I took Paola's hand, led her toward the raised platform. My heart was pounding. I was about to gamble everything on one move.
The orchestra finished. The room quieted.
This was it.
Giovanni was a smart man, staying away from potential conflicts. Which meant he couldn't contradict my story. Not immediately, anyway.
I was gambling he'd go along with it to save face. Admitting he'd forced the wrong daughter down the aisle would make him look weak, incompetent. Better to claim it was planned all along.
But if he didn't play along—if he publicly denied our "arrangement"—this would collapse spectacularly.
One move. Everything on the table.
I stepped up to the microphone, Paola at my side.
"Thank you all for being here tonight," I began. "Six years ago, I took on the responsibility of leading this family. Tonight, I want to share something important about the future."
I could see Viktor across the room—eyes narrowed, realizing something was happening.
"Many of you know I recently married Miss Lombardo, ending the long conflict between our families. What you may not know is that this marriage represents something more than alliance."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Paola's hand tightened on mine. I squeezed back.Together.
"The original arrangement was for me to marry Bianca Lombardo. But after careful consideration, both Giovanni and I agreed that Paola was the better choice. The stronger choice. The right choice for this family's future."
The murmurs grew louder. Shock. Speculation.
Viktor's expression shifted—surprise, then fury.
"Some of you may question this decision. Some may call it unconventional. But I stand here tonight with my wife—my choice—and I ask you to respect that choice as you respect me."
Dead silence.
