She turns to face the couple.
“Luciano, I’m sorry for getting you in trouble. I stole the rings, not Isa.”
The crowd collectively gasps.
“Isa tried to convince me to give them back to you and even fought me for them until we accidentally dropped them at the bottom of the lake and I lied to Isa about finding them.”
Valentina pulls two rings from her pocket and hands them to Luciano.
“I got these at a gift shop nearby for $20. I know it’s not your designer rings you spent a fortune on, but I hope you’ll find the memory of these to be more valuable than the money spent?”
Luciano pulls her in for a hug, laughing softly. “Well, Val, I guess we’ll just have to see which ones hold up better over time.”
Sofia joins in with a smirk. “Yeah, I suppose we’ll be telling this story at every anniversary, so thanks for giving us something priceless. The actual rings…well, that’s another conversation,” she adds with a playful wink.
Luciano chuckles. “Either way, thank you, Val. This week wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Take care of my best friend, okay?”
“I will. I promise.”
Valentina turns back to me.
“Isa, I never loved Silvana.”
Maria lets out a cackle, making Silvana’s face change to a dark shade of red.
“I don’t want to be with her. I never did. The time I have spent with you this week has been the happiest of my life, after spending so many years of loving someone who didn’t love me the same. I did see you. The real you. And I hope everyone can see it, because the real Isa is amazing. She’s friendly, compassionate, and driven, and she will do anything for her family, even if it means lying about her entire life so they’d have her around. Everyone here has secrets they’re not sharing out of fear of rejection. We’re all the same. You’re just the one who was brave enough to admit it. So I have to ask you. Can we please un—break up now?”
I laugh as I rush down the aisle to her, leaping into her arms. Much to my surprise, all of the guests begin to clap. The groomsmen let out a few whoops, and I can hear Maria screaming at the top of her lungs above the rest. I pull back and place my lips against Valentina’s, sharing a kiss with her in the middle of my sister’s wedding.
Sofia rushes over and hugs both of us.
“I love you guys. But it’s time for me to get married.” She laughs and shoos us away from the altar.
After the justice of the peace goes through the first part of the ceremony, the moment finally arrives for the couple to exchange their vows. The atmosphere is electric with anticipation as the guests look on, eager to witness the exchange of heartfelt promises.
The harpist plays a soft and romantic melody, slowly building it into a crescendo as the couple faces each other, their eyes locked in an intimate gaze.
Sofia and Luciano hold hands, their fingers interlaced in a gesture of love and commitment. Sofia’s eyes sparkle with emotion as she begins to speak her vows, her voice soft and sincere.
“I promise to love, cherish, and support you through life’s ups and downs. I promise to be your partner, confidante, and best friend. I promise to always strive to make you happy and be there for you in good times and bad. I also promise never to let material things come between our love for each other ever again. I would rather get married to you with $20 rings than not at all. You’re my everything, Luc. I love you.”
Luciano’s eyes fill with tears as he listens to Sofia speak. Then, he takes a deep breath and begins to say his own vows, his voice shaking, filled with love and determination.
“I promise to love you with all my heart, to stand by your side through thick and thin, and to cherish you for the rest of my days. I promise to be your rock, support, and comfort in life’s challenges. I always vow to be faithful, loving, and true. I vow to ground you when you get upset over silly rings getting lost and remind you how much stronger our love is than any amount of money in the world. I love you, Sofia.”
As they exchange rings, their hands trembling with emotion, we all watch in awe, moved by the moment’s beauty. Finally, the harpist plays a triumphant melody, signaling the end of the ceremony, and the newlyweds share their first kiss as husband and wife, sealing their love for the rest of their lives. We all stand up, cheering, shouting, clapping, and throwing flower petals in the air as they walk down the aisle. The bridal party soon follows, but as Valentina approaches my row, she reaches for me to walk down the aisle with her.
“Walk with me?” she asks, smiling.
“I’d love to,” I say, feeling a sense of peace I never thought was possible.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Walking through cocktail hour on Valentina’s arm feels like I have won the grand prize at a high-end casino. The event is set up next to the reception area, and there are multiple bars decorated with flowers, vines, and white linen. Bartenders in crisp white shirts and black vests stand behind the bar, ready to whip up any drink we desire. A string quartet plays soft classical music in the background.
We head toward one of the bars to pick up some already prepared his-and-hers drinks. Valentina picks up the spiced pear gin and tonic, and I choose the apple cider Moscow mule. The drink is served in a beautiful crystal glass, garnished with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
