“Because it’s still true.” His eyes flicked toward the cathedral entrance. “Every man in there is about to hate Leo.”
I tried to smile. It didn’t quite work. Sergio noticed, asking, “You okay?”
I didn’t answer. This time, I didn’t have it in me to keep up with his banter.
The massive cathedral doors opened before I could say anything else. The wedding planner, wearing an elegant black suit hurried down the steps toward us, clipboard clutched tightly against her chest. Her face brightened when she saw me.
“SignorinaVentura… sorry,SignoraMoretti-to-be,” she corrected nervously. “Everything is ready for you inside.”
My stomach rolled.
“Wonderful,” I lied weakly.
The wedding planner smiled tightly before glancing behind me. “Your family arrived earlier this morning, by the way.”
I froze. “What?”
Sergio’s brows lifted sharply beside me.
“Your siblings,” the planner continued. “Mr. Moretti arranged private transportation for them last night. They’re waiting in the bridal suite upstairs.”
For one full second, I forgot how to breathe. Then my heart cracked wide open.
“They’re all here?” I whispered.
The woman blinked. “Yes,signorina.”
Oh my God. Before anyone could stop me, I practically ran up the cathedral stairs. My heels clicked wildly against marble while guards scrambled behind me, satin skirts gathered desperately in my fists. My pulse thundered painfully louder with every floor.
Please. Please let it really be them.
The bridal suite doors swung open.
“Chiara!” Sienna launched herself at me so hard I nearly fell backward. A sob ripped straight from my chest.
“Oh my God,” I cried, dropping to my knees despite the dress. “Sienna!”
Her tiny arms wrapped around my neck so tightly it hurt. She smelled like strawberry shampoo and home and every single thing I’d spent weeks crying over in Leo’s bed.
“You left,” she whimpered into my shoulder. “You really left.”
Fresh tears flooded my eyes.
“I know, baby,” I choked out. “I know.”
Aurora stood behind her near the vanity table, arms crossed tightly over a dark emerald dress while tears streamed silently down her face despite the furious expression she wore.
And Matteo… Matteo looked older somehow, even though not much time had passed. His dark suit fit awkwardly across broadening shoulders while he stood near the windows staring at me like he still wasn’t fully convinced I was real. My chest physically hurt.
“You’re all here,” I whispered brokenly. Aurora crossed the room first. Then she was hugging me too, fierce enough to bruise.
“You look nice,” she whispered angrily against my hair. “Nice for someone who’s about to be sold to the highest bidder.”
A laugh broke through my tears. “I missed you too.”
Aurora pulled back just enough to cup my face hard between her hands. “I mean it, though. You look beautiful.”
That nearly destroyed me.
