Across the table, I caught Matteo's eye. He was seated near the end, between one of Aria's cousins and the hotel coordinator. Professional distance. He looked away quickly, returning his attention to whoever was speaking to him.
The knot in my stomach tightened.
Xavier stood, tapping his fork against his glass. The chatter around the tables quieted.
"Alright, everyone. Before we get too deep into the wine—which is excellent, by the way—" He nodded toward Matteo. "I thought we'd hear from a few people. Starting with my favorite sister."
Every head turned toward me.
"Xavier—"
"Come on, Isa. Say a few words about the happy couple. You've known Sebastian longer than anyone here except me, and I already gave my speech at the engagement party."
I was going to murder him.
But everyone was waiting. Aria was looking at me with hopeful eyes. Sebastian was trying to hide a smile behind his wine glass.
I stood on unsteady legs.
"I'm not very good at speeches," I started. "Xavier got the public speaking gene. I got the... fabric gene, I suppose."
Polite laughter rippled through the group.
"But I can talk about my brother." I looked at Sebastian. "When we were young, Sebastian was always the responsible one. The one who held everything together when things fell apart. The one who made sure I did my homework, even when Dad was too busy to notice."
The word slipped out before I could catch it. Dad.
Something shifted in my chest, cracking open.
"Our father had certain expectations. For all of us, but especially for Sebastian. He was supposed to take over the business, carry on the legacy, be everything Dad wanted him to be." I paused. "And he did. He became all of those things. But somewhere along the way, he also became himself. Someone kind, and thoughtful, and capable of a love so deep it's almost annoying to witness."
More laughter, softer this time.
"Dad isn't here to see this. To see Sebastian marry the woman he loves. To see the man he's become." My voice wavered, but I continued talking. "I think about that sometimes. What he would say. Whether he'd be proud."
The terrace had gone quiet. I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"I think he would be." I looked at Sebastian, whose eyes were suspiciously bright. "I think he'd look at you and Aria, at what you've built together, and he'd finally understand that love isn't something you plan. It's something you choose. Every day."
I raised my glass. My hand was shaking slightly.
"To Sebastian and Aria. May you keep choosing each other. Every day. For the rest of your lives."
"To Sebastian and Aria," everyone echoed.
I sat down quickly, my heart pounding, my eyes stinging.
Femi's arm slid around my shoulders immediately.
"That was beautiful," he said. "Absolutely brilliant. You did amazing."
I nodded, unable to speak.
"Seriously, Issy. Everyone was captivated. You looked incredible."
You looked incredible.
That's what he'd taken from it. Not the words. Not the emotion. It was how I looked.
