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I was grasping onto the idea that our love might come close.
Not that it matters now. I’ve failed them all.
He walks me towards the entrance, my heels clicking against the floor as we reach the double doors.
They open, but I can’t move. Every single person turns in their seat to gawk at me, like some sort of animal in the zoo. The crowd is a haze, a blur of color. All I can focus on is the monster grinning at me. In his black tux, his hands in his pockets.
My heart rate spikes as the violins play. My body is screaming at me to turn around, to run away. There isn’t a way out of this. I don’t have a choice. I chose Luca’s life over mine, and I will never regret that decision.
I take my first step through the threshold, my massive dress weighing me down. I hold my head up high, shoving my emotions deep down, keeping my eyes fixed on the gold cross, every step a stab in the chest.
Electricity fizzles in my body, and adrenaline takes over. It’s fight or flight, and this time, I can’t let my body win. I have to fight.
I peer to my left and my feet almost stop as I see the back of Luca’s head, next to his fiancé. I do everything I can to hold in the sob that threatens to erupt from my throat.
I can’t look at him, not when I basically have a gun to my back. I have to do this to save us all.
But he will always own my heart. He is my forever.
A forever I will never have.
I know I won’t survive this marriage.
I keep my gaze on that cross, Dante’s big frame in my peripheral. My arms tense as I grip the flowers, trying to stop the tremble, which only makes it worse, my legs starting to feel heavy with every step.
The tiniest whimper leaves my throat as I pass Luca, leaving him behind me. My past. My eyes locked with Dante’s evil ones.
He grins at me and blows me a kiss.
CHAPTERSEVENTY-TWO
luca
“You’re doing well so far. No one would know your heart is breaking inside,” Maria leans over and whispers.
I ignore her, shooting daggers at Dante.
My fingers dig into the chair in front of me so deeply the wood splinters. Frankie coughs from his seat in the aisle next to mine and gives me a tiny shake of his head when I glance at him.
My leg bounces up and down erratically as the violins start playing.
“If we could stand for the bride,” the priest announces.
I stand, holding my hands in front of my body.
The room goes silent and everyone turns to the entrance.
I can’t. I can’t look at her.
I fear if I do, Maria will be right. My heart will shatter.
My body is on high alert as she approaches me from behind. Everyone is muttering about how beautiful Rosa looks.
I squeeze my eyes shut as if I’m in physical agony.
I’ve failed her. I promised I would never abandon her, yet here we are.
Her heels clicking against the wooden floor get closer to me. I take a deep breath and open my eyes, turning my head to the right.
