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“Thank you,” I breathe.
“And we’ll be sisters,” Elena says excitedly. “I can’t wait for your wedding. I know there’s not a lot of time to plan but I already have so many ideas for it.”
“Before their wedding though, I think we should have an engagement party. What do you think, Sophia? One to officially commemorate your union. I’ve noticed you still don’t have a ring,” she says throwing Tony a sharp look.
“I’m going to get her one soon,” Tony mutters beside me.
“We’ll have the party once he finally gets around to it. Nothing too large, just your family and ours. Elena and I will take care of the planning. Is that okay,cara?”
I blink, staring into their faces, a little overwhelmed. Beside me, Tony’s hand moves down my thigh before reaching for my hand. He intertwines our fingers and squeezes once.
“Yes, that’s perfect,” I say softly.
CHAPTER25
Tony
Of course I would to be getting married to the one woman in the world that would insist on picking her engagement ring herself. I had to tag along with her and her sister to go shopping for the ring she wanted. It was nice getting to know Katerina and I’m glad she eventually found a ring she loved. I paid and we went for dinner later where I proposed. I even got down on one knee to slide the ring onto her finger.
If I’m being honest, the entire thing felt a bit clinical. Unreal. Which I hate because one of the things I like best about Sophia is how real she feels.
I’m currently standing at the bar at our engagement party and it’s all still feeling a bit surreal. The entire evening has been an unending line of guests wanting to congratulate us. I thought Maria said the party was supposed to be small.
I ask for a shot of whiskey and throw it back before requesting another one. Which is when I feel a presence at my back. I almost roll my eyes at the sight of Eduardo Mincetti stepping beside me.
“Can I help you?” I drawl, staring forward because the sight of his face still fills me with rage.
“You and I are going to have to get used to each other, son. You are getting married to my daughter.”
“I’m aware,” I mutter, suddenly needing much more than a few shots of whiskey to get through the night.
Eduardo’s sighs beside me before saying something truly surprising.
“Your mother- I truly am sorry for what happened to her. She was caught up in a terrible situation. She didn’t deserve what I did to her. And I’m sorry for taking her away from you. Watching my girls grow up without their mother… I am sympathetic to what you had to go through. And a part of me wishes I didn’t contribute to that kind of pain.”
I look sideways in surprise, unwilling to believe he’s actually saying those words. Technically he already apologized. A few days ago. To me and Elena. He even managed to sound sincere then but this feels much more.
Eduardo places a hand on my shoulder. “I always used to say when my girls were growing up that Katerina’s my backbone and Sophia’s my heart. She has so much light and compassion in her. She has the best parts of me and her mother. Don’t break her heart,” he says softly.
I stare at him for a couple of moments. Until I can shake off my surprise and manage a nod.
“I’ll take care of her,” I promise.
“I don’t just want you to take care of her, Anthony. I want you to love her and treat her like the princess that she is. She likes to act tough, but deep down, she’s just as fragile as anyone else.”
“I understand.”
“Alright, good,” he says, squeezing my shoulder. “I think you’ll make a fine husband.”
I raise my shot glass in cheers at that. He turns to leave then seems to remember something.
“By the way, I was wondering how I could get in touch with your father. He might not want to hear it, but I figured he deserves an apology as well. He’s not at the party…” Eduardo trails off.
My jaw clenches as I stare straight forward. “That’s because he wasn’t invited.”
There’s a thoughtful pause before Eduardo speaks.
“Ironic isn’t it? I was the one that caused the problem, and yet I’m here at your engagement party.”
