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“Because I want you to confirm it! Blackmail is illegal, Father, not to mention morally wrong. How could you do that?” I forced air past my tight chest. “Am I so undesirable you had to force someone into marrying me?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” he snapped. “It wasn’t anyone. It was Dante Russo. Do you know the doors marrying a Russo would open? Even with our wealth and your sister’s marriage, some people look down on us. They’ll invite us to their parties, and they’ll take our money for fundraisers, but they whisper behind our backs, Vivian. They think we’re not good enough. Marriage to Dante would’ve shut those whispers down immediately.”
“Fate put him in my path, and I took advantage of it for our family. I won’t apologize for that.”
“Someone who would’ve willingly agreed to an arranged marriage.” “Someone who would’ve willingly agreed wouldn’t have been good enough.”
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me! I went to the ‘right’ college, broke up with Heath, and played the role of perfect society daughter. I even agreed to marry a man I barely knew because it would make you happy. But I’m done living my life for you.” Emotion thickened my voice. “It’s my life, Father. Not yours. And the same way you can’t make decisions for me any longer…I can’t make excuses for you. Not anymore.”
My father had disowned me. My father had disowned me, and I hadn’t tried to stop him because the price was too high.
The only thing I had left was myself. And for now, that would have to be enough.
“You’re right. It is too soon. And, while I really like you as a friend…” I emphasized the last word. “I’m not sure I want to date right now.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you did or didn’t realize.” The lethally quiet statement poured ice down my spine. “Touch Vivian again, and I’ll kill you.”
“I fucked up, Vivian. I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have, and I’m trying to make it right.”
“Mia cara…”
“I left four days ago, Dante. You were happy to let me walk away then. Do you expect me to believe you did a one-eighty in such a short period of time?” “No. I don’t expect you to believe anything I say, but I hope you do,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry you found out the truth the way you did. I should’ve told you earlier, but the truth is…” His throat flexed with another hard swallow. “I wasn’t ready to let you go. I pulled back after Paris and told myself I was easing you into the truth when in reality, I wanted the best of both worlds. To keep you and to fool myself into thinking I wouldn’t.”
Yes, I was forced into the engagement, but everything that happened afterward? Our dates, our talks, our trip to Paris…no one forced me to do those things. They were real. And I was stupid enough to think I could get over them or you when…”
“You’re wrong,” Dante said. “Something has changed. I thought I could live without you. That my vengeance meant more than my feelings for you. It took only a few days—hell, a few hours—to realize I can’t, and it doesn’t. I didn’t want to distract you while you were preparing for the ball, which is why I haven’t reached out earlier. But…” His throat worked with another swallow. “I love you, Vivian. More than I could ever hate your father. And more than I ever thought I was capable of.”
“You and me,” Dante said. His eyes held mine. “For real this time. We can make it work. That is…if you want to.”
I loved Dante. I’d known since Paris, and there was no point pretending my feelings had magically changed overnight despite what happened. I loved the way his smiles peeked through his scowls. I loved how he kissed my shoulder every morning when I woke up. I missed his humor and intelligence, his strength and vulnerability, his thoughtfulness and ambition. But just because I loved him didn’t mean I trusted him or myself. We can make it work. That is…if you want to.
“The apartment isn’t the same without you, mia cara.”
it’d turned into a shell of itself in her absence.
“It’s the truth,” I said. “Your clothes are here. Your memories are here. But you’re not here, and I…” I dragged in a shaky breath and pushed my hand through my hair. “Fuck, Vivian, I didn’t think I was capable of missing someone so much. But I am, and I do.” I had all the money in the world, but it couldn’t buy me the only thing I wanted. Her, back by my side.
“You say you miss me now, but the feeling will pass. You’re Dante Russo. You can have anyone.” A waver rippled beneath her voice. “You don’t need me.”
“I don’t want anyone,” I said fiercely. “I want you. Your wit and intelligence, your kindness and charm. The way your eyes crinkle when you laugh and how your smile makes the world tilt just a little bit. I even want the disgusting food combinations you put together and somehow make taste good.”
“We’re working things out the way any couple would.” “Most couples aren’t as dysfunctional as we are.” “There’s nothing wrong with a little dysfunction. It keeps things interesting.”
“You and me, sweetheart. That’s the destination. And I’m willing to take as many steps as I need to get there.”
“I’m sorry.” The aching whisper ghosted over me, seeping into my veins and settling into my bones. Another shiver ran through me. “I’m sorry for hurting you…” A soft kiss at the delicate crease between my thigh and insistent heat. “For pushing you away…” He slid my underwear to the side and gently touched his tongue to my clit. “For ever making you feel unwanted when you’re the only person I’ve ever loved.”
“Per te aspetterei per sempre, amore mio.” “Spero non ci vorrà così tanto.”
“Red diamonds are the rarest colored diamonds in existence. Only thirty or so had ever been mined. My grandfather bought one of the first red diamonds in the 1950s and proposed to my grandmother with it. She passed it to my father, who gave it to my mother…” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Who gave it to me.”
My pulse thumped with nerves as the most important question of my life left my mouth. “Vivian Lau, will you marry me?” Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. A lone drop escaped and streaked down her cheek as she nodded. “Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
The only thing that existed was her.
A part of me would always find my way to her. She was my North Star, the brightest jewel in my sky.
The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. I barely heard them. I was too busy with my wife. Wife. The word sent an electric thrill down my spine.
She was my wife, my partner, my guiding star. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Hmm. There is this woman I’ve been eyeing all night…” Dante dipped his head so his lips brushed mine. “She’s beautiful, charming, has the best smile I’ve ever seen…but I think she’s married.”
