"I didn't like red anymore," I said evenly.

Daniele's eyes went wide. "You didn't like red anymore? That car was worth half a million dollars!"

I shrugged. "So? You gave it to me. It was mine. I could do whatever I wanted with it."

Daniele drew a long breath, fighting to keep it together. His voice softened, switching to the gentle act. "Regina, I know you're upset. But you can't be this reckless."

I snorted. "Reckless? What exactly did I do that was so reckless?"

He stepped closer. "You knew that car meant a lot to me. It was the one we drove on our first date."

I stepped back. "And now it's old. I no longer feel anything for it. Selling it was better."

Daniele's expression flickered, but he recovered fast, slipping back into that confident smile. "Fine. I'll admit that I've been ignoring you lately. But once the wedding's over, everything will be better."

I raised an eyebrow. "The wedding? I know."

"Of course I'm talking about our wedding," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Though I'll be getting back late that day."

"Why?"

"I'm taking Sofia to Helarno for a vacation. I might not get back until later," Daniele said lightly, like it shouldn't bother me at all.

I stared at him, disgust curling in my chest. He honestly still thought I'd marry him. He genuinely believed I didn't know he'd tampered with the marriage alliance contract.

I moved toward the desk. "Okay. Whatever you want."

I pulled out a gold-embossed wedding invitation and handed it to him.

Daniele took it. "What's this?"

"It's the wedding invitation. You said you wanted to attend, right?"

Daniele didn't even glance at it. He shoved it straight into his pocket. "Of course. Why would I miss my own wedding?"

He then ruffled Sofia's hair. "See? She knows I only see you as a sister. She won't make a fuss over something this small."

Sofia turned on her sweetest, most innocent voice. "I always thought if you loved someone, you'd care if your fiance went on vacation with another woman."

Daniele froze, then turned to me, taking in how blank my expression was. For the first time, real unease crossed his face.

"Regina?" he said, testing the waters.

I didn't answer. I just watched the two of them.

Daniele's voice wavered. "Y-You're not actually mad, right?"

I smiled. "Why would I be? You're right. You only see Sofia as your sister."

He let out a breath, but that uneasy look in his eyes didn't fade.

He grinned and said. "Then it's settled. I'll be in Helarno for a few days, and when I'm back, we'll have the wedding. And since you don't like that car anymore, I'll buy you a new one after the wedding."

I nodded. "Va bene. Hope you two enjoy yourselves."

Daniele pulled Sofia toward the door, but right before stepping out, he glanced back at me.

I was still there, smiling softly, and something about it sent a chill down his spine.

"Daniele, what's wrong?" Sofia asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go."

But his unease only got worse.

My behavior earlier had been way off. Every other time he brought up another woman, I'd get jealous or pissed off. But today, I didn't react at all while he and Sofia flirted right in front of me.

That wasn't me. Not the version of me he thought he knew.

Sofia noticed how far away he suddenly seemed. "Daniele, what are you thinking about?"

Daniele frowned. "I'm thinking about Regina. She was different today."

A flash of jealousy sparked in Sofia's eyes. "Different? What do you mean by different?"

"She's too calm, in a way that wasn't her at all."

Sofia's chest tightened, but she forced a casual tone. "Maybe she finally realized something."

"Realized what?"

Sofia jabbed him on purpose. "That you're never actually going to marry her. You've dragged it out long enough, haven't you?"

Daniele's face tightened. "What the hell are you talking about? Of course I'm going to marry her."

Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why are you taking me to Helarno?"

Daniele opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

That was when it hit him. Maybe I'd seen straight through him. But it was too late to fix anything now. He'd already promised Sofia, and he wasn't about to back out.

Besides, as far as he was concerned, I loved him too much to walk away.

My voice replayed in Daniele's head. "Okay. Whatever you want."

His smile froze.

The makeup artist clipped on the last pearl earring and asked, "Ms. Sterlini, are you ready?"

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the ivory wedding dress and the diamond headpiece set in my hair.

When I rose, the skirt fell in a soft sweep. "I'm ready."

It was my wedding day, but the groom wasn't Daniele. It was Samuele.

A line of black luxury cars waited outside. Through the window, I spotted Samuele coming to pick me up himself.

He stepped out of the limo. His face was still pale, but he looked tall and sharp in his suit, a white rose pinned to his lapel. He took my hand, his grip steady, treating me with a quiet kind of respect.

Samuele held my hand. "You look beautiful, more than any bride I've ever seen."

I slid in beside him and murmured, "Grazie."

The line of limos pulled away toward the church. It was one of the oldest in the city, the traditional wedding site for the Moretti family.

Inside, every pew was already filled. Representatives from all the major families were there, along with key figures from politics and business.

Samuele kept my hand in his as he walked me down the aisle. His steps were steady, offering me as much respect and support as he could give.

The pipe organ filled the church with the wedding march, its solemn notes turning the air almost sacred.

The priest began the ceremony. "We gather here today to witness the holy matrimony of Mr. Samuele Moretti and Ms. Regina Sterlini…"

Everything moved forward without a hitch.

Guests whispered among themselves, all buzzing about how unexpected the match was.

"I never thought Ms. Sterlini would end up marrying Mr. Samuele."

"I heard the marriage gifts he prepared were incredibly generous. Way better than what Mr. Daniele ever promised."

"Mr. Samuele may not be in great health, but he's definitely more mature and reliable than Mr. Daniele."

"This marriage benefits both the Sterlinis and the Morettis. It's just a shame his health is so fragile. Who knows…"

I caught every word, and a humorless laugh rose in my chest. I wondered what they'd say if they knew the truth.

The priest continued with the vows. "Marriage is a sacred union that demands loyalty and commitment from both sides…"

Samuele held my hand, his eyes steady and focused.

That was when the church doors slammed open. A voice cut through the entire hall. "Wait!"

Daniele staggered inside, his shirt half-tucked. He reeked of alcohol, his hair a mess like he'd rolled out of bed and run straight here.

The church fell silent, like someone had hit a mute button.

He pointed at me and roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "Regina! Regina Sterlini, you have no shame! I show up a few hours late, and you just pick some random man to marry?"

The whole room went still. Guests stared in stunned disbelief.

He ignored every horrified look thrown his way, including Donna Moretti's in the front row. Her expression had gone stone-cold.

"Daniele! What do you think you're doing?" Donna Moretti snapped.

"Nonna, this is a misunderstanding! Regina is my fiancee! She can't marry Uncle Samuele!" Daniele shouted, booze rolling off him in waves.

Samuele stayed at the altar, steady as ever, as if Daniele's outburst were nothing more than a brief interruption. He didn't loosen his grip on my hand.

One of the Moretti capos muttered, "Daniele, are you out of your mind?"

"This is a sacred church!" another chimed in.

But Daniele didn't hear any of them. His eyes burned with anger and wounded pride, the alcohol stripping away whatever sense he'd left.

He lurched toward the altar, swaying with every step. "Regina, you think this is how you get back at me? Did you forget what we had? All the good times we shared?"

Samuele watched him expressionlessly. But I felt the quiet danger coming off him, like a predator waiting to strike.

I stayed silent too, just looking at the man who used to be my fiance.

Daniele grew more frantic, his voice starting to crack. "Say something! We were childhood sweethearts. We had so many good memories together!"

I finally spoke, my voice going cold. "Memories? You mean the ones you made with Sofia in Helarno?"

Daniele's face drained, the alcohol seeming to drop right out of him. "That was different. Sofia's just—"

"Just what?" I cut him off with a thin, mocking smile. "Just your sister?"

A louder wave of whispers rippled through the church.

"So it's true. Mr. Daniele really did have something going on with that bar hostess."

"No wonder Ms. Sterlini chose to marry Mr. Samuele instead. I wouldn't put up with that either."

"He's dragged the Moretti family's name through the mud."

Daniele realized he'd slipped, but it was already too late. He looked around like an animal cornered with no way out, meeting nothing but contempt and mocking eyes.

In a desperate burst, he shoved past the groomsman blocking his path and jabbed a finger at Samuele, who stood at the altar.

Driven by whatever madness he had left, Daniele barked at me, "Who the hell does he think he is? Regina, why are you still standing there? Get over here and stand where you belong!"