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Chapter 3

Penulis: lsla
Every conversation in the chapel died when the doors opened.

Alessandro stood at the end of the aisle with the silver Moretti crest pinned to his jacket. He looked at me and gave the room the gentle smile everyone expected.

Only when I drew closer did I see that his gaze kept slipping over my shoulder to Sofia.

Papa placed my hand in Alessandro's, but he did not release it immediately.

"Take care of her," he said.

"On the honor of the Moretti family," Alessandro replied without hesitation.

The priest began the vows. At the side of the altar, our advisers opened the truce agreement. Once Alessandro and I completed the ceremony, the D'Angelos and Morettis would control the southern harbor together, and the old blood debt would be declared settled.

"Alessandro Moretti, do you take—"

A choked retch came from behind me.

Sofia covered her mouth and staggered into an arrangement of lilies. The vase shattered. All the color drained from her face.

"Sofia!"

Alessandro tore his hand from mine and ran down the aisle.

Mamma and Luca moved just as quickly. Luca shoved aside a servant who tried to help. Mamma wrapped Sofia in her own shawl. Alessandro lifted her into his arms.

Dozens of family heads watched in silence.

The Moretti consigliere closed the treaty folder. D'Angelo soldiers shifted toward their weapons. Papa's expression turned murderous, and the air on both sides of the chapel pulled tight.

"Continue the ceremony," I said.

Only then did I hear the tremor in my own voice.

I tightened my grip on the bouquet until a rose thorn pierced the ribbon and bit into my palm.

Alessandro did not seem to hear me. He carried Sofia toward the anteroom.

"We wait until the doctor says she's all right."

Mamma and Luca followed him.

I was left alone in the aisle.

"Give me ten minutes."

I gathered my skirts and walked into the anteroom.

Sofia lay on a sofa while Alessandro held her hand. Mamma knelt beside her with a cloth. Luca stood guard at the door as if someone might try to hurt her.

They all went still when I entered.

Alessandro released Sofia and stood between us.

"She nearly fainted. Don't upset her right now."

"She nearly fainted?"

My gaze moved from her pale face to the steaming cup of water beside her.

I did not accuse her of putting on another performance.

I only said, "There are people waiting outside. When are we finishing the ceremony?"

Mamma frowned. "Look at her. Is the ceremony all you care about?"

Luca's voice turned cold. "Waiting ten minutes will not kill anyone. You have had everything handed to you since birth. Why must you fight her for a little attention too?"

Blood from my palm had begun to seep through the ribbon around the roses.

No one noticed.

Alessandro softened his voice, using the same patient tone that had persuaded me to yield so many times before.

"Bella, you have always been the sensible one. As soon as she's steady, I'll go back out and finish the wedding."

The sensible one.

That was why I was expected to surrender the brooch, the man I loved, and even the right to walk away from my own humiliation.

I nodded once and turned toward the door.

A sob broke behind me.

"Bella, I'm sorry."

Sofia slid from the sofa and fell to her knees on the train of my gown.

"I swear I never meant to ruin your wedding."
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