Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Adrian showed up at our house with his bodyguards and several bags of breakfast.

My father couldn't stop telling Adrian how thoughtful he was.

My mother immediately knocked on my door.

"Adrian was up dealing with Vitale family business in the middle of the night, and he still managed to get here early. And you're still in bed?"

I got dressed and glanced at the closed door across the hall. "Vivian isn't up either."

My mother scoffed. "You think you can compare yourself to her? Vivian shoots late at night and works out during the day. Of course she needs her sleep."

When I was a teenager, what I dreaded most was hearing people compare me to my sister.

Later, I realized that in my parents' eyes, I wasn't even worth comparing to her.

Once the food was laid out, Vivian finally came out in her nightgown and sat down next to Adrian like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I pulled out the chair across from them, same as always.

Adrian handed my sister a glass of warm water first, then opened the containers one by one.

"Your favorite blueberry muffins, and cinnamon rolls from that place on the corner by our old school. I know you're watching your calories, so I got you a salad, a low-calorie sandwich, and an oat milk latte too."

Last, he opened a paper bag, and a warm, sweet scent drifted out.

"And maple waffles."

Vivian's eyes lit up. "It's all my favorites!"

She propped her chin on her hand and smiled at Adrian.

"What am I supposed to do with all this?"

"Who knows when you'll be back in New York? I have to feed you while I've got the chance."

That was when I understood. He hadn't gotten up early for me.

The sweet smell of the muffins drifted toward me, and I thought of the corner café we used to go to after school.

I drank black coffee with no sugar.

My sister always got hot chocolate.

When we bought bagels, I only ever got sea salt. She loved cinnamon raisin.

Adrian used to tease me for not liking sweets, saying I didn't act like a girl at all.

He remembered. He knew.

Yet even after buying enough breakfast to fill the table, he hadn't thought to bring me anything.

My stomach ached with hunger, so I picked up the closest sandwich.

I'd barely torn the wrapper when Vivian looked over.

"Ivy, that avocado sandwich of yours looks good."

I knew that smile too well. She looked at me like that every time she wanted something of mine.

I pushed the sandwich across. "Here."

Nothing on that table had been bought for me anyway.

I got up, still hungry, but Adrian stopped me.

"Vivian wants to go to St. Barts. Let's skip the Amalfi Coast for the honeymoon and go somewhere else."

Only then did it occur to him to ask me.

"What do you think?"

My mother answered for me.

"Of course it's fine. Ivy's never been anywhere. She'll just tag along with you two."

Vivian came over and threw an arm around my shoulders.

"I was going to go by myself, but they insisted we all go together as a family."

She tilted her head at me.

"If it makes you unhappy, I won't go."

The room went silent, and every eye bore down on me.

If I said it made me unhappy, I'd be the one who ruined the mood.

I met their eyes and nodded. "Sure."

I'd already picked where I was going anyway.

The plans for a honeymoon that would never happen didn't matter to me.