Chapter 2

His words made me freeze where I stood, my fingers closing around the small key he had pressed into my palm.

From somewhere deeper in the villa, one of the old capos called out. "Where is the Don? Father Dominic is waiting to begin the blessing."

Luca turned at the sound, pressing a quick kiss against my cheek before pulling away.

"On my way."

I stood frozen as he disappeared into the crowd, the metal key still warm against my skin.

The man I was supposed to marry had been sneaking around with my twin sister. My brain refused to accept it. It felt impossible and unreal. Like a cruel joke someone was playing on me. How could I have been so blind?

In the main hall, my parents sat at the head table beneath the family crest, satisfaction written across both their faces.

Luca guided Isabella to the center of the room where Father Dominic stood waiting in his ceremonial robes. He handed her a glass of wine, his hand steadying hers when she pretended to stumble slightly in her heels.

He knelt on one knee as Father Dominic began the traditional blessing, his head bowed, every gesture perfectly respectful.

Watching now from the outside, I finally saw what had always been missing between us. There was an ease with Isabella that had never existed with me. Like he had been holding his breath around me for three years and could finally exhale.

My aunt Maria leaned over with a warm smile. "Camilla, your sister chose well. A man who treats his wife like that is rare, even in our world." Then she turned to me. "You should start looking for someone yourself now. Weddings like this always bring good fortune for the single girls."

I returned her smile with fake politeness.

Luca glanced at me briefly before responding.

"Camilla is focused on her career right now. There's no rush."

The guests laughed, delighted by his protectiveness.

One of the older capos clapped him on the shoulder. "Already defending your sister-in-law before the vows are even finished. That is the mark of a true family man."

My father chuckled, shaking his head with amusement. "Camilla has always been the strong one. She is married now, so that chapter is closed. But Isabella is our joy and light. Without her, her mother and I would have nothing left to live for."

The room continued buzzing with conversation, but I stood completely still.

I remembered the day I told them Luca had proposed.

They had been sitting in this same hall, going over shipping manifests. When I announced the engagement, my father barely looked up.

"Handle the arrangements yourself. Your mother and I are too busy to involve ourselves in wedding details."

My mother had nodded absently, already turning back to her paperwork.

Then Isabella had appeared in the doorway, mentioning she wanted to visit the coast for the summer but could not decide between Positano or Portofino.

My father immediately set his work aside, pulling up photos on his phone and debating the merits of each location with genuine enthusiasm. My mother opened her banking app and transferred fifty thousand euros without hesitation.

"Take this for now. If you need more, just call."

I had stood there like a stranger who had wandered into the wrong family's private moment.

That same night, I told Luca about it. He pulled me into his arms, his chin resting on top of my head.

"They don’t know your worth, but I do. You are the most precious thing in my life, Camilla. That is all that matters."

I had believed every word. I had been foolish enough to trust him completely.

Now I knew the truth. There had never been anyone standing beside me at all.

The guests were not blind. They heard the favoritism dripping from every careless word my parents spoke. Pitying glances drifted toward me from around the room.

Across the crowd, Isabella met my eyes. She stood tall and proud. She had no reason to feel ashamed. She had never been me.

The sound of engines roaring to life signaled that the motorcade was preparing to leave for the reception venue.

A hand closed around my wrist. I looked up to find Luca pulling me toward the lead car.

He opened the passenger door and guided me inside, displacing one of my friends who had been about to sit there.

"You have been quiet all day. That is not like you."

My fingers curled against the leather seat. I let myself lie, deliberately softening my voice to mimic the way Isabella always spoke when she wanted something.

"My hair is ruined. I look terrible."

Luca turned to look at me. His face softened, and his mouth curved into a tender smile.

"Such a princess."

Then he lifted his hand and signaled to the entire motorcade.

"Everyone stop. We're not leaving yet."