No Longer Waiting for You

Dario Catania frowned.

“We’ve been together for eight years. I know better than anyone how long you’ve been dreaming of this wedding. Are you seriously willing to throw our whole marriage away just because you have to wait a few extra minutes to change into your dress?”

He was completely convinced that I’d never actually walk away from our relationship. He even adopted a patronizing, self-righteous tone, acting as if he were only looking out for me.

“Erin Morettia, don’t let a moment of impulse ruin the rest of your life.”

Just then, the wedding coordinator rushed over, holding a walkie-talkie and looking frantic.

“The ceremony starts in twenty minutes! Miss Erin, why haven’t you changed into your dress yet?”

Dario held up a hand, cutting her off. “The person inside just fell asleep. Don’t wake her up.”

The makeup artist shifted nervously from foot to foot. “Full hair and makeup takes at least thirty minutes! Not to mention, the back of the wedding dress has over twenty pearl buttons. If we wait any longer, there won’t even be time to do her hair!”

Without a second thought, Dario shrugged it off.

“Then skip the hair. Just fasten a few of the pearl buttons. As long as nothing slips out, it's fine. No one’s going to be staring at her back anyway.”

I was so angry that I almost burst out laughing.

“Why do I have to be the one to compromise? The estate has so many empty guest rooms. Why can’t Sofia go sleep in one of those?”

“Because she’s already asleep right now,” Dario answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Sofia suffers from severe angina. If she’s suddenly startled awake, it could trigger a heart attack.”

My father stepped forward, suppressing his surging anger as he pressed Dario for an answer.

“Who is actually getting married today?”

“Erin and I are,” Dario replied smoothly.

“Then hurry up and unlock that door!”

Even my mother, who was usually the picture of elegance, couldn't hide her growing anxiety. Still, she tried to reason with him patiently. “Dario, we don’t even have to go inside. Just open the door an inch so Erin can grab her things.”

Dario shut her down without hesitation. “No. The moment the door opens, she’ll wake up.”

Mom unconsciously clenched her fists so hard that her manicured nails dug deep into her palms.

She had spent nearly three months planning this day just to give me a wedding I’d remember for the rest of my life. And now, it was all being ruined by someone who had taken over her daughter’s bridal suite.

With only twenty minutes left, the photographer whispered a reminder.

“It looks like we won’t have time for the bridal robe photos or the first look. The remaining time is only enough for a quick family portrait.”

Dario immediately barked an order. “Cut those two photoshoots, and we’ll take the family portraits after the ceremony.”

Hearing that, Dad stumbled, almost losing his balance.

In order to look his absolute best at my wedding, he had been getting up early every day to work out for the past six months. He’d even given up drinking entirely. Over the last month, he had gone through dozens of custom-tailored suits just to pick out the perfect one.

He had been so excited to share this moment with me. Yet now, he was being told that all of it was for nothing.

Every single photo shoot had been canceled.

My eyes stung, and tears threatened to spill.

“No. Not a single part of today’s schedule is getting cut.”

Hearing this, Dario’s face instantly darkened. He was just about to say something, but my best friend Lucy beat him to it and knocked directly on the door.

“Sofia, please get up and open the door!”

She hadn't even knocked twice before Dario grabbed her arm and shoved her back.

“Stop knocking!”

Lucy stumbled, turning bright red with rage.

“Erin is the bride today!”

“She’s throwing a fit, and you’re enabling her?” Dario snapped at her furiously.

Static buzzed from the walkie-talkie as the wedding coordinator’s voice came through again, asking urgently, “Everything is in place. The pastor needs to know if the bride can walk down the aisle on time.”

Dario spoke into the mic, replying coolly, “Tell him the bride is feeling overly emotional. Delay the schedule by ten minutes.”