Chapter 2

I stared at his back. My blood turned to ice.

Those were my grandmother's candles. On her deathbed, she held my hand and said, "Caterina, every Rossi daughter walks down the aisle with these candles. They will bless you with happiness."

Now they were rotting in some dump.

Because Cara thought it was "too windy on the island."

"You know what those candles meant to me," I said. My voice was a whisper.

Massimo was already at the door. "Caterina, don't get worked up over things. Cara was being practical."

The door closed again.

I stood there, surrounded by those boxes, feeling completely hollowed out.

The next night was the family dinner.

I wore a black gown. I sat in my traditional seat at the long table, to the right of the head. The seat of the future Mrs. Caruso.

But all eyes were on Cara.

She was in a pink, off-the-shoulder dress. A jaw-dropping rope of pearls around her neck.

I knew that necklace. Massimo bought it at an auction in Dublin last month. He said he was there on business.

It was worth millions.

I thought he was saving it for me. For our wedding.

It was for her.

"Everyone, look!" Cara held up a tablet, buzzing with excitement. "I redesigned the wedding decor!"

The screen was a sea of pink.

Pink arches, pink flowers, pink tablecloths, pink chair covers. Even the vases were pink. It looked like a Barbie Dreamhouse birthday party.

"Isn't this a bit…" Massimo's uncle, a Capo from the old guard, started to say.

"A bit what?" Massimo put down his wine glass. His eyes were cold. "Cara worked all week on this."

"It's childish," I said. My first words of the night.

The table went silent. Everyone looked at me.

"This is the wedding of a Don. Not a child's birthday party."

Cara’s eyes instantly welled up. "Caterina... I just wanted to make it more vibrant..." She bit her lip, her voice trembling. "If you don't like it, I can redo..."

"No need," Massimo’s voice was ice. "Cara is our wedding consultant. Her taste is impeccable. Maybe you should take a lesson in being young."

He humiliated me. In front of everyone. I felt my face burn.

"Massimo, this is my wedding."

"It's our wedding," he corrected. "And I invited Cara. You will show her some respect."

"No, no..." Cara suddenly stood up, covering her face. "It's all my fault... I shouldn't have gotten involved in Caterina's wedding..."

She started to pant. "I... I can't breathe... I'm sorry..."

And there it was. The performance.

Massimo shot up from his chair to hold her. "Cara, deep breaths. Look at me." He rubbed her back, his eyes filled with a tenderness I’d never seen him show anyone. Not me. Not even when I fell apart at my own father's funeral. He’d just handed me a tissue.

"It's all my fault..." Cara sobbed into his chest. "I'll leave right now..."

"You're not going anywhere." He held her tighter. Then he turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted? To give a girl a panic attack over your damn wedding colors?"

I watched Cara's perfect performance in Massimo's arms. I saw the quick glance she shot me, checking my reaction. I saw her fingers digging into his shirt, claiming him.

"I didn't do anything to her. I just stated an opinion about my own wedding."

"Your attitude is the problem!" Massimo roared. "Cara has trauma! You know that. Attacking her like this... you might as well put a knife in her back!"

Everyone else at the table just stared down at their steaks. No one dared to speak. No one took my side. No one even thought this was wrong.

"I'm tired," I said, standing up and putting my napkin down. "Enjoy your dinner."

"Caterina," Massimo's uncle finally spoke. "Sit down. Settle this like an adult."

"No need." I glanced at Cara, perfectly nestled in Massimo's arms. "It seems the house already has a new lady."

I turned and walked out.

As I went up the stairs, I heard Cara's sobs get louder. Followed by Massimo's soft reassurances.

"Shh, baby, don't cry," I heard him murmur. "She's just jealous. It's old news."

A sharp pain shot through my heart.

I closed my bedroom door and dialed an encrypted number.

"You once said you’d marry me. Is the offer still on the table? You have two days. Meet me in Sicily."

I hung up.

Just then, Massimo pushed the door open. His tone wasn't as hard as before.

"Still mad, Caterina? I was a little harsh, I know. But you have to understand. She's the daughter of the man who saved my life."

He came over and held me, trying to kiss me like nothing happened. "I know you were just upset. The wedding will be huge. It will be romantic. You’ve been looking forward to this, right? Look, tomorrow Cara and I are going to taste wedding cakes. Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

I looked at his fake sincerity and just felt sick.

If he was going to put Cara first... then fine.

I would give him a wedding day he would never forget.