Chapter 32 Sara

I didn’t want a big celebration. No loud music, no crowds, no spotlight. Just family. Just the people who mattered. So when my aunts, uncles, and Abuela insisted on making dinner to celebrate the marriage, I agreed, on the condition that it stayed small.

Small for my family still meant a full table, laughter, and enough food to feed a small army.

Gabe sat between my uncles, glowing with happiness. He kept sneaking looks at Salvatore like he couldn’t believe he was allowed to sit next to him. And Salvatore… he looked at me the same way he used to back in college. Like I was the only person in the room.

It made my stomach flip in a way I wasn’t ready to admit.

Dinner was warm and loud and full of stories. Abuela cried twice. My aunts teased Salvatore about “finally doing something right.” My uncles grilled him about his cars until he finally stood and said, “Come on, I’ll show you.” Gabe practically flew out of his chair to follow them. I stayed behind with the women, sipping coffee and enjoying the rare moment of peace.

That’s when the front door opened. And in walked a woman I’d never seen before, tall, glossy hair, perfect makeup, heels clicking like she owned the floor beneath her. She didn’t knock. She didn’t greet anyone. She just swept into the room like she was stepping onto a stage.

She looked around the living room, nose wrinkling like she smelled something unpleasant. Then her eyes landed on us—me, my aunts, my Abuela.

“Oh,” she said, voice dripping with disdain. “I didn’t realize the help was allowed to sit.”

My aunts burst out laughing.

Abuela snorted. “Ay, Dios mío, esta niña.”

Letta blinked, confused that no one was intimidated. “You’re sitting in the formal room. You can’t just… lounge here. This is for family.” More laughter.

"I'm sorry who arr you?" I ask though the laughs.

She doubled down. “Violetta. I’m the lady of the house. You answer to me.”

That did it. My Aunt Lucía laughed so hard she had to wipe her eyes. “Oh, sweetheart… no.”

Letta’s face turned red. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

Before I could answer, Roc appeared in the doorway, eyes widening when he saw his sister. “Oh hell,” he muttered under his breath.

He pulled out his phone immediately and typed something fast. A moment later, I heard footsteps, Salvatore’s.

Letta straightened, smoothing her hair, lifting her chin like she was about to greet a king. Salvatore stepped into the room, eyes scanning the space, landing on me first… then on her.

“Violetta,” he said flatly.

She lit up like a Christmas tree. “Salvatore! I was just...”

“Interrupting my family’s dinner,” he finished.

Her smile faltered. My aunts exchanged looks. Abuela crossed herself dramatically.

Salvatore stepped closer to me, placing a hand on my back. “Sara is the lady of this house. Not you.”

Letta’s mouth fell open. Roc winced.

Salvatore turned to me and Gabe. “Why don’t you two show everyone the pool area? Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll handle this.”

His voice was calm. Too calm.

Which meant Letta was in trouble. I took Gabe’s hand as he came running back in, eyes wide with curiosity. “Come on,” I said softly. “Let’s go look around.” As we walked away, I heard Letta sputter, “But...Salvatore...I thought...”

And Salvatore’s voice, low and final, “You thought wrong.”

The drama wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.