Chapter 5

Chapter 5.

KARMA'S SON.

——♣——

Millicent left the courtyard and sat curled in a corner of the estate, trembling like a leaf. After Angelo's venom threatening words, she had fled the moment she snapped their photo.

Yes, she knew he had changed. But the hate in those blue eyes, the anger, the pain… it was far more than she had ever anticipated.

Ever.

“God, help me out of this pit,” she whispered through clenched teeth, her voice laced with dread.

Just as she looked around, she wasn't sure if she could even stay in the Estate anymore. All she wanted to do was get out. She wanted to run back to her cozy little apartment in Rome. Wanted to escape this suffocating place.

She had always anticipated the day of her wedding, hoped it would be her own day of joy. But… upon realizing she had 3 months left to live, well… she had managed to let go of the idea. And now that she finally had it, she…didn't …want it.

As strange as it sounded, it felt as though it wasn't meant for her. It was her wedding, but somehow , it wasn't… her's .

She couldn't believe it.

This was the day she had hoped for, dreamt of and now, it felt like…. Nothing.

Like it didn't matter.

Like SHE didn't matter.

Even at her own wedding, she felt like a stranger.

No, no, that was wrong.

She had felt like a stranger until Angelo threatened the shit out of her soul, reminding her of who she was.

Her new identity.

“Mrs. De Angelis?” She scoffed.

Perhaps it was payback.

Wait…. What was she even thinking????

Of course it was payback!

And deep down, somehow, she knew… it was just the beginning of her new hell.

Still curled on the ground, whenever she thought of what he said, she couldn't help but rain curses on him.

“Psychopath! Bloody bastard. I can't believe it. He is so petty, he should have been named Karma!” She screamed into the air.

Just as she kept yelling, she felt a sudden tap on her shoulder that startled her.

But to her surprise, she stood and turned around only to meet a familiar face.

Loris.

Her step brother.

Loris Romano.

He stood in front of her, dressed in a navy blue suit.

Among her many stepbrothers, he was one of the few who didn't wear cruelty around like a perfume. Unlike Carlo and Silvio who were nothing but evil jerks, Loris and his triplet brothers were the only Romano sons with warmth and a bit of kindness.

“Loris,” her gloomy face softened into a faint smile. “What are you doing here?”

He gave her a warm smile and shrugged. “I should be the one asking that, big sis. What are you doing out here, yelling at the wind?”

“I… I just needed a moment alone. A little space to clear my head,” she sighed, rubbing her temples. “It's been a lot to take in. Honestly, I didn't even know you'd be here. I didn't think you'd bother showing up for the wedding.” She mumbled.

“Hey, come on,” he said, his voice laced with feigned offense. “Of course I'd show up. Not just me, Lorenzo and Leonardo are here too. We had to cut our vacation short, just for you. Even though father was very much against it,” He rolled his eyes.

Her face lit up. “Wait… Lorenzo and Leonardo are here too?”

“Yes, silly.” Loris chuckled. “We wouldn't miss your wedding for the world.”

A genuine smile formed onto her lips.

The 20 year old triplets… Loris, Leonardo and Lorenzo, were the only Romano brothers with a soul. No matter how much Salvatore tried to turn them against her, they never gave in.

But they were never exactly close, either. Not with how hard their father had worked to keep them apart. And eventually, she'd run away too, strengthen the gap between them.

But the thought that they actually chose to come, against Salvatore's will? It touched a place in her heart.

“Uh… Millicent? You okay?” Loris asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She nodded quickly. “Yeah. I'm okay. And… Thank you. For coming, all of you.”

“You don't have to thank me,” he said, waving it off. “Now come on. Everyone's waiting, it's time for the couples to dance.”

She rolled her eyes. “Can't wait for this whole drama to come to an end.”

Loris slipped his hand from his suit pocket and offered it to her. “Well, if we go now, there's a chance we'll probably wrap it all up early.” He raised a brow suggestively, and gestured toward his open palm.

With a resigned sigh, she placed her hand in his and walked back toward the courtyard in silence, a comforting silence.

As they stepped into the open, her gaze drifted to a far side of the estate. Her father stood there, arms crossed, eyes hard. He was clearly displeased by her earlier disappearance.

Millicent glared back at him and looked away, clearly unbothered.

If anyone had the right to be upset, it was her.

He was the one who forced her into this marriage.

The one who kidnapped Luca.

The one who changed the deal at the last minute.

At the remembrance of everything he had done recently, only one thought came to her mouth and she didn't bother to think twice before mouthing it to Salvatore.

“To hell with you father.”

Just as Millicent tore her gaze away from her father, she found herself facing another person she had no desire to see.

Angelo.

“Let's just get this over with,” she muttered under her breath.

Before she could take another step forward, a man in a black suit stepped up beside her and extended his hand politely.

“If you don’t mind,” he said to Loris who was still holding onto her hand, “I’d like to escort my sister-in-law for her first dance.” the stranger said, pulling her from Loris grip.

Millicent gasped….Sister-in-law?

She blinked in confusion.

Angelo had a brother? And she didn't know about it in the past???

Right on cue, the stranger offered a charming smile. “Name’s Ariel De Angelis. That asshole’s brother,” he said, nodding toward the crowd where Angelo stood.

Then Ariel gave a dramatic little wave to his brother, one that clearly annoyed him.

Across the room, Angelo let out a sharp snort.

The nerve.

“Wow,” Amedeo whistled beside Angelo. “She’s stunning.”

“I know, right? Too bad she’s stuck with Mr. Cold stone over here,” Aurelio added with a smirk.

Angelo glared at both his brothers. “This is business. That’s all. So don’t go about getting any ideas in your heads. She’s just a pawn.”

Amedeo raised an eyebrow. “Damn. Do you hear all that venom, Aurelio?” He asked mockingly.

“Loud and clear,” Aurelio replied, then turned to Angelo. “Look brother, you can say what you want, but she’s still your wife. And if I were you, I’d be mentally preparing myself for the couples first dance.”

Angelo stiffened. “Wait…. Couples first what?”

Aurelio looked at Amedeo, both of them sharing an incredulous expression. “Can you believe this guy?”

“Seriously,” Amedeo laughed. “Why do you think Ariel’s escorting her over to you? Ever heard of a ‘couple’s first dance’?”

“There’s no way I’m dancing with her,” Angelo growled under his breath, careful not to draw attention.

“Then explain that to everyone who’s already watching,” Amedeo said, subtly nodding toward the gathering crowd, “And to your bride, who’s almost here.”

Angelo’s jaw clenched as he turned his eyes toward Millicent who was still walking beside Ariel. His glare burned with hate and something else. A flicker of something warm and… unwanted.

Was that…Desire?

No. Impossible!

It was DEFINITELY hate.

Just as he was trying to convince himself, Millicent caught his gaze and quickly looked away.

Good.

As Ariel and Millicent reached the center of the courtyard, Ariel took a microphone from one of the hosts and addressed the crowd with a charming grin.

“Ciao a tutti, è il momento del primo ballo della coppia. Possiamo tributare loro un applauso?”

(Hello everyone, it's time for the couple’s first dance. Can we give them a round of applause?)

The audience responded with polite cheers.

Ariel led Millicent forward and gently placed her hand into Angelo’s. “Try not to crush her fingers,” he whispered playfully, then winked and stepped back.

A soft hush fell over the room as the violinists began to play "All of Me" by John Legend, the romantic notes flowing into the air.

Millicent dared not look at Angelo.

And he… he wasn’t sure he wanted to stop looking at her.

He sighed.

It was going to be a very long dance. One that would test his self control.