Wanna Die for Love? Go

I strolled into the hall, swinging my bag like I had all the time in the world. Onstage, the couple had just swapped rings.

People near the aisle froze. Then came the whispers.

"Vanessa? What's she doing here?"

"Wait... wasn't this supposed to be Vanessa and Dario's wedding?"

"If she's here—who the hell's the bride up there?"

Every head turned. Especially the Morellos in the front row.

Alfonso, Dario's dad, shot to his feet, face turning stormy. "What is this? Vanessa was supposed to marry into our family. Who's on stage?"

Beatrice, Dario's mother, didn't wait. She stormed the altar and ripped off the bride's veil.

Gasps. Everywhere.

"Isn't that the adopted daughter from the Venier family?"

"Seriously? Did they just pull a sister swap?"

"But only Vanessa has the fertility gene, right? Serena's useless."

Serena's face went full panic.

Dario squeezed her hand, gave her a look like 'don't worry', then stepped in front of his parents.

"Dad, Mom, I love Serena. I'm not marrying anyone else. That curse? I don't buy it. All our guys had kids."

Alfonso slammed his cane down. "You think that was luck? They married women with the gene! Your twenty-fifth birthday's tomorrow. Stop this nonsense!"

Beatrice's eyes welled up. "We never lied. I have the gene too—that's why I married your father. Being a Morello means love isn't part of the deal."

Dario stood firm. "I'd rather die than be some emotionless puppet stuck with someone I don't love."

I stayed quiet, watching him.

So, he came back too.

And just like me, he made the same call—never again.

Alfonso's glare shifted to me. "So this was your plan, Vanessa? You let your adopted sister play us? Your whole family must be out of their minds. Either explain yourself, or don't expect to stay in Santria."

My mom rushed over, grabbed my arm, and shoved me toward the Morellos, all smiles like nothing was on fire.

"Vanessa, I know you weren't thrilled about the marriage and talked Serena into stepping in, but go ahead—apologize to Alfonso and Beatrice."