Love on the Dotted Line

Chapter 21: Who Knew Marriage Could Be So Complicated?

Dion was sprawled on his bed after a night of clubbing, blissfully unaware that no one at home knew where he was.

"Baby bear, I mean Dion! Get up, you idiot! Don't you want to go to your wedding?" Antonios's voice sliced through the haze of Dion's hangover. The nickname "Baby-bear" was a relic from his childhood, and Antonios sometimes let it slip, much to Dion's annoyance.

"Bro-dad, leave me alone," Dion mumbled, twisting and turning in bed, still half-asleep. He smelled like he'd dived a barrel of whiskey.

"What the hell is that smell, Baby—Dion? Is that whiskey?" Antonios asked, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

"Who's shouting, darling?" Suddenly, the bed sheet next to Dion slipped down, revealing a girl who blinked sleepily up at Antonios before quickly covering herself.

"Dion, who the hell is this? What the fuck are you doing?" Antonios's voice rose, a mix of anger and confusion.

"Who? What?" Dion squinted around, finally noticing the girl. "Who are you? What are you doing in my bed?" he asked, still dazed.

"You brought me here last night. Can't you remember?" the girl replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"Oh, and why are you still here?" Dion shot back, his irritation growing.

"Hey, listen, girl. I don't know who the hell you are, but I'll give you some money if you just leave," Antonios said, his nerves fraying as he struggled to process the chaos.

"Money? You think I'm a prostitute?" the girl retorted, crossing her arms in indignation.

"I don't care who you are! If you don't leave right now, I'll call the cops for trespassing!" Antonios declared, his patience worn thin.

"But he took me here," the girl insists, her voice rising a notch.

"Guess what? This is not his house; this is my house, and I can kick you out anytime I want," Antonios lies smoothly. He's a master of deception, and today is no exception.

"Fine! If you leave the room, I can get dressed and leave," the girl responds, crossing her arms. "And I wouldn't mind that money you mentioned."

"Alright. I'll give you $1,000 if you leave the house in ten seconds," Antonios declares, his confidence soaring.

"Deal!" the girl replies, and Antonios dashes out of the room. He races to grab $1,000 from his stash and rushes back. Miraculously, the girl manages to get dressed in record time, and Antonios doesn't even bother to question her speed. He's just relieved to sneak her out without being seen.

Or so he thinks.

"Mom! Mom! You won't believe this! I think Antonios is having an affair!" Ginna exclaims, bursting into her mom's room.

"What? How do you know?" Katerina asks, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. She lives for gossip, especially juicy bits like this!

"I saw him sneaking a girl out from the back door. She's young enough to be his daughter!" Ginna spills, her tone dramatic.

Katerina beams with delight. "Oh, so he takes after his father!" she chuckles, unable to contain her amusement.

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Finally, the whole family gathers in the wedding hall of a luxury hotel. Katerina scans Grace's side, trying to find any family members, but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. Everyone there is around Grace's age—no relatives, just some friends with youthful faces.