As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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I stood in front of the mirror, heart pounding, as I took in the sight of myself in the gown that would change everything. A gentle lace design hugged my shoulders, cascading down the bodice with intricate patterns that almost looked like flames—delicate, beautiful, and powerful, a quiet homage to the woman I had become. The skirt flowed gracefully, billowing around me in soft waves that reminded me of clouds; it was classic, timeless, yet unique—just like us. As I took in the moment, a tremor of anticipation ran through me. Today, I would finally become Gabriel’s wife.
“Oh, Chiara,” Fiona sniffled from behind me, her eyes brimming with tears. She held a tissue to her nose, barely holding back her emotion.
“Fiona, stop! You’re going to make her cry too, and then we’ll all be a mess,” Sofia chided, waving her hands as if trying to keep the tears at bay herself. “And we didn’t get all this makeup done just for it to run down our faces now.”
Fiona rolled her eyes, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Don’t worry. The makeup is water-resistant. Besides, if anyone has the right to cry, it’s me—maid of honor privileges, remember?”
Nonna Ava, ever the practical one, just huffed with a faint smile, watching us all with her quiet strength. “Oh, the drama. In my day, we didn't spend so much time crying over weddings. We just walked down the aisle and got married.”
Sofia laughed, reaching out to gently adjust a strand of my hair. “Thank you, Nonna, for the pep talk.”
A knock on the door interrupted us, and Gio’s head poked in, his familiar smirk already in place. “Just here to check that the bride is actually ready and hasn’t backed out. Are we all set, or is there some last-minute meltdown happening?”
I rolled my eyes at him, unable to resist the urge to tease. “Don’t you have a best man duty to tend to, Gio? Or are you just here to critique my dress?”
He grinned, looking me up and down with a soft chuckle. “Well, you don’t look half bad, I suppose. But remember, if my brother runs out of words at the altar, I’m the backup plan. Don’t forget it.”
“Highly unlikely,” I shot back, smirking. “But I’ll keep it in mind, just in case he gets cold feet.”
Fiona placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, her voice soft as she whispered, “Ready?”
I nodded, a deep breath settling the nerves. Fiona and Sofia carefully arranged the veil over my hair, their hands gentle but sure as they transformed me from a girl in a dress to a bride about to walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams. And as they finished, I felt the weight of the veil settle around me, a reminder of how far I’d come, of how every step had led me here.
When the music started, I stepped to the entrance of the aisle, and my heart raced as I looked ahead to where Gabriel stood waiting, every bit as handsome as he’d always been. He was wearing a classic black tuxedo, crisp and tailored perfectly, with a single white rose pinned to his lapel. His dark hair was combed back, and as our eyes met, a faint smile crossed his lips, his blue eyes sparkling with emotions too deep to put into words.
He looked at me like I was his entire world, and in that moment, I knew he was mine.
I felt a gentle hand on my arm, and I looked to see Marco standing beside me, extending his hand with a smile that was both tender and proud. The months since the events in Italy had been a time of slow healing for us; we’d talked, forgiven, and started building something new. While things would never be perfect, today, we had found a peace I hadn’t thought possible.
“You look beautiful, Chiara,” he whispered, his voice steady with emotion. “Are you ready?”
I smiled, squeezing his hand. “I am.”
With Marco guiding me, I stepped forward, feeling every eye on me as I made my way toward Gabriel. Antonio’s kids scattered petals in front of us, their laughter bringing a lightness to the moment. Sofia walked just ahead, her bridesmaid’s dress a soft blush pink that complimented her kind eyes and gentle spirit. Fiona, my maid of honor, wore a deep maroon dress that was both elegant and bold, a perfect match for her strength and loyalty.
On the other side of the altar, Gio stood next to Gabriel, wearing a smirk and a tailored black suit, clearly proud to be the best man, though his eyes darted to me with an amused look as if daring me to trip. Matteo and Antonio flanked him, both wearing grins that were half-amused and half-emotional.
When we finally reached Gabriel, Marco squeezed my hand one last time before letting go, stepping back to take his place. I turned to face Gabriel, meeting his gaze, and everything else faded away. In that moment, it was just us.
Gabriel reached out, taking my hands in his, his voice low and rough with emotion as he began his vows. “Chiara, my tuono, you are my light, my strength, the storm that has brought me back to life. Through every danger, every dark moment, you’ve been there—my partner, my love, my reason. Today, I vow to stand by you, to face every storm and every joy with you. My life is yours, now and forever.”
My breath hitched, a warmth spreading through me as I tried to steady my voice. “Gabriel… from the moment you entered my life, you’ve been my anchor, my love, my heart. I’ve seen you in your strength and your vulnerability, and I love every part of you. Today, I vow to stand beside you, to be your light, your partner, your tuono, through every storm, every joy. Forever, I am yours.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, and Gabriel reached up, gently brushing it away before leaning in. Our first kiss as husband and wife was tender yet full of promise, a slow, lingering moment that felt like a beautiful promise of everything to come. When we finally pulled back, he smiled, brushing his thumb across my cheek as he whispered, “My wife.”
I felt my heart swell, barely managing to reply, “My husband.”
Cheers erupted around us as we turned to face our family and friends, both of us laughing as we took in the joy and pride shining in their faces. Gio, of course, muttered something under his breath, but I caught the glimmer of happiness in his eyes.
Our first dance was a gentle waltz, the two of us swaying in each other’s arms as the world melted away. Gabriel’s hand rested on the small of my back, guiding me through the steps as he whispered soft words against my ear, calling me his love, his heart, his tuono.
As I looked around, I saw everyone’s smiles—Nonna with a handkerchief pressed to her mouth, Antonio with his arm around his kids, Fiona beaming through her tears, Matteo watching with a gentle smile, and Gio standing there, rolling his eyes in playful exasperation.
When the music faded, Gabriel pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and we stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, taking in everything we’d become.
As we looked around the room, I couldn’t help but think back to the beginning, to where we’d started. We’d been forged in the fires of a dark, dangerous world, bound by secrets, passion, and a shared need to survive. But somewhere along the way, those sinful flames had transformed, igniting something pure, something enduring, something that had led us here.
And as I looked up at Gabriel, my husband, I knew that no matter what came next, we’d face it together, side by side, heart to heart—forever.
