Jenna Valentino thought she had found her forever after.
Life was good. A husband she loved, a daughter she adored, a dream job and a beautiful home. But nothing could prepare her for the bittersweet taste of betrayal, shattering the illusion.
Dev...
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~~ Gabriele ~~
* Four Years Earlier *
God, kill me now!
Running my finger along the inside of my collar, trapped air escaped. Wearing a tux was bad but the shirt and tie were the crux of it—my nemesis.
Shit!
I hated these god-damn things. I was slowly being strangled; a noose wouldn't have been this constricting or torturous. But couldn't do much about it now. I'd agreed to attend this damned event for one person only... my Mother.
Casting my eyes skywards, the grey clouds were a precursor to my dipping mood. I was sure this was going to be worse than being dumped a few weeks earlier by the woman who I'd stupidly believed loved me.
Idiot! Let's not head there—it won't change shit!
Shoving my hands in my trouser pockets, I tried not to think about being strangled or my recent open-heart surgery, courtesy of my ex.
Instead, fresh Ideas floated into my haze of thoughts, taunting and presenting opportunities to escape at the earliest opportunity. Any avenue as an option so I could disappear from the damned event of the year and if I was lucky—I pulled one hand free and glanced at my watch. I could make it out alive in around two hours and thirty-six... no, thirty-five minutes.
The damned event I was referring to—my brother's wedding.
Countdown approximately thirty-five minutes. All aboard the elevator heading straight to Hell for the poor creature about to marry him. Therefore, I was stuck wearing this set-up till this freak show was over with.
Now when I said younger brother, I need to clarify. I made my grand entrance into the world first. We're twins, not identical, and sharing the same womb space was the only thing we'd ever had in common. We couldn't be more polar opposites. He was an asshole for starters, and I prided myself on being a half decent human being.
The sound of music caught my attention in the distance. I assumed it was the orchestra warming up to play the wedding march. Christ, I desperately needed a smoke. Glancing around, I could hear people buzzing around, organizing and excited for the circus show to begin.
Dad had insisted it was held here at the family home, anything to show off the estate and drum up some business at the same time.
I had avoided him... my dad, since arriving. Not exactly seeing eye to eye since I dropped out of Law school and wanted to live my life—not his.
Little did I know that living my life would mean being an outcast in my own family because things weren't done that way in the 'Valentino' family—it was Law or nothing as he would often preach.
