My First, My Last, My Everything

Chapter 43

Gabriella

Everyone stared at me with confusion as I stood up from our table, swaying a bit due to the effects of my drinks. I couldn't tell if it was the alcohol making me act like this or just my emotions taking over.

"What's going on? Sit down!" My mother whispered loudly, tugging at my hand to make me sit.

I scoffed and shook my head at her.

"No! I'm so done listening to everything you say. I won't just sit here and let you ruin my life like this by allowing this to happen!"

The crowd reacted with loud gasps and whispers, but I kept my focus on my mother. My father began to rise from his chair, about to intervene, but I signaled for him to hold on.

"No, Dad. This time, it's my turn to talk." He gave me a stern look but eventually sat back down.

"Am I even your daughter? Do you truly care about me the way I care about you as my parents? Because from where I stand, it seems like you couldn't care less. You've ruined my happiness by arranging this marriage with the man I love, to someone I fucking hate, but unfortunately, she's still a part of our family. Why are you doing this to me?" My frustration poured out in my words.

They exchanged glances, tears glistening in my mom's eyes, but I wasn't falling for that again.

"I won't let you do this. Just because you're family doesn't give you the right to decide who I should love. For once, I've found someone who accepts me as I am, who genuinely cares, and you're just ruining it all by trying to take that away from me!"

"Gabby, you're not thinking clearly, please sit—" My attention snapped to Noah, who spoke up.

"I'm not talking to you!" Another wave of gasps and whispers swept through the crowd.

"So you know what? Keep your stupid title. I'm stepping down from leading and protecting this family. I won't be part of a family that doesn't value my choices or care about me. So, why should I stay here with all of you? I'm done! From now on, I'm living my life on my own terms. I won't be tied to this Mafia or this family."

My parents looked up at me, their surprise and shock mirrored by the onlookers.

I began to walk toward the stage where Anthony and Gloriana stood, frozen since I had yelled out.

"And you, Anthony, if you truly love me, then stop all of this crap and come with me. Let's start anew somewhere far from here." He stared at me, his expression blank.

Gloriana scoffed and pulled away from Anthony.

"Look at you, so pathetic. Trying to steal someone else's fiancé on their engagement night. Shows your true colors, cousin."

Swiftly, I pulled a small knife strapped to my thigh under my dress and hurled it at her, but she dodged, and it embedded itself in the wall.

"Are you crazy? You almost me killed me!" She straightened up, eyeing the knife stuck in the wall.

"Consider yourself lucky to be an Antonio. Otherwise, that knife might have found its mark on your head." She glared, but I turned my attention back to Anthony.

"I loved you, Anthony. I didn't want to let go of everything we had, but I had to because my family kept getting in the way. Now, I'm giving up everything for this chance to fix things. But if you're abandoning us and our love for this life, well, that's on you."

The room was silent as everyone watched, even my supposed family, most of whom had stone-cold expressions, except for Liana and Jeremy, who smiled back. I looked at Anthony and started to back away.

"I'm done." I turned around and headed out of the room, leaving the guests bewildered.

"Gabby wait!" I halted as I heard him call my name.

A smile crept onto my face as I slowly turned to face him.

He handed the ring box to Gloriana and rushed down the stage, jogging toward me.

"Anthony stop!" Gloriana shouted after him, joined by his parents who stood up helplessly.

He reached me and, without a word, pulled me into a kiss, surprising me.

He broke away, smiling, and I couldn't help but smile too, ignoring the protests from all around us.

"Let's get out of here." He held my hand, and we dashed out of the hall, leaving everything behind.

We were finally free.