pte

asp Dad's arm the moment I step onto the aisle,

ar, his impenetrable gaze fixed on me. He

ke a dream in that suit. If only his surnam

e my father is about to

of her for

then Dad looks at me once more and give

ut not once does he look at me. He just stares straight ahe

ur lawfully wedded wife, from this day f

d

lly wedded husband, from this day forward, as l

d

t this couple should not be joined in holy ma

in drop. It's surprising, considering how many

I now pronounce you husband and w

leaning in to give me a light kiss on the lips. It's hardly passionat

did

es, his cold dem

hrough a blur of flower petals and confetti.

r in newlywed bliss. Instead, I stand by the door

.' Color me shocked,"

bandon you at the altar and embarrass

ng to lighten the mood, Ethan. Forge

mood. I feel a pit in my stomach. I never thought my groom would look so

silence fill the room. If he doe

o space. When will this night end? I wish it were mo

o look at him. Seconds pass, and he still doesn't spe

ut any objections, right? I was half expecting someon

ilent or not, it's still awkward between us. I thought

you're not going to say anything," I say, and just as I turn to leave, he

at's hap

do have somethi

es his eyes and takes a deep breath before looking int

be afraid of me, Chiara. Whatever stories you've heard about me or the Montello family... Our r

I've been warned never to trust any Montel

tronger together too if we give this marriage a chance. It's up to us what we do with our union," he says, and I'm taken aback

that well yet. You can be sentimental too," I joke,

p breath as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Speak your mind, wife. Tell m

take a step back to put some dist

try to keep it in mind as we start ou

when we hear a knock. When Ethan opens it, his fa

o backing out now. Unless we get

king out. You wanted this, Father," Eth

Bianchi," he comments, exhaling deeply. Then he forces a smile at us. He's so different from the

ting," I say, trying to diffuse t

Mr. and Mrs. Montello?" he asks, making me pause. It still hasn't sunk in. I

s impo

ntly squeezes my trembling hand before pl

my beautiful wife to everyone I know. Even if she is a Bi

t overcame me again. It started earlier, and it seem

traction I feel for him now, but that doe

for the rest of the day, let alon

and I spent my wedding reception meeti

ile on her face. "It's so good to finally meet you. I'm Solenn, Ethan's twin sister. I've heard s

rom who?" I as

d, and she laughed softly at my reaction. "I always knew my brother would end up with the most beautiful b

n as she smiled at me, looking for any sign

a lot happier that I married Ethan than most

t nodded. "So, what do you think of Ethan so far? Has he swept you

ne Ethan sweeping anyone off their feet, least o

a secret romantic. I'm sure you'll see that sid

lly, n

, so it's my job to tell you what an amazing husband

ed with hesitation, a

ore honorable. He'll take such good care of you, Chiara. B

enn's words. The idea of Ethan taking care of

prefer to keep our distance," said a sharp-tongued woman w

you wanted to keep your distance, you wouldn't have

iara, this is Katrina. She and I grew up to

end of Ethan's too," added Ka

, even to me, but Katrina didn't seem to care. She stared

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