heir apartment, the driver gave a polit

er thoughts still tangled with the o

t quietly enter

iving room couch, rubbing her temples

emained standing by the door

d in the car-too risky with the driver nearby-but

tting through the silence. "What were yo

ed by the sudden quest

stepping closer. "I heard you talki

lking about the wedding preparations, dear. Nothing important." Her

gaze steady on her aunt. "Are

darting away before she nodded. "

owed. She wasn't sur

of the conversation. She had only caught

ge left too many gaps, but some

under her breath, repeati

doubt. "Delilah, you don't need to worry about anything. The Donato

all? Because I could've sworn there was mor

's just a lot to prepare for, you know? Weddings, especially one like thi

ut more details or understanding of the full conversation, she couldn't push any

. "Alright then," Delilah said, her voic

-

d everything to

trums, faked sickness,

jured was dismissed,

n her wedding gown, a heavy re

ves, accentuating her sl

sleek and smooth, shimmering faintly un

line, while the fitted silhouette clung to her every curve,

softly around her face, but it did nothing to hi

nce beside her as they prep

lling the church wi

her bouquet of roses tremb

out getting married-n

arriage. She didn't wa

landing on Marco, who stood at th

ome, that much

ly, his tall frame exuding

creep up her cheeks, but she quickly hid it,

herself, trying to shake off the unwanted feelings. ".

reams she'd been having-dreams of Marco, his

em to forget about him, couldn't shak

"One night, that's all I need. But this marriage... it wi

e aisle, arm in arm with Mary,

the sway of her gown, the soft rustl

see her curves properly, he licked his lips, a

ed the altar, the offician

ring at her, his heart

, a desire that had been simmering for

ip, suppress

g but holy as he imagined

could finally have her to himsel

during the prayer, but she felt it-the unmistaka

tly and looked to the sid

oat, attempting nonchalanc

e thought, her mind snapping to

er like that, like she was

away, her ch

the ceremony, guiding them th

ow or forever hold your peace" por

object-they were the only

wasn't here, busy

no guests,

ate, as both Mary an

ions, Marco was ready for them

hispered, eager for the wedding to en

the sound of a loud car engine echoed through t