Giana
A soft chime from the foyer announced his arrival.
Franco swept in, carrying an enormous bouquet of red roses. He was in a custom-tailored suit, his smile perfectly white, perfectly practiced.
"Gia, my love," he murmured, his voice polished, gentle. A tone that used to make my knees weak. Now, it just made my stomach churn.
"You won't believe the meeting I just had with the Commission. They're eating out of the palm of my hand."
He placed the roses on the marble counter and came towards me, his eyes scanning the room before landing on my face. He leaned in to kiss me.
I turned my head slightly, letting his lips brush my cheek.
He didn't notice my withdrawal.
"That's wonderful," I said, my voice flat.
"It's magnificent, Gia. This is our future." He took my hand. "This wedding is going to be the event of the decade. The Boss is pleased."
I looked into his eyes. They were brown. Empty of anything real.
"Franco," I asked, studying his face for a crack. "Do you really mean the vows we're about to make?"
He blinked. A flicker of annoyance, then his composure returned. "Gia, why are you being so dramatic? Of course. You are my life."
"Am I?"
"You're just stressed," he waved a dismissive hand. "Come on, I have a surprise. The jeweler called."
The drive to the Diamond District was in the Maserati. One hand on the wheel, the other on my thigh. It took every ounce of strength not to push it away.
The family-owned jewelry store was a fortress in the Diamond District. We were led to a private viewing room.
The jeweler emerged with a velvet box.
"Mr. Moretti, Miss Vitielo," he bowed slightly. "As requested. A custom design."
He opened the box.
Inside lay a pink diamond, surrounded by a halo of smaller white diamonds. It was gaudy. Ostentatious. Everything I hated. But Franco insisted he knew my taste.
"A pink diamond," Franco announced, puffing up his chest. "One of a kind. Just like you, Gia. I told them, 'Find me a stone no other woman in New York has.'"
He picked up the ring and slid it onto my finger.
It felt cold. Heavy. Like a shackle.
"It symbolizes the unique bond between us," he said, looking at me expectantly.
Tears pricked my eyes.
Not from joy. From the sheer pathetic tragedy of it all. That I'd ever been fooled by his hollow gestures.
Franco's face broke into a wide grin, a smug satisfaction settling over his features. "I knew you'd be moved."
He reached out and wiped the tear from my cheek, mistaking my rage for joy.
He didn't know that two hours ago, I'd checked Camilla's private Instagram. She'd posted a photo of her manicured hand gripping a steering wheel.
On her finger was a pink diamond, surrounded by a halo of smaller white diamonds.
The caption read: He said our love was tailor-made. Just for me.
In the background of the photo, blurred but unmistakable, was the jeweler's receipt.
Two rings. Quantity: 2.
He hadn't just cheated on me. He'd mass-produced our engagement. Bought us matching outfits like we were livestock he was branding.
I looked down at the ring, and felt only nausea.
"It's beautiful, Franco," I whispered, fighting the urge to vomit. "Truly... unforgettable."
