Salvatore had never loved me.
I had given him everything.
I put him above my own future, above my own pride.
For him, I even defied my father, the Don of the Valente Family.
And in return...
He couldn't even give me a wedding that belonged to me alone.
As I watched him wrap one arm around Bianca's waist while his other hand rested protectively over her swollen belly, the tenderness in his eyes made it hard to breathe.
That look...
It had never once been meant for me.
My love meant nothing to him.
He discarded it without hesitation and trampled over it as though it had never existed.
I was tired.
So unbearably tired.
I couldn't love him anymore.
Just as my parents and the other Families prepared to leave the ballroom, Celia Barone hurried forward and caught my mother's arm.
"Celia," she pleaded, "today is our children's wedding. Surely you don't want every Family here laughing at us."
Vera Barone nodded in agreement.
"Salvatore made a mistake, yes. But that can be dealt with afterward."
"This is a matter between the young people."
"We elders should stay out of it."
My mother gave a quiet, mocking laugh.
"Stay out of it?"
"You expect us to remain here and suffer even greater humiliation?"
"The Valente Family has already lost enough face tonight."
My father remained silent.
He simply looked at me.
The decision was mine.
His expression was calm, but I knew that look.
Once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
Salvatore walked over with Bianca at his side.
His gaze was as cold as ever.
"Have you finished causing trouble?"
"Or are you determined to disgrace both Families before you'll stop?"
I let out a quiet laugh.
Me?
I was the one disgracing our Families?
Bianca stepped forward with reddened eyes.
"Adriana... I'm so sorry."
"I came here today intending only to congratulate you."
She lowered her eyes before gently stroking her stomach.
"I never imagined I'd be carrying Salvatore's child."
"I know I've done something unforgivable."
"I'm willing to accept any punishment."
"But this baby has done nothing wrong."
Her voice trembled as she looked at me.
"I can't let my child grow up without a father."
"Adriana... you've always been kind."
"You wouldn't want to see an innocent child suffer... would you?"
Before I could answer, my mother's voice rang across the room.
"Kind?"
She pointed directly at Bianca.
"You seduced my daughter's fiancé, got yourself pregnant, and now you're standing here pretending to be the victim."
"I've met plenty of shameless people in my life."
"But someone as utterly without dignity as you?"
"That's a first."
Celia Barone immediately reached for my mother's arm again.
"Oh, Celia..."
"Please calm down."
"No matter what happened, the child is innocent."
Then she turned to me with a gentle smile.
"Adriana... don't you agree?"
My mother shook her hand away.
Her voice was sharp enough to cut steel.
"Who are you calling family?"
"My daughter has nothing to do with your son anymore."
She took my hand.
"Adriana."
"We're leaving."
"This marriage is over."
"Let the three of them spend the rest of their lives together."
Celia's smile instantly stiffened.
"The Commission is watching tonight."
"We can't act impulsively."
Then she softened her tone again.
"Adriana..."
"You've always been the sensible one."
"Talk to your mother."
"Don't let every Family here make fools of us."
Salvatore finally spoke.
His voice carried no warmth.
"If you truly love me, then you should accept everything that comes with me."
He glanced toward Bianca's stomach.
"She's carrying my child."
"You should love that child just as much as you love me."
He loosened his collar as though he were the one feeling suffocated.
I stared at him in disbelief.
He actually believed it was my responsibility...
To raise another woman's child.
Vera Barone let out a slow sigh.
"Adriana."
"Celia and I watched you grow up."
"We know what kind of woman you are."
"What's done is done."
"Making a bigger issue out of it won't solve anything."
"The important thing now is finding a way forward."
I met his eyes calmly.
"And what exactly is your solution?"
Without the slightest hesitation, he answered,
"First, you complete the alliance ceremony and become Salvatore's lawful wife."
"The child Bianca carries is Barone blood."
"It must be born."
He smiled as though he were offering me a generous compromise.
"As for the child..."
"You'll raise it yourself."
"You'll be its real mother."
"Bianca will receive a generous settlement."
"After that, she'll disappear from your lives."
