And so for ten years, I, who never cared for anything flashy or ornate, always pinned the freshest orange blossom I could find before going to see him.
I stood beside him through his glory days, his tailored suits and black sedans, his meteoric rise through the Valenti ranks.
And my reward was a bullet in the dark and a family in the ground.
This life, I intended to live differently.
I walked faster.
Giulietta rose on her toes and hurried to keep up.
Behind us, the crowd erupted.
The low growl of an engine hammered closer, louder, vibrating through the pavement beneath my feet.
"Serafina!"
A man's voice split the air beside my ear.
My feet stopped. My body turned, stiff as a board.
Dominic Valenti stood tall beside the open door of his black armored SUV, his charcoal suit cut like a weapon, a signet ring catching the light on his right hand. Sharp brows, striking eyes. He was so handsome it almost hurt to look at him.
"Not going to congratulate me on my victory?"
He watched me, expectation written across his face.
Every girl in the crowd turned to stare at me, green with envy.
Once, I would have basked in those looks.
Savored the certainty that I was the only one in Dominic Valenti's heart.
Until I saw with my own eyes what he did for Carmela Valenti.
Then I understood. All that devotion he'd shown me was nothing but a screen to hide the feelings he could never let the world see.
My voice came out flat. "The line of people waiting to congratulate you stretches from one end of Aurelia to the other, Dominic. You won't miss me."
His brow furrowed. "Three years apart, Serafina, and this is what you have to say to me?"
I let my gaze drift across his face, calm as still water. "Oh, one more thing. When you find the time, send our betrothal contract back to the Corsetti family."
Dominic froze.
He stepped away from the vehicle and nearly stumbled on the curb.
"What is that supposed to mean? Explain yourself."
I had no interest in explaining anything to him.
The only thought in my head was to get as far from here as possible.
Girls swarmed around Dominic, closing in like a tide. Two of his soldiers shifted uncomfortably, hands drifting toward their waistbands, unsure whether to hold the crowd or hold their boss together.
I seized the chance and slipped away with Giulietta.
She squeezed my palm. "You don't want him anymore, Serafina?"