y's

answer, my stepmother arrived, drag

y set fire to the family name. She was furious I'd ruined her big night-her

up, aimed strai

her wrist

ina's eyes widened in pure sho

ld have taken the slap. The old Abby, the girl who always said y

ce turning purple. "How could you do this to

e heavy with disappointment. "You are still going to marry

heaving, his perfect suit rumpled. It looked like he'd floored it just

ed, "would you

." I was trying so hard to stay calm, to keep my hands from shak

his face turning a blotchy red. He look

ng into that familiar, condescending tone. "Abby, darling, don't say things you'll regret. I don't know what'

at me in stunned silence, probabl

ne had their verdict ready, blaming me for everything." I let my gaze drift from Ni

las f

not like you're out of options." I glanced at Erina, who was trying t

in disbelief. The whole room was lookin

toward me, his hand outst

nched so hard I stumbled back. No. Never. I

ut of this house, but the

ame as if he owned it. He took in the scene-my father's rage, my

drawl. "Seems like I picked a bad time to

ought, my heart hammering.

t have seen the tears welling in my eyes, because he ignored my

uit coat and draped it over my shoulders. His warmth,

?" he asked, his voice

eting his intense gaze.

y mother's necklace-the simple go

t from his hand, its familiar weight a comfort,

as exp

hen are you and Matteo so close? Is this why you humiliated me

ect. He finally had his narrative, his perf

got to say, Mr. Romano is pretty decent. If you're that desperate to cast yours

his outraged performance. "Are you accusing me of ch

ice dropping to a cool, quiet level. I let my gaz

eyes were wide with pure panic. "Have you lost

r, George, exploded. He lunged, roaring in in

r made

directly between us, shielding me with his body. He didn't say a word, just

ger at Matteo's chest.

Sorry, future father-in-law," he said, his voice a low, smooth drawl th