We walked away, heading back to the hospital, where Isa was waiting for us.
31
ISA
One month.
That was how long it took for the doctor to clear me, and that was all the time Elio gave me before we married.
I was in Elio’s bedroom—our bedroom—looking at myself in the mirror when a knock sounded.
“Come in,” I said.
Luna and Giulia opened the door, gasping when they caught sight of me.
“Oh my God. You look stunning. Elio is going to lose his shit when he gets a good look at you.”
I smiled at Giulia’s words. “You think so?”
Luna nodded in agreement. “You look beautiful.”
“Both of you look beautiful as well,” I said, and they did. The pale-pink bridesmaid dresses looked amazing on them both.
“We do, don’t we?” Giulia said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Luna and I shared a look and a smile. I had gotten closer to the two of them after getting discharged from the hospital, and they both insisted on visiting me every day at Elio’s house while I recovered.
I didn’t think I ever officially moved into this house. Elio just brought me here, and slowly but surely, all my stuff just startedto show up at random places in the house, as if it had always had a place there before. And more new things showed up every day. An entire new wardrobe one day, a laptop the next, and even jewelry that I was sure cost about as much as most people’s houses.
And before I knew it, the doctor cleared me, and now…
I moved over to the mirror and looked at myself in the off-the-shoulder, white lace, princess-style wedding dress.
I felt like I was living in a fairy tale.
My makeup was kept light, with red lipstick as my only bold choice, and my long, dark hair was tied in a low, loose bun.
I thought I looked beautiful.
Giulia and Luna stood on either side of me. I smiled at them through the reflection in the mirror.
“Are there a lot of people out there?” I asked.
If I had it my way, we would have a small wedding with a few close people around. But Elio, being Massimo’s brother and right-hand man, meant there were a lot of people who would want to attend his wedding.
They would take offense if they weren’t invited.
Giulia nodded. “A good amount for the ceremony. There will be much more later on at the reception.”
Right.
“Come on,” Luna said. “It’s almost time. We don’t want to keep the groom waiting.”
“Yeah, you know how impatient Elio can be.”
I smiled a little at that. Elio was the most patient man I’d ever met, except for when it came to me, hence this rushed wedding.
They helped me down the stairs, ensuring I made it safely without falling flat on my face. Valentino stood at the base, already waiting for me in his dark tux. His hair was slicked back, and his light-brown eyes glowed when he saw me. He looked handsome.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he said, holding his arm out for me. I walked into his tight embrace as Giulia and Luna headed out to the backyard, where the ceremony was to take place, giving us this small moment.
