Chapter 7: The Wedding

The day of the wedding arrived far faster than I had anticipated. Everything had moved at a dizzying speed since I agreed to move in with Alessandro. I hadn't had time to process what was happening, much less understand how my life had turned upside down so quickly.

Since my arrival at the villa, Alessandro had maintained a careful physical distance, citing tradition. "We won't share a bed until we're married," he had stated with his usual calm, as though that alone could lighten the absurdity of the situation.

Yet in public, it was a different story. Alessandro seemed to find any excuse to place a hand on the small of my back, brush against my arm, or hold eye contact just a moment too long. These gestures seemed innocent, almost natural, but I knew they were deliberate. I often wondered if he was merely playing his role to make this marriage appear legitimate—or if there was something deeper behind it.

The morning of the wedding, Teresa knocked softly on my door.

"Miss Costa… Pardon, Arianna," she began, her warm smile as comforting as ever. "It's time to get ready."

I dragged myself out of bed, still groggy from sleep. The soft light filtering through the thick curtains made the room feel serene, almost too serene for what was about to happen.

Teresa placed a tray with a light breakfast on the coffee table before turning back to me.

"Alessandro has arranged everything. You won't need to worry about a thing," she said in a reassuring tone, as though sensing the nerves radiating off me.

"Of course," I murmured, mostly to myself.

As Teresa busied herself with my clothes, my eyes landed on my phone sitting on the nightstand. On a sudden impulse, I picked it up and dialed Nina's number.

She answered almost immediately.

"Ari, finally! You're actually answering my calls now?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and surprise.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I'm getting married today."

A silence. Then, incredulously, Nina burst out, "What? You're getting married? To who? Why?"

"It doesn't matter," I said curtly. "I just want you to come."

She paused for a moment, as if trying to process the absurdity of what I'd just said. "Are you sure? After… everything?"

"Yes, Nina. I want you there. I… I need a familiar face."

It was a lie, of course. I didn't need her there. But a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that her presence might help maintain the illusion of normalcy. A friend by my side to make this all seem less like a performance and more like a choice.

"Alright," she finally said. "I'll be there."

The ceremony took place at a grand manor surrounded by meticulously kept gardens. Alessandro had insisted on discretion: only a few close associates and carefully selected friends were invited.

Matteo was there, as always. Quiet and imposing, he stood close to Alessandro, ensuring everything went according to plan. I'd noticed from the start that Matteo wasn't just an employee—he was an ally, someone who protected Alessandro as fiercely as a brother would.

To my surprise, Nina was already there when I stepped out of the car. She greeted me with a wide smile, but something in my gut told me the expression wasn't genuine.

"Ari!" she exclaimed, leaning in to kiss both my cheeks. "You look stunning! Like a real princess."

"Thank you, Nina," I replied flatly.

I knew she was trying to regain my trust, but I couldn't forget what she had done—revealing my pregnancy to Marco without my consent. I wasn't ready to forgive her.

The ceremony itself was swift and formal. When it came time to say "I do," I met Alessandro's gaze.

"Yes," I said, my voice slightly shaky.

Alessandro responded firmly, his tone steady and assured. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in, his warm hand resting on my cheek, and kissed me.

This wasn't a simple kiss for appearances. It was deliberate, slow, and confident, as though he were claiming something. The intensity of the moment caught me off guard, and while I would never admit it, I didn't pull away.

When he finally drew back, my cheeks burned, but Alessandro's expression remained composed, unreadable.

"It's done," he murmured before gently taking my hand and leading me away from the altar.

During the reception dinner, Alessandro sat to my right, his arm casually draped over the back of my chair. Matteo, seated to his left, participated quietly in the conversation but remained ever vigilant. When his phone vibrated, he excused himself, stepping away from the table to take the call.

The empty seat beside Alessandro didn't remain vacant for long. Nina seized the opportunity, sliding into it with an overly bright smile and her characteristic misplaced confidence.

"Alessandro," she began, her eyes glinting with calculated interest. "Finally, I get to meet the man Arianna's told me so much about."

My stomach twisted into knots. I've told her about Alessandro?

Alessandro turned his head slowly toward her, his sharp gaze scrutinizing her like a predator assessing prey.

"And you are?" he asked, his tone polite but distant enough to make her falter.

Nina blinked, then quickly recovered. "Nina," she said with a light laugh. "Arianna's best friend. Or, at least, I used to be."

She glanced at me briefly, her smile syrupy, before focusing all her attention back on Alessandro.

"I have to say, now that I've met you in person, I understand why Ari's been so… quiet about you. A man like you? Impressive."

Her hand brushed his arm—a gesture so blatantly inappropriate that it made my blood boil.

Alessandro lowered his gaze to her hand before calmly removing it, folding his arms across his chest.

"If she's been quiet," he said, his voice cold, "it's because I told her to be. And it's none of your concern."

Nina flushed slightly but attempted to recover with a nervous laugh.

"Oh, I didn't mean to pry! I just wanted to make sure Ari was in good hands. Marco's been so worried about her—"

The mention of Marco froze the air around us. Alessandro set his glass down slowly, his eyes narrowing as he focused on Nina.

"Marco," he repeated, his tone dangerously low.

Nina seemed emboldened, mistaking his interest for something else. "Yes, Marco. You know, her ex. He's been calling me nonstop, worried sick about her. I think he hoped they might…"

"Nina!" I interrupted, my voice trembling with anger. "That's enough."

But Alessandro raised a hand slightly, motioning for me to stay calm. His gaze remained locked on Nina.

"Go on," he said quietly, his tone laced with menace.

Nina hesitated, clearly unsettled by his response. But her arrogance won out.

"Well," she continued with a forced smile, "Marco just wanted to be sure Arianna was okay. Of course, now that I've seen you…" She trailed off, placing her hand on his arm again. "I understand why she's moved on. You're… powerful. Impressive."

This time, Alessandro didn't react immediately. He simply stared at her, his unblinking gaze so intense that Nina eventually withdrew her hand on her own.

"You know," Alessandro began, his voice soft but cutting, "I don't appreciate people speaking about me behind my back. Especially when it involves my wife."

Nina opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off.

"You talk a lot, Nina. Too much, perhaps. Your friend Marco…" He deliberately emphasized the word, making it sound like an insult. "He has no place in Arianna's life. And neither do you."

Nina froze, her smile evaporating.

"I just wanted to—" she started, but Alessandro leaned back slightly, his movements slow and deliberate.

"What? Insert yourself? Make yourself important? Let me be clear. Arianna doesn't need your approval. She doesn't need you. And she certainly doesn't need your friend Marco."

The calm authority in Alessandro's voice left Nina visibly flustered.

"I was just trying to be a good friend…" she mumbled.

"A good friend doesn't reveal secrets that aren't theirs to tell. A good friend doesn't pressure a pregnant woman. So tell me, Nina—are you a good friend?"

The silence that followed was suffocating. Nina looked down, fumbling for a response, but Alessandro didn't give her the chance.

"You should leave," he said finally.

Her head snapped up, her face a mix of shock and indignation. "Leave?"

"Now," he added firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Nina glanced at me, clearly expecting support, but I remained still, my arms crossed. I wasn't about to come to her rescue.

Realizing she was alone, she stood, adjusting her dress dramatically before walking away, her face flushed with embarrassment.

When she was finally gone, Alessandro turned to me, his expression softening slightly.

"Apologies if that ruined your evening," he said simply.

I shook my head, still processing what had just happened.

But deep down, I knew I had never been more relieved to see Nina go.