Chapter 5
Luciano’s face twisted in disbelief. “Trista, what the hell are you doing? Stop being ridiculous. I’m your husband-we literally just had our wedding!”
I tilted my head slightly. “You’ve got it wrong. You held a wedding with Darlene. All I did was
play a couple of silly door games this morning. The one who walked through the ceremony
with you wasn’t me, it was her.”
“I’ve said it a thousand times! Darlene was just stepping in for you. You’re my bride!”
“Yeah? Well, sorry to break it to you, but I don’t need anyone filling in for me at my own
wedding.”
His expression darkened. “So what are you saying?”
I gave him a slow, deliberate smile. “I’m saying we’re done. Over. Finished. And honestly,
Luciano, I should be thanking you. If you hadn’t insisted we wait until after the wedding to
register the marriage, I never would’ve had the chance to choose someone else.”
“So now… I wish you and Darlene a lifetime of happiness. Lots of kids and whatnot.”
I shoved the small envelope into Darlene’s hand.
“Here. My wedding gift to you both.”
She tore it open immediately-and her face fell. “What the hell? 4.04 cents?”
I smiled sweetly. “That’s exactly what you’re worth.”
Her face turned green. “Luciano! I helped her out of the goodness of my heart, and now she’s calling me cheap?!”
Luciano turned to me, voice tight. “Trista, there are guests here. Your side of the family’s watching too. This is not the time to throw a tantrum.”
I crossed my arms. “You mean those distant relatives who barely know me? My parents are gone. The rest of the people here are barely connected to me. The only reason they’re here is because you insisted it’d look pathetic if the guest list was too short.”
Chapter 5
“I had to beg and pay out of pocket just to get half of them to come. Some of them don’t even recognize my face. So what if they saw a scene today? It’s not like I’ll ever see them again.”
Luciano’s jaw clenched, his tone dropping to a warning growl. “You’re the one making this into a scene. We could’ve smoothed this over, but you chose to embarrass me.”
“I’m giving you one last chance. Apologize to Darlene. I’ll pretend none of this happened. If you don’t-don’t even think about stepping foot in our home again. I might have to reevaluate this
relationship.”
I let out a short, sharp laugh. “You couldn’t pay me to come back. But I will drop by-briefly. You see, most of the stuff in that apartment? I paid for it. Now that we’re done, I’m taking
what’s mine.”
I looped my arm through Paul’s and turned my back on him.
“Let’s go, babe. Help me pack.”
We walked out. Shoulders straight, heads high, as Luciano’s face darkened behind us.
“Trista Ayla, you’re really doing this to me? In front of everyone?!”
He stormed after us, Darlene clacking behind him in heels.
“Luciano, don’t waste your time on her! The more you spoil her, the worse her attitude gets.
Just come back in and finish the toasts. We still have so many guests waiting!”
Suddenly, she let out a dramatic cry and stumbled to the floor.
Luciano paused. He looked at me… then back at her. And he turned around to help her up.
Paul and I arrived back at the apartment I once shared with Luciano. I didn’t say a word. I just walked inside and got to work.
Everything I could take, I packed. Everything I couldn’t? I smashed.
I couldn’t stand the thought of Darlene living here, sleeping in the bed I picked out, breathing the air I once thought was mine. If I couldn’t have this place, neither could they.
Once everything was boxed, I took one last look around.
I used to dream about building a life here. Marriage, kids, growing old with Luciano.
Now, it was all dust. This place was never really mine.
Before I left, I sent the $3 million worth engagement ring back to him.
Then I blocked him on every possible platform.
“No point holding on,” Paul said softly. “This place has bad vibes anyway. We’ll have our own
home-better than this one.”
He glanced at me with a boyish grin. “Actually, tomorrow’s the opening day for those new
lakeside villas in Chicago. Want to go check them out?”
I nodded. “Let’s do it.”
“One more question. Would it be alright if I stayed over at your place tonight?”
