Chapter 1
On my wedding day, my best friend, Bianca, hid my wedding dress.
My fiancé, Lorenzo, searched everywhere but couldn’t find it.
With the ceremony minutes away, I told her to give it back.
She only shrugged. “Lorenzo! You’re not taking Serena from me that easily. Keep looking!”
Lorenzo laughed. “Still trying to beat me when it comes to Serena after all these years?”
Then he turned to me.
“See what your best friend is putting me through? This time, I’m finding that dress myself. I’m finally going to win one against her.”
Listening to them, I grew more anxious by the second.
“Stop fooling around. We’re going to miss the ceremony.”
Lorenzo didn’t seem concerned.
“A few minutes won’t make a difference. And this time, you’re not allowed to take her side.”
Bianca scoffed. “If you can’t find it, I’m not letting you marry Serena.”
Then the two of them ignored my protests and started bickering and teasing each other, just like they always did.
Here we go again.
I glanced at my phone.
Only five minutes remained before the ceremony, but a message suddenly lit up the screen.
[If you change your mind, come outside. I’m waiting at the east entrance of the church.]
The message was from Marcello Ferrante, the man who had been in love with me for years.
He was the Don of the Ferrante family—and the man who ruled the East Coast underworld.
I replied:
[Give me five more minutes.]
His answer came almost instantly.
[All right.]
If this farce wasn’t over in five minutes, I would leave this church with a different groom.
I was done playing along with their ridiculous wedding game.
When I put my phone down, the two of them were still at it.
I walked over to Bianca. “Where is my dress? Give it back.”
She froze for a moment, then smiled.
“Lorenzo hasn’t found it yet. I can’t give it up that easily.”
“If he can’t even find your wedding dress, how am I supposed to trust him with you?”
I ignored her excuse and looked directly at Lorenzo.
“Lorenzo, the ceremony starts in five minutes.”
“I know.”
He reached over and ruffled my hair as if I were a child.
“As soon as I find the dress, we’ll start. Just wait a little longer, Serena.”
Bianca pinched him.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying our Serena is desperate to marry you?”
“You should be grateful she agreed to marry you at all. Keep looking. If you can’t find it, admit defeat.”
Lorenzo tugged at the bow on her wrap with an indulgent smile.
“Don’t get cocky. Even if it takes until nightfall, I’m finding it myself.”
Then he went back to searching through the cabinets in the bridal suite.
Bianca deliberately got in his way, and Lorenzo never once lost his temper with her.
I stared at their backs, my nose stinging.
They had always turned loving me into a competition.
I had believed marriage would change things.
At least, I had believed that until today.
Now I finally understood how wrong I had been.
I raised my voice.
“Bianca, give me the dress. The game is over. I’m getting married today.”
My tone left no room for argument.
But Bianca looked at Lorenzo with wounded eyes.
“Is Serena mad? Maybe I should just give it back and end the game.”
“But you have to admit you lost. I’m only letting you off because Serena asked.”
Lorenzo glanced at her, then at me, his tone turning cold.
“Admit defeat? That phrase isn’t in my vocabulary. No matter what, I’m finding it.”
One of Lorenzo’s groomsmen tried to smooth things over.
“Serena, you know how they are. They always have to settle who wins. Just be patient a little longer.”
“Exactly. Lorenzo’s still marrying you. It’s not like anyone’s taking him away.”
…
Just then, the wedding coordinator pushed open the door. Seeing me still dressed in a white silk robe, he immediately urged,
“Miss Valenti, why aren’t you in your gown yet? The ceremony is about to begin.”
I said calmly, “It’s fine. Even if I have to go in wearing this, I’ll be there on time.”
Impatience crossed Lorenzo’s face.
“Serena, stop making a scene, okay?”
“I’m not making a scene.”
I was simply planning to replace the groom.