Page 163 of Milo

And I have faith. Faith in Milo, faith in family, and most importantly, faith in myself.

And so, I'm pressing mute. I'm turning down the volume. I am in control.

Me.

Only me.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as Julia's piercing voice stings my temples.

Now if only I could mute the gaggle of Italian women bickering in front of me.

"She cannot wear the tiara, mamma!" Julia yells, slamming her hand on the table. "She is already wearing your necklace and earrings! She will look cheap! Coco Chanel said when leaving the house, look in the mirror and take something off! Do you want her to look like she robbed a fucking jewelry store?"

"Please Julia do not make me laugh!" Antonia scoffs, giving her daughter a once-over. "You are the last person who should advocate for less is more." She tugs on a piece of Julia's hair. "How many extensions are you wearing, ah?"

"Ow!" Julia whines, swatting her mother's hand away. "You will rip my hair out!"

"I will rip your head off if you continue to argue with me!" Antonia picks up the sparkling tiara with five pear-shaped diamonds interspersed with pearl accents. "It is tradition for all brides to wear the crown, Kiara is no exception!"

Julia crosses her arm, looking down at me. "Why don't we ask Kiara what she wants, hmm?" She casts me a warm smile. "Well? Cara?"

I blink, tightening the white satin robe over my shoulders. "Um, I mean if it's tradition I suppose I should—" I look up to my future mother-in-law. "Wear it?"

"Excellent!" Antonia beams. "You will look marvelous walking down the aisle. All eyes will be on you!"

The noise is back.

"No!" Julia snaps, her eyes widening as she kneels down beside me. "Kiara, you are wearing emeralds already. You cannot mix in diamonds and pearls and rubies. You are not a mutt!"

"A mutt?!" Antonia roars, looking around the room. Her gaze lands on Luisa. "Did she just say mutt? Would a mutt wear a crown? Would they?!"

"Uh—" Luisa clears her throat, unease flashing across her face as she glances at Claudia. "I—uh..."

Oh my God. No. I've had enough. I fake check the time.

"Listen," I say, forcing a smile as I look around the make-shift bridal suite in the east wing of the estate. "I appreciate all your help, I really do, but I think I can finish getting ready myself. Maybe all of you should head downstairs. The guests have probably started to arrive. We wouldn't want to be rude now, would we?"

Julia frowns, scanning my face. "Are you okay, cara? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," I lie, checking my reflection in the vanity mirror. "I'd just like to be alone right now. I will see you all downstairs in half an hour." I nod at the door. "You can go, I'll be fine, I promise."

"Are you sure?" Julia asks, glaring at her mother. "Perhaps I should stay. You will need help getting into your dress."

"Julia," Luisa says in a gentle tone. "Let's go downstairs, yes? Let Kiara have a moment of peace and quiet before her life changes forever."

More noise.

"Fine," Julia says with a forced smile. "We will meet you in the gardens in thirty minutes." She glances at the tiara. "I suppose if anyone could pull off a clusterfuck of gems, it would be you. Wear it if you want."

Antonia leans down and kisses my cheek. "You will look beautiful, Kiara," she whispers. "You were born to wear this crown. It is yours now."

"Thank you," I murmur, my throat drying as Luisa and Claudia both give me a quick hug. "I'll see you all very soon."

When the room clears, I close my eyes, taking several deep breaths, the weight of the crown pressing down on my chest.

The Di Vaio name is not merely a name, it's a title, it carries significance, it holds meaning, it's powerful. The most powerful name in Italy.

And it'll be mine.

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