The entire world was silent.

There was nothing I could say –

Except –

“No.”

The silence was broken by gasps and angry murmurs.

I turned towards everyone out in the pews –

Dario –

Niccolo –

Don Vicari –

Because it was time.

Time to face the music.

Time to finally be a man.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “but I can’t do this.”

116

Caterina

The priest’s words were like an arrow through my heart.

“Have you, Valentino Rosolini, come here to enter into marriage with Isabella Vicari, without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?’”

And then…

Silence.

I stared in shock.

Valentino wasn’t saying anything.

Five seconds went by –

And then suddenly, I heard the voice of the man I loved.

“Sorry… could you say that again?”

The priest sounded pissed. “I said, ‘Have you, Valentino Rosolini, come here to enter into marriage with Isabella Vicari, without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?’”

Then…

More silence.

I held my breath like I was trapped underwater.

Five seconds went by –

Ten –