Page 66 of Third Degree

“Does she know?” I could barely ask for fear of the answer.

“I didn’t even know it was you until we were on the plane coming here. No, she doesn’t know.”

“I am not asking you to lie to her, but I really want to be the person to tell her.” I felt tears welling in my eyes.

Julian came over to me, and Alex stalked behind him.

I sighed, “I know this must be fucking weird for you guys.” Yup, there the tears were. I thought there was no way that I could possibly produce any more after the number of times I had already cried today, but I was most definitely wrong.

Alex came over to me and gave me a big hug.

“Hey. No one said any of that,” he said through his embrace.

I mumbled something that sounded completely unintelligible.

“We are thrilled Papa found someone who makes him happy. I know that when you hear him out and hear what led up to this moment, then you’ll get it.” Julian wrapped me up in a hug too.

“Plus, you’ll keep him out of our hair. He’s been annoying lately. A lovesick puppy,” Alex mused, and we all laughed except Elio, who gave us all a pointed look.

“Okay, my work here is done. I’m going to bow out of what is most likely going to be an intense reception and get out of here.” Alex gave us all one last hug, followed by Julian and Ricardo.

My dad stood at the door with my mother, who was already rushing in to congratulate me.

“I am so happy this happened,” she whispered in my ear, and I gave her a hug.

“I am sorry for how I was acting,” I admitted, looking down while I felt Elio’s presence from where I stood. He was protectively standing in case they were going to say something, but I shot him a look, and he immediately backed up.

“It’s okay, cara. You should have seen me on my wedding day. I know where you get it from.”

I looked up from my mom and saw my dad in the doorway.

“I think we will be heading out now. Is that alright, Elio?”

Elio just nodded in agreement with what I had just told my father.

“But cara, the reception—”

“No one will even know we are gone, honestly. Just let them keep eating. I am really upset with you, Papa, and what you said to me was really hurtful,” I confessed. My therapist would be proud of me, so I silently patted myself on the back.

“Let’s go, amore. The car is waiting outside,” Elio said, completely ignoring my father as he guided me toward the waiting car.

However, as we reached the front door, Elio stopped me in the doorway, his gaze fixed on me.

“Get that stupid dress off first,” he stated firmly, and I stared at him in disbelief. “You said you hated it,” he protested, his words sounding almost remorseful, as if he had misspoken.

“No, no. I do hate it.” I chuckled. “This dress has a mind of its own, and it’s triple the size of my body. It’s ridiculous. I’ll just be a second,” I added, grabbing the train of the dress and starting to head upstairs.

But as I glanced back, I saw him still standing in the doorframe.

“Wait for me in the car,” I insisted, my voice firm.

“What if they—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” I interrupted, my resolve unwavering. “I don’t need your protection, Elio. I never have, and I don’t need it now. Please, just let me meet you at the car.”

He nodded reluctantly and turned to leave the house, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of his eyes on my back as I climbed the stairs. I refused to let myself cry again, but it felt like I was stepping over the threshold I had yearned for, through the gateway to my long-awaited freedom.

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