Page 123 of The Deal

When the door opens, I see it’s my father, flanked by Dante who’s looking very dapper in his tux. Given his similarities to Alexander, it’s a sneak peek at what I can expect when I exit the house and walk down the aisle to marry my future husband.

Just the thought has the nerves taking flight in my stomach.

Dante’s eyes slowly travel down the length of my body, and he lets out a low whistle before his gaze flickers back to my face, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

“My brother hesitated to send me in here, so I promised him I’d be on my best behaviour.”

“You might want to try a little harder,” my father says, chuckling.

“Honestly, I’m just glad he’s found happiness with you,Chlo. I never thought I was the marrying type, but seeing you two together makes me want something like that.”

“I hope you find that one day,” I say.

He nods sharply as he clears his throat. “Thank you for everything you’ve given him. I’ve never seen him happier. He deserves it after what he’s been through. The last one really did a number on him.”

“Sophia?”

“Hmm … her,” he mumbles, clearly unimpressed. “I wish my brother had let my father handle it when the truth came out, but I understand why he didn’t.”

“He did it for his son,” my mother says. When I side-eye her, she adds, “I was around when all that happened. It was a dreadful time.”

I often have to remind myself that she was part of this family years before I came along.

“Anyway,” Dante murmurs, clearing his throat, “Alexander asked me to give you this.” He hands me a small, wrapped gift. He lightly grasps my shoulder, kisses both of my cheeks and then steps back.

“Welcome to the family, little sis.”

My arm is linked through my father’s as we step outside, the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet as we head towards the ceremony that awaits us on the cliff’s edge, overlooking the endless horizon at the rear of Alexander’s father’s estate. The salty breeze brushes my face as the quiet anticipation simmers in my chest.

I’ve sensed Alexander’s mixed emotions since we arrived in Italy. An undercurrent of nostalgia tied more to his past than to this moment. I have no doubt where hisheart lies. He’s made it clear that he’s eager to take me as his bride.

I glance down at the antique ring on my right hand that was carefully wrapped in the small gift Dante had brought me. Delicate and timeless. It belonged to his grandmother before being passed down to his mother. The handwritten note tucked alongside it carried words that made my heart pause:

An heirloom for you to hand down to our daughter.

Alexander xx

It’s more than a ring; it promises a legacy, family, and a future we’re building together.

The sentiment behind it lingers in my mind, and a sigh escapes me as my hand drifts over my flat stomach. I hope to fulfil that wish for him one day.

Alexander asked me to stop taking my birth control a few weeks ago. He’s eager—almost desperate—for us to start a family. I know it’s not just about our future. It’s his lingering fear of Sophia’s return and the thought of her taking Giovanni away from us. It’s as if he’s trying to build a family of our own to solidify everything.

It’s heartbreaking.

That firm, strong, stubborn, and sometimes pigheaded man, at his core, is someone who’s just longing for the love he so freely offers to the people he cares about.

I hope to be that person for him.

As my father and I round the corner, I fill my lungs with air as we pause at the edge of the red carpet that has been laid out for me.

Just ahead, Alexander stands at the arbour we helped build earlier today. The elegantly twisted and painted matteblack wrought iron arches are breathtaking—bold yet graceful. White roses, peonies, and tulle weave through the structure, softening it with a romantic touch. With the stunning backdrop of the sea, it is a spectacular sight.

When Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer,” featuring Celine Dion, begins to play—the song I chose for this moment—Alexander straightens. The instant our eyes meet, he gives me one of his devastating smiles, and my heart overflows with love for him.

As I take my first step, I know I’m walking toward something we both long for. He’s changed my life in ways I could never imagine.

He slips his hands deep into his trouser pockets and rocks back on his feet as his gaze briefly drops to the grass beneath his feet. When he looks up at me again, I catch the glisten in his eyes, and a tight knot forms in my throat.

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