Page 124 of Sin & Secrets

Then he pushes the door open.

I gasp as I behold what’s inside.

Gone is the California king bed and tastefully plain furniture that had once filled the space.

Instead, there now lies a beautiful nursery. Wood and cream tones warm the entire room. A cradle is covered by a draping, sheer curtain which swoops down from the ceiling. A beautifully ornate rocking chair sits in the corner.

I float inside, scanning the bookshelf as I pass, noting the familiar and unfamiliar titles that reside there. My eyes snag on a particularly worn copy ofBeauty and the Beast, and I pull it from its new home.

“I used to have this exact edition!” I gush excitedly as I open the first page.

There, in blue felt tip, is my childish script, “property of Cassandra Bellini”.

“Your mom brought it with her,” Rocco explains, reaching over my shoulder to trace over my five-year-old handwriting. “I wanted this space to be filled with everything you love.”

I turn to look at him with tears in my eyes. “You’ve done that already.”

His responding kiss is chaste and tender but, nonetheless, sets my heart alight.

“Come on. Let’s get back before they realize we’re missing,” he announces as he takes my hand once more.

When we rejoin the party, most of the guests have gathered in the living room. Donatella seems to have laid out a veritable feast on every available surface.

My heart sings with joy at the happy chatter, the tinkling music in the background, the laughter and teasing as we walk in.

It’s not until we reach the far table and Rocco picks up a glass of champagne, that I realize he’s been dragging me here for a reason.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention.” His voice booms through the room, instantly silencing everyone. “I hope you will join me in a toast to my beautiful Cassandra.”

I flush with embarrassment as everyone around us pulls out a glass, tilts it in my direction, and shouts variations of my name before drinking the amber liquid.

“As many of you know, from the moment Cas came into my life, I was completely awestruck by her beauty and angelic singing voice. But what you might not know is that it was the passionate fire within her that drew me to her.”

I look up at Rocco, somewhat confused. There was no need for speeches today.

“She has a passion, not just for her career and her interests, but for everyone she cares about. She showed me that love was possible, even in the most dire of circumstances. And I knew, at that moment, that my life would be forever changed.”

I glance around our audience nervously. “Rocco,” I whisper.

He just smiles back at me as he sinks down to one knee. Everyone around us gasps, or in Mia’s case, squeals.

“Cassandra Bellini, I can not imagine a future without you. Will you marry me?”

Happy tears crinkle in the corners of my eyes as he retrieves a box from his pocket and opens it to reveal the most beautiful engagement ring I’ve ever seen.

I laugh as I get down on my knee, procuring a nearly identical box.

“Rocco Moretti, willyoumarryme?”

At Rocco’s disbelief, I open the box.

For a second, he frowns at the folded piece of paper wedged within the ring crease. But it fades the second he flattens it out. Instead, he gawks at the picture.

“We’re having a boy? I mean, we kept saying it would be, but…we really are?”

The room erupts around us as Rocco pulls me into his arms. I melt into him. I have never felt more alive than in this very moment.

I’m still laughing when he tugs on my arm urgently.

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