Page 69 of Devil's Tulip

After she leaves, Mrs. Monti picks up the garment bag from the bed and takes my dress out. And for the first time, I see the full thing.

It’s a short, white dress that will fall right below my knees. The bodice is corseted, with thick shoulder straps and a delicate, sparkly belt around the waist—gorgeous. And even though I didn’t choose it and this isn't a real wedding,I love it. Since the ceremony is taking place at the back of Michael’s house for reasons only he knows, he’s included a pair of white strappy sandals to match.

With Mrs. Monti’s help, I slip into the dress, then put on my new diamond earrings. She carefully fixes the veil Elira lent me into my hair, and just like that, we’re done.

It’s a casual look but at the same time elegant. Perfect.

“Michael will swallow his tongue when he sees you,” she murmurs. Andshit, my heart flutters at the thought.No. No fluttering, heart.

I clear my throat. “Thank you, Mrs. Monti.”

She hesitates briefly, then, “Are you sure you don’t want me to do some makeup for you? Even something light to cover up those bruises?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s fine.” I want them visible. A reminder of what Dario did to me.

She sighs but lets it go, and together, we walk out of my room and down the hallway.

As we descend the stairs, I thank her again. I don’t know what I would have done yesterday and today without her kindness.

“No, thankyou. There’s a new light in Michael’s eyes, and I know it’s because of you. So thankyou.” Then she wags a finger at me. “And for the love of God, call me Gracie.”

I don’t believe a damn word about any light in Michael’s eyes, but I smile softly anyway. “Thank you... Gracie.”

Outside, a golf-cart-style car is waiting for us. The man in the driver’s seat nods as we get in, then drives us around the back of the house, past a small garden shed, and the moment I see where we’re heading, my breath catches.

So this is why he chose this spot.

Just beyond the house, a row of towering palm trees lines the white shores of a pretty beach. And there beneath them stands Michael in a tux, looking effortlessly dashing as he waits for me.

His gaze arrests mine, and my heart starts pounding as the car pulls to a stop. I can’t look away. Not as I step out. Not as I whisper to Mrs. Mon–Gracie to walk with me.

Not as I get closer and closer.

Sweat trickles down my spine. My heart pounds harder. Then, just before we get under the broad leaves of the palm tree, he moves forward and gently takes my hand from Gracie’s.

“You look stunning as always, Gianna.” His smile is slow, warm, and for a brief moment, I forget how to breathe. Damn him for being so hot.He tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow and leads me the rest of the way under the trees.

That’s when I finally notice the other people waiting there.

Elira stands next to a tall man who has his arm slung possessively around her waist—Maximo, I assume. Another man, dressed in crisp black, stands beside them. Michael introduces him as the clergyman officiating the ceremony, but my nerves drown out most of his words.

My throat goes dry as the man goes straight to the point.

“Are you here of your own free will?” he asks me.

“Yes,” I answer with a nod.

“Good.” He picks up a briefcase I hadn’t even realized was there, takes out a pair of documents, and then right there in the windy morning, we sign the marriage licenses.

Maximo and Elira sign as our witnesses. Then the man folds the documents neatly, clears his throat, and declares, “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Oh shit.

I swallow hard as Michael's arms drape around my back, and with the slightest pressure, turns me to face him. Those electric blue eyes search mine as his head slowly lowers.

And then… A kiss. Closed-mouthed. Chaste. Nothing like the fiery, consuming one we’ve shared before. But it doesn’t stop my heart from going into overdrive and my core from clenching.

Everything after that becomes a blur.

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