Page 171 of His Juliet

The rest of the short ceremony happened in a haze. Romeo’s hands tightly held mine, keeping me grounded as we recited our vows. When it was time to exchange rings, Arturo said a blessing over them and held them out for us.

It was only at that moment, as I got ready to slide Romeo’s gold band onto his finger, that I saw it.

“What did you do?” I blurted out, forgetting we were in the middle of our wedding ceremony.

Romeo smirked. “I was wondering how long it would take you to notice.”

I lifted his hand in mine, jaw dropped, because it was now covered in tattoos. Letters on his fingers spelled outangel, and spreading down across his hand and wrist was a large rose. “I got one more, but I’ll have to show that one to you later,” he said with a wink.

“I can’t believe you did this.” My throat tightened as tears threatened to ruin my makeup.

Rough hands cupped my face. “It’s you and me forever, angel. My stellina, my sweetheart. I love you.”

After years and years of not being chosen by foster families, of being isolated and alone, Romeo had permanently marked himself for me. He had chosen me.

“I love you, too.” My words were hoarse and filled with emotion.

Romeo pressed a kiss to my forehead before squeezing my hand. “Now put that ring on me, wife.”

My lips curved in a smile. “Whatever you say, husband.”

I gently pushed it onto his finger, not wanting to aggravate the fresh tattoo. He wasted no time sliding my wedding band on.

“Alright, that’s enough sappiness,” Arturo grumbled. “Now that you have sealed your vows with the exchanging of rings, I pronounce you husband and wife. Romeo, you may kiss your bride.”

My husband pulled me in flush to his body with one arm around my waist and the other caressing my face. His lips met mine, soft and insistent.

Kissing him felt like coming home.

Our guests’ cheers brought me back to reality. Allegra, Sienna, and Sofiya were all wiping their eyes. Angelo let out a whoop, and Queenie’s tail flicked as she sat in Matteo’s arms, looking regal in her crown.

Romeo took my hand and we headed down the aisle. I squealed when our guests started throwing flower petals. In the swirl of flowers and laughter, the world felt absolutely perfect.

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ROMEO

Juliet sparkledunder the string lights, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. She was dancing with Sofiya and Sienna, Queenie in her arms. Her laughter floated through the air, the sound even more captivating than the music.

Matteo came to my side and grasped my shoulder. “I’m happy for you, fratello. You deserve this.”

“Fuck, you really have become sappy.”

He punched me in the shoulder.

Angelo came over and the three of us got to talking. After a couple of minutes, I looked back on the dancefloor, expecting to see Juliet, but she wasn’t there.

My heart pounded with the same panic I always felt now whenever she was out of sight. I scanned the rooftop and could only take a full breath when I saw her standing off to the side with my mom.

My mom, who I’d been avoiding ever since she arrived because I was too ashamed to face her.

I stopped short of where they were talking. I shouldn’t listen in, but fuck, I wasn’t a saint.

“This has been such a beautiful day,” Mamma said. She dabbed her eyes. “I was so surprised when Romeo called to invite me, but so grateful.”

“He wants you here. We both do,” Juliet said.

Mamma hesitated, and I squeezed my eyes shut. I’d pulled away from our relationship for her benefit, but it still killed me.

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