Page 26 of Cherished Union

“Your ma’s going to want to know how bad it is and if the wedding is still going to go ahead.”

I roll my eyes. Christ, it’s not that bad. I’m alive.

But I’ll be keeping Addie close to me when we finally marry in three days’ time. Garrant will be on the warpath, and he’ll try to target anyone who’s close to us. I’ll be damned if he’ll get anywhere near my wife.

CHAPTER9

ADELINA

I’m nervous. Something I didn’t think I would be. But I am. My stomach keeps flipping and nausea rises through me. Today’s the day that I become Mrs. Hayden Gallagher. It’s also a significant day because it means that Vivi and I are free of our parents. The moment I say I do, I no longer have to worry about what they may do to Vivi.

“Breathe, Addie,” Vivi tells me with a smile. “You look beautiful.”

I stare at myself in the mirror, unable to quite comprehend that it’s me who’s staring back. The white dress fits perfectly. It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It’s an off the shoulder gown, with a good length train that’s not over the top. The lace makes the dress seem more feminine, more fragile. It’s stunning, and I can’t believe that it’s mine.

“She’s right, Ade, you are seriously beautiful. My brother is a lucky man,” Jade tells me with a smile.

The bruises are hidden beneath the makeup, and my ribs are slowly getting better. I’m able to walk without them hurting, but if I do anything strenuous or laugh, then I’m in pain. Thankfully, this is a wedding, and I won’t have to worry about that.

Until this evening, when Hayden and I are alone. I tense at the thought of what’s going to happen. Things between us are weird. One minute he’s sweet as hell and other times he just stares at me like I’m nobody.

“Can Rocco not walk you down the aisle?” she asks once Jade attaches the veil to my hair.

Another reason as to why I’m anxious as hell. Due to our traditions, my father has to walk me down the aisle, something I’m not happy about, and neither is Vivi. The past week since we’ve been at Elio’s, we’ve grown closer. We talk about everything, and she’s worried that he’s going to hurt me. Nothing I say will make her see otherwise.

“Wait, what?” Jade says, a furrow between her brow. “What are you talking about?”

I sigh as I turn to face her. “As per our traditions, the bride is to be walked down the aisle by her father. There’s no way around it today, Jade,” I say softly. “It’ll be fine. He’ll be waiting by the door to the church and then he’ll walk me down the aisle.”

She shakes her head, her gaze moving between Vivi and I. “Hell no, that’s not going to happen.” She reaches for her cell, no doubt going to call either my brother or hers.

“Jade,” I say calmly. She turns to look at me. “If he doesn’t walk me down the aisle, there will be talk, and there will be questions. It’ll be seen as an insult.”

She worries her lip between her teeth. “No,” she says and calls my brother.

I sigh and take a seat on the couch, my glass of champagne still on the table untouched. I can’t bring myself to drink it. The way my stomach is going, I’ll end up throwing it up. That’s not a good look, especially as my makeup is done perfectly and I don’t want to ruin it.

It doesn’t take my brothers five minutes before they barge into the room. “What the hell is going on?” Elio demands. Since he found me being beaten, he’s become my protector, and I can’t deny how good it feels to have someone be that person for me.

“Your father is walking Ade down the aisle,” Jade hisses in disgust.

“Fuck no,” Dario replies instantly, his hand slashing through the air. “Not going to happen, not now, not fucking ever.”

They begin to argue among themselves, and I sigh. God, one day without having to listen to this bullshit would be good.

“Okay,” I say loud enough for everyone to hear, and thankfully, they all shut up. “Now, you all made the decision that life would go on as normal,” I begin. I’m not angry at what they’re planning; I’m just disappointed that they didn’t foresee that this was going to happen. “This means that he’ll have to walk me down the aisle. It’ll be seen as disrespectful. It will cause the famiglia made men to be pissed, and that’ll start a war.”

Elio shakes his head. “Don’t give a fuck. You’re not walking into the church with him.”

“Listen,” I tell him. “I get it. Believe me, I, of all people, don’t want this to happen, but we have no choice. The plan was made, and it’s set in motion. So today, I’ll walk down the aisle with him arm in arm, and then I’ll have the father daughter dance with him. After that, I’m done.”

Guilt flashes in Rocco’s eyes. He’s the one who wanted this arrangement and now he’s regretting it.

“I’m sorry, Ade,” he whispers as he crouches down in front of me. “I didn’t even think about the wedding and what you’d have to do.”

“Yeah, because it’s all about you,” Vivi snaps.

“Vivi,” I whisper. Although, I’m not shocked by her outburst. She’s been feeling this way since the deal with Hayden was made.

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