Chapter 15 - The Dress Rehearsal
Two weeks passed. The tension that had choked the Rossi estate evaporated, replaced by the frantic, joyous chaos of wedding preparations.
Camilla stood in the grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel, surrounded by tailors adjusting the long, flowing train of her custom Vera Wang gown. She looked like an angel, her beauty fully restored now that the suffocating fear of the Morettis was gone.
Matteo stood in the doorway, watching her in awe. In their world, marriages were often strategic alliances, cold and loveless. But what he had with Camilla was genuine. They had walked through hell and come out holding hands.
Camilla caught his reflection in the mirror and smiled brightly. She dismissed the tailors and walked over to him, looping her arms around his neck.
"You're not supposed to see the dress before the wedding," she teased.
"I make the rules in this city," Matteo smirked, pulling her flush against him. "And my rule says I can look at my bride whenever I please."
"Julian is doing much better," she said softly, resting her head on his chest. "He asked if he could walk me down the aisle. Since our father is gone."
May you like
Matteo’s eyes softened. "I think that is exactly what he should do."
He kissed her forehead. The nightmare was truly over. The future stretched out before them, unmarred by secrets or extortion.
