The Bride Adrian Couldn’t Keep

Three days before my wedding, Adrian canceled it for the fifty-second time.

He came to the Palermo workshop to approve my gown’s crest embroidery, but the moment I stepped out from the fitting curtain, he snatched up his holster and radio.

“Torino bastards smashed Bianca’s vineyard, surrounded the estate. Lia’s terrified, so I have to go. Tomorrow’s wedding is off.”

Once, I would have stopped him and demanded to know who mattered more to him, me or Bianca. This time, I simply let him go.

Thirty minutes later, Bianca posted an Instagram Story: [You’re the only shelter for me and my daughter.]

The photo showed Adrian holding Bianca close, with Lia in his arms, calling him Dad. They looked like a real family.

My parents sighed. “Seraphina, is the wedding in Hawaii off again? We’ve already sent the invitations to every renowned Italian family. What will this do to the Bellini family’s honor?”

I shook my head, tapping the backup invite. "The wedding goes on.  In three days, I’ll still be a bride. Just not Adrian’s."

At my words, my mom was busy rewriting the invite, my dad breathing easy for the first time in six years. "Nicolo's a good choice. We told you Adrian wasn't worth it. You're finally awake."

I'd hit the wall. It was time to let go.

Adrian called right after I finalized the gown details.

"I pulled some family strings to book that top master chef you’ve been begging to try for months. Meet me at the restaurant noon."

I almost refused, but we needed a clean break for both ourselves and our families.

When I was back, Adrian was already waiting at the door. He tried to reach for my hand. I turned sideways to avoid his touch, walking straight to the restaurant.

He stared at his hand frozen in mid-air, speaking impatiently. “Don’t be childish. Torino struck without warning. Bianca had no one else to turn to. You do remember I swore to protect them after Rico died in that shootout, don’t you?”

I said nothing and sat down, reaching for the custom menu the chef had prepared. He tugged his tie in frustration. "A family lives by its word. I won't break my promise." I kept flipping through the menu, ignoring him.

He waited, and when I stayed silent, he let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, stop being mad. Next time, the wedding comes first. I promised you Sicily’s grandest coronation wedding. I’ll keep it.” But his promises were only for Bianca and Lia. I always stepped back.

The butler entered. "My lady, apologies for the interruption. Miss Bianca has already pre-ordered the dishes that will be served up soon. Would you like to select something else?"

Before I could respond, a familiar voice sounded behind me. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Seraphina. I was just talking to the chef about the menu." Bianca walked in with Lia, sitting down smoothly on Adrian's other side, while Lia wedged herself right between Adrian