Chapter 55
“I didn’t say anything. Why would you think I’m angry?” I felt my fingers turned icy.
Antonio suddenly felt like a stranger.
We’d navigated his decade–long entrepreneurial journey together, side–by- side.
Now, I was reduced to nothing more than a means to end.
Antonio roared, “What do you mean by that? She’s your sister! Why can’t you show her some concern?”
Swallowing the ache in my chest, I took a deep breath. “She’s not my sister. She’s the bastard child of a mistress.”
His face contorted with rage, “Grace! How dare you speak to Stella like that!
“Apologize to her right now! No wonder your own parents abandoned you!
“No wonder no one likes you.
“You’re repulsive!”
He’d actually used my deepest insecurities against me.
My father’s affair and my mother’s subsequent departure had left me feeling unwanted.
I remembered Antonio rushing to my defense whenever he heard my
Chapter 55
“I have to go into the office for an emergency, so we’ll need to reschedule the wedding photos.
“I was too harsh last night. I apologize.”
He seemed surprised by my ready agreement. “Lots of people get married without a wedding,” he added awkwardly, “We don’t need one either.”
“I understand,” I said slowly.
This wedding would have no certificate, no photos, no officiant, and no bride.
After the call, I focused on work, determined to put Antonio behind me.
I submitted my resignation and arranged a farewell gathering with close colleagues.
In the following days, I contacted my friends, informing them of the cancalled wedding.
Their response were tinged with awkwardness, “Honestly,” one admitted, “we all suspected you two would break upeventually.”
