Valentina De Luca
Endless greetings, disguised smiles, envy, new alliances, my mother-in-law’s hatred, Alessa’s fury, and my father’s satisfaction. So far, those are the defining characteristics of the expected engagement dinner, and all I feel is my heart suspended in my chest, waiting for the second everything could collapse.
While we descended the staircase, Lorenzo squeezed my hand in an almost oppressive grip, urging me to become who I need to be—but cannot, in Dante’s eyes. At the last step, Fiamma welcomed him with a kiss on the cheek, and the Don received me before handing me over to my father in a clear display of hierarchy.
With no choice, I endure the arrogant whispers coming from the De Luca family, all impressed by my composure and how well I’ve been trained for my upcoming
