The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 02

The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 02

[Valentina’s POV]

Clara couldn’t believe it.

In her eyes, I was the good girl who never pushed back against anything. Let alone flee a wedding.

But being anything less than good meant no one would love me.

My whole life, Vittoria had been the Contini family’s most dazzling Principessa. I had to stand on my tiptoes and strain with everything I had before my parents would spare me a single word of praise, before Dominic would let his gaze rest on me for even a few seconds.

But I didn’t want to be that obedient girl anymore.

The next day, Dominic took me to see the main bedroom layout at the estate. I walked toward the passenger seat, but he pulled me back.

“Silly thing—that’s Vittoria’s seat.”

Vittoria appeared right on cue. Dominic opened the passenger door for her with practiced ease.

“Vittoria wanted to come along and take a look too.”

I climbed into the back seat. Again. In silence.

Inside the sprawling estate, the primary suite’s terrace looked out directly over the Bay of Naples.

Vittoria’s eyes lit up.

“The light in this room is perfect, and the humidity’s just right. My experimental cultures would thrive in here!”

Dominic stood beside her.

“If you like it, this room’s yours permanently.”

“I’ll have the design team in Milan redo it for you.”

I stood in the doorway.

From the engagement to the renovation of the primary suite—Dominic had never once been involved in decisions about our shared home. But now, he and Vittoria stood shoulder to shoulder at the floor-to-ceiling windows, discussing how to design this room together.

Like an actual newlywed couple.

Vittoria turned to me with a playful look. “Valentina, do you mind if I take this room?”

I looked at Dominic. “You know this suite was designated for the Don and Donna?”

His expression didn’t change.

“It’s just a room. It’s not like your things are as particular about their environment as her cultures. Pick one of the others.”

I unclenched my hands. My nails had already broken the skin of my palms.

“Do whatever you want.”

Dominic patted my head. “Good girl.”

Shortly after, the atelier called Dominic. The three gowns for the wedding were ready.

Vittoria linked her arm through mine, warm and familiar.

“Come on, I’ll help you decide.”

She really did seem like a caring older sister.

Halfway through the fitting, Vittoria’s phone rang. She frowned, looking troubled.

“The dress for a charity gala I’m attending fell through. I can’t find a replacement on short notice…”

Dominic surveyed the entire fitting room.

“Then pick one from here.”

The staff brought out over a dozen haute couture pieces, one after another. He shook his head at every single one. Then his gaze landed on the gown I was wearing—the reception dress.

“Vittoria has fair skin. This one suits her better. Let’s give her this one.”

The styling consultant couldn’t help speaking up on my behalf.

“Don Mazzarella, Miss Valentina came in over thirty times for this dress. She personally discussed every detail with the designer.”

“And… no one wears a gown custom-made for someone else’s wedding.”

Dominic glanced at me as if the objection barely registered.

In his mind, this probably wasn’t even a problem. Vittoria needed it, so she’d have it.

I pressed my hand against my chest. The pain there wasn’t as sharp as I’d expected.

I took off the dress and handed it to Vittoria.

“It’s fine. She’ll look beautiful in it.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Dominic’s face before his expression softened.

“Good girl. I’ll stay and help you choose something even better.”

But his eyes had already drifted to Vittoria as she changed into the gown.

He knelt down and personally smoothed every pleat of her hem.

I had fantasized about that exact scene once.

I’d come to this atelier over thirty times. He’d accompanied me exactly once. That day, the styling consultant had laughed and suggested the Don help his future Donna adjust her train—said it would be romantic.

He hadn’t even lifted his head.

“That’s what staff are for. I’m not paying them to do it myself.”

Now I watched his back as he crouched at Vittoria’s feet, and finally understood the price of that fantasy.

I’d always known. Dominic, like everyone else, preferred my sister.

But I couldn’t help loving him anyway.

Because he was the only one who, when my parents called me stupid, would secretly slip me a strawberry candy.

I kept my feelings hidden.

Until he confessed to Vittoria—and she told him her heart belonged only to her career.

He was lost for a long time. And then, out of spite, he confessed to me. Proposed.

I said yes.

I loved art more than anything, but I stayed by his side as his assistant. Tried to mold myself into Vittoria’s shape. Reviewed the family’s hidden ledgers for him, port logistics, shipping manifests.

But I was never Vittoria. And he was never going to love me.

My phone buzzed softly.

[Clara: The pottery studio’s all set up. When are you joining?]

I watched Vittoria slip out of the dress.

Dominic casually grabbed a black gown and held it out to me.

“Hurry up. Vittoria has an event tonight—don’t hold her up.”

“I think this one’s great. Simple, elegant. It suits you.”

Black again. The color I hated most.

I looked down at my phone. Made my decision.

“The day of the wedding. I meant what I said about running.”