The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 03

The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 03

[Valentina’s POV]

That evening, Dominic drove me back to the Contini estate for dinner.

As the car pulled through the gates, it finally hit me.

Today was mine and Vittoria’s twenty-seventh birthday.

A single cake sat in the center of the dining table.

Dominic said, “You two were born on the same day. One cake to share—isn’t that sweet?”

The cake was beautiful. Its surface was covered in crushed nuts.

Vittoria loved the toasted aroma of nuts. I was allergic to them.

But no one seemed to notice anything wrong.

Dominic leaned down to light the candles, then placed the birthday crown on my sister’s head without thinking.

“Vittoria, make your wish first.”

I stared at the nut-covered cake. At the crown on her head. At the gentle smile on Dominic’s face.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Dominic. You’ve always gotten two of everything before. Why is there only one birthday cake?”

“And why am I always the last one to choose?”

The dining room went quiet for a beat.

Dominic frowned.

“It’s been like this for years. What’s gotten into you today?”

Mamma shot me a glare.

“She’s the older sister. And she’s always been better than you. If you were half as accomplished as her, maybe we’d let you blow out the candles first!”

The words dried up in my throat.

The whole family sang happy birthday to her.

When my turn came, the candles had nearly burned down to nothing.

Dominic glanced at me.

“A wish is a wish no matter when you make it. We’ll make up for it next year.”

Next year. Always next year.

Twenty years, and that next year never came.

I sat quietly and watched them divide the cake. Somehow the conversation drifted to the wedding.

Mamma suddenly turned to me. “How are the wedding preparations going?”

I opened my mouth, but she’d already pivoted to Dominic.

“Don Mazzarella, I heard quite a few guests from the southern trade council and the port alliance families will be attending.”

“Vittoria’s latest product is ready to go commercial. Why not use the wedding as a launch event?”

Dominic didn’t hesitate. Smiled and nodded.

“No problem. We’ll cut the opening segment—the one recapping our love story. Let Vittoria do her product introduction instead.”

Vittoria laughed. “You don’t have to cut anything. I’ll only take a few minutes. It won’t disrupt your wedding.”

Dominic looked at her with complete sincerity. “No, that won’t do. Don’t worry—I’ll handle the arrangements.”

They discussed it enthusiastically.

My wedding—turned into a sales presentation.

And the most absurd part? From start to finish, not a single person asked for my opinion.

Good thing this wedding was never going to happen.

The air in the dining room grew heavier by the minute.

I turned and went upstairs to my room.

They stayed in the living room. Waiting together for the results of some national competition Vittoria had entered.

In my bedroom, I packed my bags in silence.

There wasn’t much worth taking, really.

I pulled a single sketchbook from the back of my deepest drawer.

Watercolors and pencil sketches from when I was little.

Everything I’d loved most—and abandoned.

A roar of celebration erupted from downstairs. Vittoria had won first place.

Laughter, applause, shrieking.

Then Vittoria’s voice, playful and pouting.

“But the awards ceremony is on the same day as Valentina’s wedding! None of you can come with me. That’s so sad…”