The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 07

The Runaway Don’s Bride Chapter 07

Valentina’s POV

Dominic stood at the front Thinner than Lremerabered.

His gaze dropped to the flowers in my hands, shifted to Lorenzo, then returned to my face.

Behind him stood my parents.

Mamma’s expression was ugly lips pressed into a hard, thin line.

Papa was silent, brow furrowed.

The courtyard fell quiet.

Mamma’s voice came first. The familiar lash of it.

“Valentina! You had the nerve to run from your own wedding? You’ve destroyed Don Mazzarella’s reputation! You’ve dragged the Contini family’s name through the dirt!”

Dominic’s voice dropped low. “Who is he?”

I didn’t answer.

Mamma was already firing again.

“Did you fall for someone else? No wonder you dared to run on your wedding day. Disgraceful! You can’t even match your sister in character.”

I stood where I was, still holding the bouquet.

Lorenzo glanced at me with concern, then looked at them.

Finally, with what seemed like restrained anger, he said, “I’ll go inside and keep Leo company. If you need anything at all, just call for me.”

Dominic’s gaze never left my face.

“Valentina, come back with me. We’ll talk about this properly at home.”

I raised my head. A mocking smile I didn’t bother to hide.

“Dominic. I already told you we were done, and you didn’t believe me. So let me say it one more time, formally: we are over.”

His expression locked up.

His mouth opened, searching for words. When his voice came, it was hoarse. “You don’t want me—fine. But

are you abandoning your paretits too?”

Hooked at him. Looked at my mother and father standing behind him. It struck me as absurd.

“You know perfectly well, Dominic. You’re the ones who never wanted me.”

Mamma erupted. “What nonsense are you

I turned to face her. My voice wasn’t loud, but every word was glass–clear.

“Back in school, I came home thrilled with my report card. All you said was, ‘Fifteenth place? Vittoria’s always been first.“”

“You never bought me a single piece of clothing that was made for me. Everything was whatever Vittoria

didn’t want, shoved into my closet.”

“Once, I wore one of her old jackets to school, and people called me a copycat.‘

My voice began to tremble. I didn’t stop.

“I tried so hard to be as good as her. But in your eyes, the Contini family only ever had one Principessa-

Vittoria.”

“So go ahead. Pretend you don’t have a second daughter.”

The courtyard was silent. Only the low hum of the pottery wheel spinning inside.

Mamma was quiet for a few seconds. When she spoke again, her volume was lower, but her tone was just as

matter–of–fact.

“A more accomplished child naturally gets more attention. Isn’t that normal? Should we pretend not to see the difference?”

I inhaled deeply. Turned to Dominic.

“Is that what you think too?”

He looked at me. His lips moved, but he didn’t answer the question.

“I’ve missed you so much, Valentina. You have no idea what this past month has been-”

“Answer me.”

I cut him off. “Do you also think I’m less than Vittoria? That I only deserve whatever’s left over?”

Dominic went silent.

I laughed once. Turned and placed the roses in a vase without looking back.

“Go walk around the market at something. I have work to do.”

I walked into the studio and shut the door. My fingers found the clay, and I began working the surface smooth again.

Their voices carried through from outside. I couldn’t make out the words.

After a while, the door opened.

Vittoria walked in. Her voice carried an edge of resentment.

“Valentina. You finally beat me at something. Are you happy?”