My heart broke the second I left him alone in his son-in-law's room. I knew he would look at the back of the photo and that no matter how much he thought, he would never realize what I was going to do. My revenge would be slow and painful, just as my soul had been torn apart.
Aleksander's father had no idea that what was between us was gone, but when he asked me to be his bridesmaid, his smile melted a tiny piece of ice in my heart. I accepted without thinking about how much it would hurt, but when the piano music began to echo in the rose garden, my every step became a continuous flight, a new breath. Those around me looked with astonished eyes, but the only look that burned me was his. Shocked, painful, full of regret, and everything was fake, nothing real, just a mask. I stopped believing that Aleksander had emotions, that he could feel anything.
When I stood in front of him, I remembered my coldest days. The rose petals at my feet seemed to suggest the blood that had leaked from my heart. I knew that he had realized what I was thinking, but when he wanted to say something to me, the bride was already coming towards us. I stepped back a little, already regretting having come here. But I was going to avenge my parents and this was the perfect day. To see how the woman he loved disappear before his eyes.
- We have gathered here, on this wonderful day, to celebrate the union of two wonderful families, of two souls who love each other.
"Love" what a false word.
- Rosalie Salvatorre, do you take Aleksander Morreli, to be your husband?
- I do, she said, smiling wholeheartedly.
- Aleksander Morreli, will you take Rosalie Morreli to be your wife?
For a few seconds, a heavy silence spread over us. Although he tried to smile, all his features betrayed his feelings. You could say that he was so emotional that he could not realize that he was living the most beautiful moment of his life. His eyes stopped on my ring finger, where a rose-shaped ring shone. Swallowing hard, he looked away from me.
- I do.
One by one they put on their wedding rings and I saw how they were encrusted with red diamonds. The one who made them was a renowned jeweler in my country, the only one I bought from. I couldn't believe he had gone so far as to put on another woman's finger the wedding ring that I had designed for us when we were little.
"I promise that when we grow up and I see you at the altar, I will give you what you drew. I promise, Bianca!" he said then, when I was only seven years old. I have never forgotten his promise, but it seems that this was one of the last knives he stabbed into my heart.
- Then you can kiss the bride!
When their lips touched, my gaze turned to Thomas. His smile helped me breathe again, so that what was happening before my eyes would not affect me. Although we had known each other for a short time, he managed to enter my heart, and every time he held my hand I knew that I had someone who liked me just the way I am. I hadn't yet asked myself if I would ever love him, because something was still holding me back and I didn't know something. I was afraid to feel again.
*
The hall where the wedding continued was full of chandeliers, and their brilliance was reflected everywhere. The guests congratulated the newlyweds and while we took a sip of the expensive champagne, we noticed how Rosilie's hand was on his chest, drawing attention to the wedding ring. Her red hair made her the most gorgeous in the room, eclipsing anyone. Her model body did not compare at all to mine. I was much shorter than her, and my shapes were much more pronounced.
An arm went around my waist and I leaned against him. Thomas did not leave me alone for a second. While we were on the plane on the way to Italy, I told him what had happened with Aleksander, omitting the moments that he was not supposed to know. It was part of a normal world, and I did not want him to see that reality hides so much.
- You're so beautiful that you take my breath away, he whispered in my ear.
- And you're the luckiest man in this room, I said, smiling.
- Would you like to dance with me?
- And I thought you wouldn't ask anymore.
His hand carried me to the center of the room, and our steps synchronized as the song played. Dancing was always for me the moment when I disconnected from everything, from anyone. I put my hands behind his neck, and his placed them on my waist, pulling me closer, until our noses touched.
- I know it's hard for you, but I'm here, my beauty.
- I know… I think it's time to leave.
- If that's what you want t…
- The evening isn't over yet. The guests will stay for the last event of the evening. It's a shame you came all this way only to not stay until the end.
His voice sent shivers down my spine, and the cola tone told me one thing: I wasn't leaving here unscathed. There were consequences for every little move I made, especially if you got involved with the mafia.
- If you don't mind, I'd like to take Bianca to a dance. It's our favorite song, isn't it, my doll?
Thomas looked at us in surprise, but I pulled away from him, assuring him that it wouldn't be long. Aleksander didn't wait for me to leave him, taking my hand and pressing me against him.
- I don't think it's appropriate for you to be so close to me, Aleksander, I said, trying to distance myself, but he immediately pulled me back.
- I don't remember a single time when you cared what other people thought.
- Do I have to mention that you never knew me? I said in a cold voice.
- No matter how hard you try to make me suffer, you won't succeed. I won't let you leave me like you did today after you gave me the photo of us. Even though there's a wedding ring on my finger, she's not the woman who stole my heart and who never gave it back to me.
- If you think you love me, you're kidding yourself. I could never love you, not after everything you've done to me.
- How many times do I have to tell you that I didn't do anything to you? he said through his teeth, gripping my waist.
- You're a fool if you think I'll have faith in you. You're just a black spot in my life.
- Don't say things you'll regret later.
- I won't….
- Aleksander, a squeaky voice was heard. Honey, you didn't introduce me to this girl, who is she? His hands were still on me, unable to react. I pulled away from his grip, taking a few steps back and then everything went to hell.