He Rigged the Vows, I Chose His Uncle

"I didn't like red anymore," I said evenly.

Daniele's eyes went wide. "You didn't like red anymore? That car was worth half a million dollars!"

I shrugged. "So? You gave it to me. It was mine. I could do whatever I wanted with it."

Daniele drew a long breath, fighting to keep it together. His voice softened, switching to the gentle act. "Regina, I know you're upset. But you can't be this reckless."

I snorted. "Reckless? What exactly did I do that was so reckless?"

He stepped closer. "You knew that car meant a lot to me. It was the one we drove on our first date."

I stepped back. "And now it's old. I no longer feel anything for it. Selling it was better."

Daniele's expression flickered, but he recovered fast, slipping back into that confident smile. "Fine. I'll admit that I've been ignoring you lately. But once the wedding's over, everything will be better."

I raised an eyebrow. "The wedding? I know."

"Of course I'm talking about our wedding," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Though I'll be getting back late that day."

"Why?"

"I'm taking Sofia to Helarno for a vacation. I might not get back until later," Daniele said lightly, like it shouldn't bother me at all.

I stared at him, disgust curling in my chest. He honestly still thought I'd marry him. He genuinely believed I didn't know he'd tampered with the marriage alliance contract.

I moved toward the desk. "Okay. Whatever you want."

I pulled out a gold-embossed wedding invitation and handed it to him.

Daniele took it. "What's this?"

"It's the wedding invitation. You said you wanted to attend, right?"

Daniele didn't even glance at it. He shoved it straight into his pocket. "Of course. Why would I miss my own wedding?"

He then ruffled Sofia's hair. "See? She knows I only see you as a sister. She won't make a fuss over something this small."

Sofia turned on her sweetest, most innocent voice. "I always thought if you loved someone, you'd care if your fiance went on vacation with another woman."

Daniele froze, then turned to me, taking in how blank my expression was. For the first time, real unease crossed his face.

"Regina?" he said, testing the waters.

I didn't answer. I just watched the two of them.

Daniele's voice wavered. "Y-You're not actually mad, right?"

I smiled. "Why would I be? You're right. You only see Sofia as your sister."

He let out a breath, but that uneasy look in his eyes didn't fade.

He grinned and said. "Then it's settled. I'll be in Helarno for a few days, and when I'm back, we'll have the wedding. And since you don't like that car anymore, I'll buy you a new one after the wedding."

I nodded. "Va bene. Hope you two enjoy yourselves."

Daniele pulled Sofia toward the door, but right before stepping out, he glanced back at me.

I was still there, smiling softly, and something about it sent a chill down his spine.

"Daniele, what's wrong?" Sofia asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go."

But his unease only got worse.

My behavior earlier had been way off. Every other time he brought up another woman, I'd get jealous or pissed off. But today, I didn't react at all while he and Sofia flirted right in front of me.

That wasn't me. Not the version of me he thought he knew.

Sofia noticed how far away he suddenly seemed. "Daniele, what are you thinking about?"

Daniele frowned. "I'm thinking about Regina. She was different today."

A flash of jealousy sparked in Sofia's eyes. "Different? What do you mean by different?"

"She's too calm, in a way that wasn't her at all."

Sofia's chest tightened, but she forced a casual tone. "Maybe she finally realized something."

"Realized what?"

Sofia jabbed him on purpose. "That you're never actually going to marry her. You've dragged it out long enough, haven't you?"

Daniele's face tightened. "What the hell are you talking about? Of course I'm going to marry her."

Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then why are you taking me to Helarno?"

Daniele opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

That was when it hit him. Maybe I'd seen straight through him. But it was too late to fix anything now. He'd already promised Sofia, and he wasn't about to back out.

Besides, as far as he was concerned, I loved him too much to walk away.

My voice replayed in Daniele's head. "Okay. Whatever you want."

His smile froze.