The Bride Who Never Showed

When I entered Romano Estate, I noticed everyone fawning over Adriana.

"Giada, over here!" she called, striding toward me in her high heels. She was dressed in a red evening gown—completely matching the one I had chosen for my opening dance.

I instinctively bit my lip. Carlo happened to be coming down the stairs, and as soon as he saw her, his eyes lit up. "Adriana, you look absolutely stunning!"

Her cheeks turned red. "Carlo, stop it! Giada's right here.

"Giada, please don't take it the wrong way. I already feel awful for causing you two to argue at your place this morning."

Carlo couldn't stop looking at her. The admiration in his gaze was unmistakable. He didn't even glance at me; instead, he reached up and gently removed a stray eyelash from under Adriana's eye.

The sight of this had everyone laughing.

Carlo's father, Don Sergio Romano, wore a look of regret. "Adriana and Carlo really do make a better match."

I glanced down at the dark green dress I had on. I wasn't a flawless beauty, yet in the past, Carlo would often call me beautiful and tenderly tuck my hair behind my ear.

On the other side, Adriana complained coquettishly, "Don Romano, please don't say that in front of Giada. She might get upset."

Carlo's mother, Donna Ornella Romano, let out a scoff at the remark.

Carlo finally cast me a glance, though it was clear he wasn't pleased. "My parents have known Adriana since she was little. Can you stop being so petty? And can you stop making a fuss over something like this?

"Mamma was right. Upbringing is everything. You were raised by your mother and only acknowledged by your father's family at 18. It's no surprise you don't have even the slightest sense of manners."

My brows drew together. I couldn't believe Carlo would say something like that about me.

"Carlo, you know how much my mother has done for you. Aren't you afraid you'll break her heart by saying that?"

Carlo felt a flicker of guilt, yet with his entire family present, he quickly forced a scowl. "Anyway, Adriana and I are just childhood friends. Don't let your jealousy push you into upsetting her."

In the end, it all came down to him standing up for Adriana.

I suddenly felt drained. The weight of everything from the past pressed down on me like a mountain, making it hard to breathe.

After a long silence, I began, "I actually came today to say—"

Adriana suddenly cut in, her voice loud and sharp. "Carlo, my best friend wants to go to St. Morizia too. Are there any seats left on the plane?"

Carlo nodded right away. "Si, I'll take care of it."

Massimo hesitated. "Mr. Romano, wasn't the last seat supposed to be reserved for Ms. Castellani—"

"Ah, then forget it. I wouldn't want to upset Giada—"

Unable to tolerate Adriana feeling slighted, Carlo made up his mind at once. "Giada can take another flight. Adriana's friend isn't familiar with the place. She has to travel with us."

Adriana's face lit up with joy. She grabbed his arm, swinging it lightly. "Carlo, I just knew you'd treat me better than anyone!"

With that, everyone's gaze toward me grew even more disdainful.

"For the wedding, Carlo even had the airline arrange two exclusive direct flights for us. But in the end, the bride won't be on board."

"What's the big deal? Giada is only marrying him to secure a family alliance. Forget the other flights—she'd walk there if she had to."

The air around me was thick with mockery. Meanwhile, Carlo's gaze remained entirely on Adriana. He didn't hear a word I said. In the end, I was nothing more than someone watching from the sidelines.

Letting out a quiet sigh, I turned and left. I decided to hold off on canceling the wedding for now.

As I walked away, something around Adriana's neck caught my eye—a gold necklace. A daisy-shaped diamond pendant hung from it.

For a moment, my mind went blank. "Where did you get that diamond?"