The One He Left Became The One He Couldn’t Have Chapter 14
Twenty minutes before six.
Summer’s full look had been finished for a while.
But Adrian still hadn’t emerged from the upstairs lounge.
Summer hesitated, then walked over.
The lounge door wasn’t locked.
Faint voices drifted through.
Summer slipped close.
“Adrian, are you sure Gianna’s not coming back?”
“If she was going to, she’d be here by now. Even a rocket couldn’t get her here in time.”
“Adrian, I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time.”
“Do you really feel absolutely nothing for Gianna?”
“You grew up together. She’s beautiful, innocent. She’s had eyes for no one but you.”
Summer held her breath.
A long silence hung inside the room.
Then Adrian’s voice came, slow and measured.
“Nothing.”
“Would you have feelings for a kid who still wore cartoon T-shirts?”
Adrian scoffed.
He was five years older than Gianna.
Gianna was just starting first grade when she came to the Valentinos.
Even if later, she grew up and became stunning.
Adrian’s mind flicked, unbidden, to her eighteenth birthday night.
He must have lost his mind that night.
Dizzy and drunk on her, kissing her.
And taking that brooch.
“But Gianna’s gorgeous now.”
“Yeah. Half my buddies are into her.”
“You remember that equestrian tour event last year?”
“Yeah, yeah. She wore that red riding jacket. Took the championship.”
“I can still see her on the podium, helmet off, smiling like the sun…”
Adrian remembered.
He remembered that day. Gianna had been over the moon.
Dragging him around, chattering nonstop.
Showing off her trophy and her pony.
Babbling on about how handsome the award presenter was.
But she only had eyes for him, she said. She’d only sneaked one glance.
Adrian’s mouth curved slightly.
He and Gianna both loved riding.
Gianna’s pony was still kept at the Valentino stables.
Summer pushed the door open.
“Adrian.”
She wore an ivory satin gown with a pearl sheen.
A replica of the dress Mrs. Valentino had worn for her engagement.
Mrs. Valentino came from an ordinary middle-class family.
Mr. Valentino’s heroic rescue had sparked their beautiful love story.
People still talked about it to this day.
Adrian’s greatest pride in life was his parents’ deep, enduring love.
That was probably why.
When he saved Summer, something special stirred in him.
And now, Summer standing before him.
Looked just as gentle and lovely as his mother in those old photographs.
Adrian’s heart softened again.
Even if he’d never truly planned on engagement and marriage with Summer.
Today, he’d at least give her a perfect ceremony.
Adrian rose and extended his hand to Summer.
Summer smiled tenderly and walked to him, lifting her skirt.
“I was worried when you didn’t come down.”
“I’m fine. Let’s go now.”
“Everything with Gianna… is it handled?”
“Yeah.”
Adrian’s gaze slid past the sapphire brooch on his chest.
“Gianna’s got a feral streak. You’re sweet-tempered. She stays in Boston. She doesn’t come back.”
Joy surged in Summer’s heart.
But her face stayed carefully concerned. “Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“Gianna’s used to getting her way. Won’t she feel wronged, all alone out there?”
Adrian’s voice was flat. “A little suffering will teach her some sense.”
Summer said nothing more.
Obediently took his arm and walked downstairs with him.
Six o’clock.
Her engagement was about to begin.
Starting today.
She would never again live in government-subsidized housing.
Never live in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Never share a cramped room with two sisters.
Her whole family would ride this better life with her.
Adrian was God’s gift to her. The only chance to climb.
She would hold onto him with a death grip.
And never, ever let go.