The One He Left Became The One He Couldn’t Have Chapter 22
When Uncle Valentino brought me the brooch.
I also told them both my wedding news.
They were stunned.
Because this wedding they’d come to Boston to attend.
Was the very one the Ricci family was holding for their eldest son’s marriage.
And this bride who’d been wrapped in total mystery.
So intensely guarded that even the best local media hadn’t managed a single photo.
Was me.
They were happy for me. But they also cried with regret.
Aunt Valentino especially.
She held my hands and wouldn’t let go.
“Gianna, I don’t want to cry on your happiest day. But my heart hurts so much.”
“It’s my fault. I failed to raise my son right.”
“He made one wrong move after another…”
Adrian wanted to break up with Summer.
But Summer flatly refused.
Summer’s whole extended family stormed the Valentino house making scenes.
Threatened to move in and never leave.
They were people with nothing, after all. No fear of people with everything.
The two of them were tearing each other apart.
When suddenly Summer came up pregnant.
The Valentinos couldn’t bring themselves to make a girl end a pregnancy.
Their marriage was probably set in stone now.
I leaned into Aunt Valentino’s arms, my eyes reddening.
Remembering when I first came to the Valentinos. Crying every night for my parents.
Aunt holding me, soothing me, scene after scene.
Those carefree years.
The love they’d poured on me like I was their own daughter.
The tears finally fell.
“Gianna, our Adrian just doesn’t have the fortune.”
Aunt wiped my tears. She sighed, but her face was full of relief.
“The Ricci family has an impeccable reputation. And that Matteo is one of the finest men of his generation in Boston.”
“Gianna, you will be happy.”