Chapter 4He Took My Wedding, I Took His Enemy

I didn't touch the gift box again. Instead, I went straight back to the main house for my father's documents.

In the study's wastebasket were a few torn-up printouts, and at the very bottom lay a payment receipt.

The payee was an audio studio.

I stared at the receipt as a chill ran down my spine.

Just as I'd suspected, Livia hadn't taken the voice recorder for any memorial video.

She wanted my father's voice to vouch for her at tomorrow night's engagement ceremony.

I snapped a photo and sent it to my father's lawyer.

I wrote: [She's doctoring my father's recordings.]

The lawyer replied at once: [I have the original audio. If we get hold of the file they play at the ceremony, we can have it authenticated.]

I sent him the address of the engagement ceremony.

Me: [Bring your people tomorrow night.]

He replied: [Understood.]

Me: [Don't tip them off.]

I put the torn paper back where I had found it.

Just as I was about to leave, my mother pushed the door open.

She handed me a program. "You'll be giving the witness speech tomorrow night. Livia says that as long as the ceremony goes smoothly, she won't upset your grandmother again."

I took the program.

My anger had reached its limit, but my face showed nothing at all. "Don't worry. I'll be there."

My mother left, satisfied. At the same moment, my phone screen lit up.

[The forensic examiners will be there tomorrow night.]

Only after reading that message did I slowly fold up the program.

They wanted me to be their witness.

Fine.

I would make sure everyone heard loud and clear exactly which engagement I was there to bear witness to.

…

The next evening, the Rossi Estate was packed with guests.

The Trust Board, the Lamberto family, and the Rossi branch families had all come.

Livia wore my dress, with my father's family heirloom pinned to her chest.

Adrian stood beside her.

When he saw me, his expression relaxed a little. He probably thought I had finally learned to do as I was told.

My mother shoved the witness speech into my hands. "Read it exactly as written."

I walked up onto the stage and looked down at Adrian and Livia.

In that moment, I wasn't angry at all anymore.

I'd used up all my anger yesterday. Now my head was perfectly clear.

I set the speech aside. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Selena Rossi. Tonight was supposed to be the engagement ceremony for Adrian Lamberto and me."

The banquet hall fell silent. Adrian's face changed abruptly.

I went on, "But yesterday, to help my sister Livia secure her trust fund, Adrian got engaged to her at the last minute."

The Trust Board members began murmuring among themselves.

Livia clutched her skirt.

My mother shot to her feet. "Selena!"

I didn't stop. "Since they asked me to be their witness, naturally I have to tell the whole truth. As of this moment, my seven-year engagement to Adrian Lamberto is over."

Right on cue, footsteps sounded at the entrance. Matteo's father made his way through the crowd and stopped in front of the stage.

I looked out at everyone and said solemnly, "At the same time, I accept the marriage alliance with the Cassano family."