Page 90 of Matteo
“Matteo?” Arianna stood stiffly next to me, alarm in her tone sending an alert through me while I gripped her hand in mine, unwilling to let go.
Her eyes shuttered and she yanked it away, taking a step back. I couldn’t blame her, but fuck, it hurt.
Physically unable to see her expression and at risk of losing my shit, I charged through the crowd and toward my father.
What the fuck just happened?
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ARIANNA
My smile frozen on my face, I watched Matteo make a beeline toward his father.
My chest constricted and I struggled to push air out of my lungs. The pressure built and built, but I kept my composure. I stayed in control.
You and me. Nothing and nobody else matters. Remember that when the time comes.
And it hit me like an avalanche. He warned me about this when I—oh my God, I couldn’t think about that. How could he have done this?
I never—fucking ever—thought Matteo would cause my world to crumble around me like this. The least he could’ve done was warn me. He owed me that much.
Hannah skipped across the ballroom and gave me her biggest smile. She tugged on my hand like I was her own personal jumping rope.
“Oh my gosh, Arianna. It’s happening.”
Her blonde hair bounced while her eyes shone so brightly, I could almost see the sun sparkling in them.
I barely found the strength to say, “Congratulations.”
She turned to Gianna and hugged her, literally jumping with joy, and my baby sister’s gaze found mine. Mom and Dad came over and pulled us into a group hug. My brothers soon joined, and so did the other guests, while I pulled away and stood like a frozen statue. It was like watching it unfold through an hourglass, distorted images and voices.
“Come over here,” Mom demanded in a soft voice.Breathe in. I could do this.Breathe out. Mom wrapped me into a hug, pressing a kiss to my cheek, and somehow that made it worse.
The back of my eyes burned and I blinked furiously, trying to maintain control. Through my blurry vision, I found Matteo smiling while talking to his grinning father and mother.Smiling.He was fuckingsmiling.
I’d been a fool. He got what he wanted: his lies sweeping me off my feet. He’d already moved on to my twin, so I might as well find someone new too. It was a petty thought to have when the shockwaves were still hitting me, cracking my heart beyond repair, but I wouldn’t let him humiliate me like this.
First though, I had to get myself together.
“I have to use the powder room,” I croaked out and rushed away, scared someone would witness me fall apart.
“Hey, Arianna. Hold up.” Nikola’s big hand came to grip mine. “I have to admit, I didn’t seethatcoming.” His voice was light, but there was nothing easy about his posture.
“What are you doing?”
He rolled his eyes.
“Comforting you. At least I think I am.” I shot him a dumbfounded look. “Are you comforted?”
I blinked, then blinked again.
“I… guess… so… Not really.” I gave my head a subtle shake, not wanting to upset him. “It’s not that simple.”
The look in his pale blue eyes gutted me.
“If all else fails,Ican marry you,” he offered.
“What did you just say?” Matteo’s frigid voice came from behind me, but I refused to turn around and acknowledge him.
