Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
DALILA
W e have been having an amazing time planning our second wedding. This time our families and friends will be there - it will be a massive event because we want to celebrate of marriage with everyone we know.
I want to scream that I love him from every rooftop in the city.
I am so happy. My heart is so full of life and love.
Nevio steps close to me as we stand on the step outside my brother’s house. I asked Mas to arrange a family dinner for me and to invite everyone - including my father.
I take a deep breath.
“Are you ok?” Nev asks, squeezing my hand.
“I’m ok. I’m ready.”
I nod, forcing myself to feel confident enough to handle this.
I decided about a week ago.
The realization came to me one night when I was lying on Nevio’s chest, listening to his breathing while he slept.
Everything has happened for a reason. And I would not change a single moment of it. Even the parts that were terrifying. The parts were I was furious at my family. The parts where I thought my own brothers had betrayed me. The part where my father betrayed me.
Even the part where I almost lost my life.
I wouldn’t change any of it because all of it is the reason that I met Nevio.
If my father hadn’t messed up, my brother would not have bet me off in a poker game - a game where Nevio was playing.
If I hadn’t been forced into it, I would never have given him a chance, and that fills my heart with shame because he is the most beautiful, loving, and gentlemanly person to me.
He is the perfect person for me.
That one night a week ago, I realized I should thank my father for messing up.
He is the reason I am married to Nevio - the shadow monster. The one who has the devil’s mark.
I shake my head, thinking about how crazy it has all been, but there is a smile on my face when I walk into my brother’s house.
The smell of roasted lamb and crispy roast potatoes fills the air.
The holiday season is almost over, but the family spirit is high in this house.
Red sees me first and comes out to pull me into a hug.
“Baby sister. You look good.”
He shakes Nevio’s hand, towering over him. No one is taller than Red.
“Rufino, good to see you, man.”
Mas and Celso come say hello next, then Tuomo.
Tuomo grins at me. “Are we going to witness you giving dad any lectures tonight?” He chuckles.
“Oh stop. I don’t want any drama tonight.” I punch him in the shoulder, and he fakes an injury just as well as the soccer players do.
Nev and I walk through the house towards the living room. Mas hands us each a drink when we enter. Gin for me and whiskey for Nev.
My father is sitting on the sofa near the patio doors. He stands up, looking unsure about whether he can come over and say hello.
I let go of Nev’s hand, and he throws me an encouraging smile.
I walk right up to my father. Holding my head high. Smiling, but feeling weary in my heart.
“Dad.”
“Lila.” He says, nervous and tense.
“Here.” I hand him a pearl white envelope. The paper has a shimmer to it that catches the light when you move it. He doesn’t notice the shimmer as he stares down at the embossed outline of his name on the front. “What is this?”
“Open it.” I say, gesturing my hand towards it.
His jaw muscles clench and unclench as he works the top of the envelope free. Folding it back, he dips his fingers inside to grab the pieces of folded paper.
He slides it out and places it on top of the envelope, unfolding it, glancing up at me as his eyes catch mine. I see the thick tension running in the lines across his aged face.
He looks back down at the unfolded piece of paper and breathes a heavy sigh of relief.
You are invited to join us on our wedding day - to celebrate this special moment with us.
He swallows back his emotions and pulls me into his arms.
I lean against him, not hugging back, but also not pushing him away.
What he did still causes me a great deal of pain, but I need to let it go, and move on.
I need to be grateful for the good that came out of it rather than focusing on the trauma.
My dad lets me go and looks into my eyes.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I will be there.” He nods, then folds the paper back and slips it into his jacket pocket. Patting it once.
Sitting at the table, I look around at my brothers.
“Hey, guys, when is at least one of you going to get a girlfriend, so I don’t have to be the only woman at these things?” I huff in annoyance, lifting my hands in the air dramatically.
They all laugh.
“We have a bet that Mas will be the first to get a girl.” Celso says.
“Bullshit. When do I have time for women? I am not interested in that drama.” Mas shakes his head, adamant that he is not the type of man who falls in love.
Celso laughs and points at Tuomo. “The other twin then.” He states. Tuomo throws him a glare that might be sharper than daggers.
His icy stare has Celso shifting in his seat and then rolling his eyes.
Mas chuckles. “It’ll be Red.”
“Oh please, he’s a fucking giant. He’d trample any woman that tried to date him.” I say imagining some tiny girl next to the family giant.
Red lets a low growl escape his lips as he picks up his dinner knife and points it at Mas.
I giggle and glance over at Nev. He laughs and shakes his head, then slips his hand beneath the table and runs it over my leg. He leans close to me as the boys continue to fight over this ridiculous topic.
“I’m the luckiest man alive, you know.”
I lean back to look into his eyes. A massive grin touches my lips. “Oh, I know.” I say cheekily.
Later that night we are on our way home when Nev reaches out and takes my hand, not taking his eyes off the road, though.
“Lila.”
“Yes?” I look over at him, enjoying the view of his profile against the streetlights outside the car window.
“Why did you forgive your father? What helped you decide that?”
I smile, letting my eyes drop to my lap. “You.”
“Me?” he glances over at me.
“You. Because everything that I went through because of my father’s horrible choices - his selfish actions - all of it led to me meeting you. IF he hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be married to you. I wouldn’t have had that chance.”
“But—what Malone did to you—surely—”
“It was all worth it, Nev. Every moment. Everything that happened. If I knew I could have you, I would go through all of it again.”
He shakes his head as a deep frown carves into his forehead.
“For me?”
He doesn’t believe me.
I laugh and reach out to touch his face.
“You are everything to me.” I whisper, tracing my finger over his jaw.