“It’s perfect.” I hold it up a little, and the light catches the gorgeous diamond as the ring trembles in my grip. “I love it. Thank you,” I practically whisper.
“I’m so glad,” Bibi exclaims, and Dom’s aunt makes a cooing sound.
I move to put it on but realize it won’t fit on my ring finger, so I slip it onto my pinkie. “I’ll have to get it resized, if that’s okay.”
Bibi is tiny, so if this last belonged to her, it’s no surprise it’s too small for me.
“Of course.” She flutters her hands. “If I’d been thinking, I would’ve done that for you.” Then she turns her gaze to Dom, narrowing her eyes. “Or if someone had told me before you got married, I could’ve had it ready for you then.”
I almost wince, thinking about how horrible it would’ve been to have thrown this ring out the window. And I’m eternally grateful that Dom didn’t tell his mom ahead of time.
“Either way, it’s yours now,” she tells me. “And you can keep it until your daughter gets married.”
Her statement is so casual, but it shatters my abused heart into a thousand pieces.
My daughter.
My head tips down as I squeeze my eyes shut.
I would love nothing more than to have a daughter.
My chest tightens almost painfully, and I have to open my mouth to pull in a breath.
Calm down, Val.
You need to calm down.
“Speaking of…” Bibi taps the picture frame still in front of her. “Will someone please tell me about the ceremony? I’ve always been curious about how it works in Vegas.”
Oh god, please don’t ask me that.
A buzzing noise builds inside my skull until I can’t hear anything else.
I need separation from this situation.
I need distance.
My chair scrapes across the floor as I push away from the table.
“Excuse me,” I try to say, not sure if I manage.
When I stand, I sway, the shots and the old-fashioned and whatever was served with dinner all catching up to me.
A large hand, which I know is covered in ink similar to my own, presses against my lower back, steadying me.
“Val,” he says quietly, but I don’t look back. I can’t.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell him.
I don’t know if he hears me, but I hurry away from his touch.
I head toward the little hallway in the back corner that I spotted earlier, hoping it has the escape I need.
And on my way, I pass another cluster of brightly colored balloons tethered to the wall, reminding me that everyone is here for me.
Dominic’s whole family is here for me.
Not his family, our family. Because we’re married now.
Just breathe.
One of the tables is full of men, and as I walk past, they all raise their glasses and cheer.
They’re having fun. They’re happy to be here.
And it’s the final straw.
I manage to turn down the hall before the first sob breaks free.
CHAPTER 50
Dom
“I’m sorry.” My mom wrings her hands. “Is it something I said?”
I watch the corner where Valentine disappeared. “No, you’re good, Mom. She’s just had a stressful week, and I’m afraid this all might be a little overwhelming for her.” None of that is a lie. “Just stay here and keep everyone occupied. I’ll go check on her.”
I reach across the table and pat my mom’s hands.
Her smile is a little wobbly. “I really like her.”
I smile at my mother’s approval. “I really like her, too.”
I slide back my chair, then follow Valentine’s path away from the table.
My uncles cheer for me just as loudly as they did when Val passed them.
I almost keep walking but then stop and snatch a shot of something brown out of my closest uncle’s hand.
Before he can protest, I tip the shot back and swallow it down, then hold the empty out to his table. “To marriage.”
They all laugh and tip back their own.
I’m far from drunk, but the extra booze will hopefully help ease my guilt.
I don’t know why I thought Val would like that photo of us from the wedding. I know it’s a bad moment in her memory, but I…
I drag a hand down my face.
I thought I could change that. Thought showing her how content she was in the moment would change that. But in reality, what I did was hand her a photo of a memory she can’t remember because she had been drugged by me.
And then my mom’s ring. Followed by her asking about the ceremony…