Adaline's POV
I woke up with a heavy head.
All night, Mom and I cried over the behavior of my late father's brother who came to our house and embarrassed us, especially by bringing up my status as an adopted child. The truth is, I'm not my parents' biological child. Even though they never brought it up, never made it an issue. But still, my late father's brother disliked my presence so much. Even though I've always tried to be a good child. I never acted like a niece demanding anything from her uncle. I even always gave whatever I had to my cousin if he asked for it. But still, they never liked me.
My late father also often boosted my spirits. Saying not to pay attention to my uncle's words. My uncle just felt jealous because my father's affection was more towards me, who had no blood relation to him, rather than to Roby's child, who was his biological nephew.
I never made an issue out of it. I didn't even care when my uncle's child bullied me relentlessly when we were at school. Luckily, I had Claire and Gladwin Hampton who always helped me fight against bullying. Although it didn't last long because they returned to Kansas after completing their acceleration program.
I also didn't care if my cousin accused me of things I didn't do. As long as my parents believed in me, I felt like I could stand against the whole world.
However, if insults have been directed towards my family, especially my mother, the greatest woman I've ever known, I can't stay silent.
I open my phone and see the remaining amount of money that Altezza once gave me. There's still a lot left because it turns out the cost of my mother's care isn't as expensive as I thought. I know Altezza won't accept this money back, and I don't intend to return it either. With the contract we've agreed upon. With the profits we've shared. I will use this money wisely.
At least with this money, I can provide a new life for my mother. Even though I'm sure my mother will refuse if I ask her to sell the house left by my father. But I will try to persuade her to move to a new place, along with Emma. A place where nobody knows us. A place where nobody will insult us.
Yes, for my mother, I will do anything as long as I can.
I take a deep breath. There's a knock on the door. It's time to start a new life. Today I will change my single status to that of a 'wife.' Even though it's just a formality on paper. Because as I told Tessa before, there's no love between us. Perhaps, there never will be. Because for someone like me, optimism isn't a word that ranks high in my life's dictionary.
Altezza's POV
I take another deep breath, exhaling slowly. Breathe in, breathe out. Mamma touches my hand and squeezes it gently. I glance at her and smile. Even though this isn't my first marriage, I still feel nervous.
We're in the hotel owned by my family where our wedding will take place. My room is one floor above the hotel's ballroom where I will exchange vows with the lovely little girl who is surely feeling the same fear as me right now.
Who else but Miss Adaline Scott, who will soon become Mrs. Adaline Quirino.
Just thinking about it makes the pounding in my chest feel even stronger, almost suffocating. Not suffocating with sadness or fear, but suffocating with happiness that's too overwhelming for me to explain.
"I thought an Altezza Quirino wouldn't feel nervous," my mother mocks without even turning to look at me. I turn to her and choose to rise from my seat.
"Don't tease me, Mamma. Don't cry later after I've officially made Adaline your daughter-in-law," I retort teasingly as I walk to the pantry and gulp down a glass of cold water.
"Oh, why would I cry? I'll probably laugh the loudest when the witnesses shout 'I DO' for both of you," my mother replies in her mocking tone, as always.
"Are you sure?" I ask skeptically. Mamma hits my arm hard. "Mamma! I'm the groom-to-be, don't let my future wife see bruises on my body on our wedding night!" I shout loudly, making my mother even more fond of me.
Oh, I do enjoy teasing her. Rather than seeing her cry-unless it's tears of joy-I'd rather tease her until she feels annoyed and forgets to shed tears.
I sit back down on the long sofa while my mother sits beside me. My father? He chooses to sit on the single sofa and watch TV in silence.
"How's Adaline? Have you asked about her?" My mother's gaze turns melancholic as she looks at me.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Did you forget about what happened at her house yesterday?" She shouts loudly, making my ears ring.
"Does Mamma forget that she wasn't at home yesterday?" I remind her.
"Just because she wasn't at home doesn't mean she won't know what happened." My mother hits my arm very hard. She really resorts to physical violence with me. "You really are an insensitive man. Remember that the neighbors' words can be sharper than jalapeno peppers." She murmurs again, making me roll my eyes.
"You have this bad habit of always bringing up food when you're angry." I mutter, earning another pinch of her jalapeno peppers.
"Anyway, by now Adaline must know that her uncle insulted her mother. Why don't you try to comfort her?"
"Should I go to her room, calm her down, and hug her?" I ask challengingly. "Didn't you yourself say that I shouldn't meet her before the wedding?"
"Who told you to go see her?" My mother snaps angrily. "It's the modern age, what's so difficult about contacting her through messages or a phone call?"
"Mamma! Don't act like an innocent child who doesn't know anything." I say again, with a tone that I pretend to be annoyed. "What if I get triggered after hearing my future wife's voice?"