Chapter 157 To Forgive or Not

Chapter 157 To Forgive or Not
ARYA’S POV

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, the midnight blue dress flowing around me like water. 

My hair was still loose around my shoulders, and I couldn't decide what to do with it. 

A soft knock echoed at the door. "Arya? May I come in?"

"Yes, Mom."

She entered, already dressed in a beautiful champagne-colored gown, her hair swept up in a chignon.

"You look beautiful," she said, coming to stand behind me. "But your hair… here, let me help."

Her hands were gentle as she ran her fingers through my hair, arranging it so it fell in soft waves over my shoulders.

"You should keep it like this," she said decisively. "It looks lovely down."

I watched her in the mirror, remembering all the times she had done this when I was younger.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked quietly, her hands still smoothing my hair. "We can still stay home. No one would think less of you."

I shook my head. "I need to do this. Dr. Rossi says avoiding Giovanni isn't helping me heal.” A sigh left my throat as I added. “I need to prove to myself that I can be in the same space as him without falling apart."

"You're very brave." She whispered. 

I shook my head. "I'm terrified."

"Those aren't mutually exclusive." Mama finished with my hair and wrapped her arms around me from behind, meeting my eyes in the mirror. 

"We'll be with you every step of the way. If it gets to be too much.”

I leaned back into her embrace, letting myself feel safe for just a moment.

"Thank you, Mom."

When we came downstairs, Dad was waiting in the foyer with Christabel, who looked adorable in her emerald green dress.

"Well, well," Dad said, his eyes lighting up as he saw us. "I'm surrounded by the three most beautiful women in all of America."

"Dad!" Christabel giggled.

"It's true! How did I get so lucky?" He offered his arms. "Shall we, ladies?"

Mama took one arm, Christabel the other, and they posed dramatically, making me smile despite my nerves.

But my smile faded when I saw Rosa approaching with Dante.

My baby was dressed in a onesies  that made him look so adorable. 

I immediately went to him, fussing with his  hair and checking to make sure he was okay.

"Are you sure you don't want us to bring him?" I asked Rosa for the third time. "He could come. Babies are welcome at weddings."

"Miss Arya, he'll be fine. I promise." Rosa's voice was patient. "He just ate, he's clean, and I have everything I need. We'll have a quiet evening at home, and you can focus on enjoying yourself."

I frowned. "But what if he cries and you can't calm him down? Or what if-"

"Then I'll call you but he'll be fine. Won't you, little one?" She bounced Dante gently, and he gurgled happily.

I kissed his forehead multiple times, breathing in his baby scent. "Mama loves you. I'll be home soon."

"Arya," Dad said gently. "We should go. We don't want to be late."

I reluctantly left Dante with Rosa and followed my family to the car.

The drive felt too short. My anxiety built with every passing mile and my hands twisted in my lap.

"Breathe," Mom reminded me quietly. "Just breathe."

I tried but my chest felt too tight.

The venue came into view, it was a beautiful estate with sprawling gardens. The ceremony was being held outside, under a canopy of trees strung with lights. 

Even in the afternoon sun, it looked magical.

"Oh!" Christabel pressed her face to the window. "It's so beautiful! I want a wedding exactly like this when I grow up!"

"You're fourteen," Dad reminded her. "Let's not plan your wedding quite yet."

She stuck her tongue out. "Almost fifteen. And I'm just saying, this is perfect.”

Her chatter helped distract me as we pulled up to the entrance.

But when the car stopped and it was time to get out, my anxiety spiked again.

This was real. Giovanni was here and we might cross paths. 

"I can do this," I whispered to myself and nodded.

We walked into the venue together, Papa leading the way. There were guests already sipping champagne and talking amongst themselves. 

I spotted Jasmine standing near the entrance, she was wearing simple white dress that somehow made her look like a princess.

She spotted us and her eyes went wide. "Arya! You came!"

I barely had time to respond before she was rushing toward me, pulling me into a tight hug.

Her familiar scent nearly made my knees weak and I held her tight 

"I didn't think you'd come," she whispered shakily. “I wanted you here so badly but I understood if you couldn't come."

My eyes were already starting to blur but I managed to speak. "I'm so happy for you, Jasmine."

"I'm so happy you're safe. When Giovanni told us what happened…" She pulled back, wiping her eyes. "I'm just so glad you're okay."

That's when I noticed the slight swell of her stomach beneath the empire waist of her dress.

My eyes widened. “Jasmine, are you pregnant?"

Her face broke into a huge grin. "Yes! I'm four months along. How did you guess? Wr didn't want to announce it before the wedding…" 

She patted her belly. "My designer promised me it wouldn't show.”

“Instincts, I guess? From one mother to another.” I said and she laughed again. “Congratulations.”

"Thank you." She linked her arm through mine. "Come on, let me introduce you to some people. Oh, Enzo will be so excited you're here!"

She pulled me toward a group of people, and I spotted Enzo. 

"Arya!" His face lit up when he saw me. "You made it.”

I forced a smile on my face. “I did. Congratulations, Enzo."

"Thank you for coming.” He said, shifting nervously. “I know it couldn't have been easy-”

The conversation felt strained. Enzo clearly wanted to say more, but wasn't sure how. 

I wanted to act like everything was fine, but I didn't know how.

He opened his mouth to say something but then everyone started to whisper and I turned around to see him. 

Giovanni entered through the side entrance, and it was like the air had been sucked out of the space.

He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders. His dark hair was styled back and his jaw was clean-shaven.

He looked devastating and my heart lurched painfully.

Our eyes met across the crowded room, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

He started moving toward me.

Panic seized me. "Excuse me," I said quickly to Enzo, and moved away, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

I found a spot partially hidden behind a decorative column, my heart hammering.

I couldn't do this.  I wasn't ready to talk to him yet. 

"Everyone, please take your seats!" someone announced. "The ceremony is about to begin!"

Thank God.

I found my family and slipped into the seat between Mama and Christabel, grateful for their protective presence.

Soon, the sound of the piano filled the air and Jasmine walked down the aisle on her father's arm, smiling brightly. 

Enzo's face when he saw her made me tear up despite myself. They stood under an arch of flowers and spoke their vows.

I was truly happy for them. But I could feel eyes on me.

I glanced to the side and found Giovanni standing with the groomsmen, his gaze fixed on me.

Our eyes met and held.

Dr. Rossi's voice echoed in my mind. “The anger is poisoning you. You need to find a way to forgive him, not for his sake, but for yours.”

But looking at him now, remembering everything, I couldn't forgive him.

Not yet. Maybe not ever.

I looked away, forcing myself to focus on Enzo and Jasmine. 

“I won't forgive him,” I told myself firmly.

But even as I repeated it like a mantra, I could still feel his gaze on me and a traitorous part of my heart ached at the distance between us.