A Love Restored

It’s the day of mybridal shower. One day before my wedding. Less than 24 hours till I become Ginevra Rivera. Forever.

Julian dropped me off at home around 5 am. I didn’t sleep much after that. I felt this weird hollow space in my chest. Like someone had scooped a piece out of my body. And my bones felt dense and heavy. But the finality of him leaving was ringing in my ears. Maybe I would see him years from now. Him and Nun would be married. They might have children. They would have little boys with her brown eyes and his soft black hair.

Maybe Niro and I would have children in the future. He would make beautiful babies, And he would be an outstanding father.

But there would always be a hole in my chest. A place for Julian. A seat in my heart for hins, because it has always belonged to him. And it always will.

I get out of bed at eight and take a long, warm bath. My bridal shower starts at noon. Its just a small lunch event organized by Bethany and my maid of honor, my cousin, Clara. It will be held in my backyard, Gabriel and Remi Ajax have decorated it beautifully there are only flowers. It looks lovely.

I have some strawberries. Staying up the entire night has pat dark circles under my eyes. As I get dressed. I put on extra concealer.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

My dress is pink and flowy. It hides my small baby bump excellently. No one could ever guess

1. ss. I’m pregnant. Except of course, everyone who knows. Clara bought the dress. She doesn’t know about the pregnancy. The design was sheer luck.

Bethany is the first to arrive. She fawns over my dress and has brought a huge gift. Not many people have come, and I’m glad. The small gathering of close friends and family is wonderful. Everyone is happy and is having fun. I’m feeling tired and nauseated.

After I open everybody’s gifts and make small talk with all the guests, I grab a plate of food and sit down to eat. The others are dancing and drinking champagne. I marse my strawberry lemonade.

“Hey!” I hear a soft voice from behind me. I whip round to see Nua.

“Oh, hi

“Sorry I’m late.” She says, “There was an emergency at my house. You look radiant!”

I didn’t know she was invited. I look around and catch Gabriel’s eye. He makes a ‘deep breaths‘ g

I breathe deeply. Nua is nice enough. And I have to put up with her for the rest of my life

“That’s fine.” I tell her, “Sit down. Get something to eat.”

She hesitates, before sitting down. “My mother wanted to be here, but she’s…not well.”

“I hope she feels better soon. She should come to the wedding tomorrow.”

‘gesture.

Nua nods steadily, playing with the hem of her blue skirt. “Congratulations. You re really lucky to be with someone like Nico.”

I smile. “Yes. I am. Thank you.”

There is awkward silence for a while. I take a small bite of bruschetta.

You’ll really like Italy.” I offer, to fill the silence.

She nods, “I don’t really want to go. But Dante doesn’t want to stay here. So, I’ll be moving there, I guess. She lets out a soft giggle. I can hear the sadness in it.

She’s so nice and so innocent, making such huge sacrifices for her family, I should hate her for taking away my happiness, but I cannot manage to

*Would you like to see my wedding dress?”

Her eyes li

light up, and she agrees readily

“Maybe when everyone has left, you can come up to my room and I can shone it you. I’m also desperate for hairdo suggestions.

“I have great ideas! Let me help,”

10

“That’s the point, Nua,” I tell her. She grins, and excuses herself to get some food and a drink, hopping along the way happily

Everyone leaves soon enough, and after I thank Bethany and Clara for all their hard work, they leave too. Gabriel and Remi Ajax, along with another soldier, Derric, start to clean up. I take Nua to my room.

“Get comfortable.” I tell her, pointing to the bed. She sits down daintily with her legs crossed in a Sussex slant, I resist the urge to roll my eyes

1 bring out my wedding dress from my closet and lay it down on the bed. Nua gasps softly, and touches the fabric lightly. “Its so beautiful” She

exclaims

I nod. “Bethany helped me pick it out.”

Do you get along with Bethany? Dante’s mother scares me

I laugh, Bethany has known me very long. She’s like a mother to me. But you shouldn’t be scared of Nora. She’s really nice. His father on the other hand,” I sigh

dramatically, “Not the easiest to impress.”

She looks down. “I didn’t know you’ve met his parents,”

“I met them at Bethany and Consigliere’s anniversary party. Not as Julian’s girlfriend.”

She nods. “Sorry. I’m just mess these days.”

I understand. I really do.

But anyway,” Nua perks up, “Will you please put it on and show me?”

Well, there’s no harm in it. I shrug, “Sure.”

I go into my closet and put on the dress. Once I get out, I twirl and show it to No. “Do you like it?”

Just as she is about to answer, a huge ruckus interrupts us. There are really loud in my house.

We both look at each other in confusion, and go out

“Gabe?” I call out.

I go out to the main entrance, and Nua follows me.

Julian is holding Gabe to a wall by his collar. Remi Ajax is yelling at him to let go.

“Let me see her!” Julian yells at my brother, I know she’s

he’s inside.”

A shiver runs up my spine. I look at Nua, but she is staring straight ahead at the commotion, emotionless.

Julian has on a white shirt, but it is soaked in blood. He’s bleeding from the back of his shoulder.

Julian!” I yell. He doesn’t hear it. Maybe in his rage. Maybe he is drunk.

I ran toward them, just as he is about to land a punch on Gabriel.

Julian!” I yell, grabbing his uninjured shoulder.

He drops Gabriel instantly, and turns around,

He takes the sight of me in – wedding dress and all, and falls to his