His Woman

w-gilded pews, candlelight flickering across stone

ad never f

the front, neither saying a word. She didn't ask questions. She didn't look out the window.

asn't

ever be

chapel steps, the door opened, and

oment before placing her

beautiful,

say? Her father had sold her like prop

t owe him

aisle, every eye turned toward her. Guests dressed in black an

i

ai

powerful, they looked at her as though

led around her, echoing off the vaulted ceilings. But all she could he

n she s

u

he did. Dressed in a tailored black suit, shirt open just enough

es met hers, so

. There was no pity in Luca Moretti.

ere

father moved to lift her veil, but

t," he sai

tepped back

ifted it, his eyes never leaving hers. When their faces

like it's a wea

And you look like a man

nt cleared

thered her

choes. Valencia barely heard any of it. Her body stood st

his man and t

miles. No sweet glances

ten

oly matr

de her laugh. There was

and slid the ring onto her finger like seali

t said, "do you take Luca Mor

d straigh

r in her s

e said

t was

been discussed-and Luca, despi

e offered

took

he aisle, through the chapel, and

Reporters shouted from a distance. Paparazzi elbowed for a

id beside her, l

di

rself," h

two of them now. As the door shut be

s settle

aight, hands folded in her lap

," he said af

erforming,"

hat's why

did you stop my father

first person to see your face like that to

cia b

hat was a compliment

she said. "Is that how y

mly. "I survive because

back to t

spoke for the

and guarded like a fortress. Everything sparkled. Chandeliers hung li

once. It was sh

but not because he cared-because he owne

e guests trickled out, Valencia stood on the

Luca enter

n't to

dn't

ved his cufflinks, and sat

on the cou

rned,

" she

es met

up more than I did. You d

dn't know w

said

her heels, walked to the

st time in days

se she wa

as too numb to fe