Five Years Buried — The Wedding Invitation

If Dante looked too closely, everything will be over. I pulled Theo behind me. Good night, Mr. Morelli. If you had something precious, would you ever abandon it?

My fingers tightened around Theo's hand. No. Why? Because I know what it means to be abandoned.

For a second, Dante's face changed, like the words hit somewhere deep. Dante, there you are! Valentina Russo walked into the garden, Dante's rumored fiancée, the woman who had once stood in my cheap apartment and said,

This trash hole is where Dante slept for two years? He really can suffer for the family. Her eyes landed on my face. For half a second, she panicked.

You must be the new singer Claire signed. Yes. And this cute little boy is yours? Theo hid behind my skirt, but kept glaring at Dante.

You're good with kids, Dante. Maybe we should have one after the wedding. Idante looked down at her hand on his arm, then he removed it. Wedding. His eyes stayed on me.

Yes. Next month. Dante reached into his jacket and handed me an invitation. You will come. It was not a request, but an order.