Page 81 of Beautiful Sinner

“Thank you.” I lean into Matteo’s arms, resting my head on his chest. It feels so good justbeingwith him.

“When are you getting married?”

“Today.”

She blinks at us. “Today? Well, no wonder you wanted the dress today.”

“It was last minute,” Matteo explains. “We would have planned if we had the chance.”

“A spontaneous wedding. Nothing more romantic than that.” She hands me the garment bag. “I wish you all the luck.”

The moment we’re outside, I realize something and gasp. “Rings. We need rings”

“Then let’s get rings.”

There’s a jewelry store not far from the bridal boutique that’s open. When we tell the sales associate that we’re getting marriedtoday and need rings, she has the same reaction as the woman at the bridal shop: surprise and but also thinks we’re romantic.

“Then let’s find you some rings.” She shows us many wedding bands until we decide on the perfect ones. Silver bands.

“You don’t have an engagement ring,” the woman says, nodding to my hand. Connor never gave me one, for which I was grateful. I never would have been able to look at it knowing I was being claimed by the wrong man.

But now I’m with Matteo. I want to be claimed by him.

“I’m going to get you an engagement ring,” he tells me. “So you’ll look at it and know you’re mine.”

I can’t stop the big smile from spreading across my face. All of this just feels so perfect. Nothing could take away my happiness.

I pick out an engagement ring that has a small, simple diamond in it. It’s a classic cut and looks more like something from the 1940s than present day.

“Are you sure you don’t want a bigger diamond?” Matteo asks. “I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

“I don’t want a bigger diamond. I don’t need one. This ring is perfect.”

“Then you’ll have it.” Matteo buys the ring but doesn’t place it on my finger. “I have an idea.”

We finish getting our wedding bands before we leave the jewelry store and go to a park nearby. It’s a beautiful day out, the trees are practically shining in the sun, and the air smells sweet.

And right before me, Matteo gets down on one knee and holds the engagement ring up. “I want to ask you properly. Will you marry me, Julia?”

“Yes.” Tears seep from my eyes. “Of course, of course, of course!” I wrap my arms around him and give him so many kisses, I lose count. Matteo laughs as he places the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly like it was meant to be there.

We spend a moment to gaze at each other, just lost in the happiness that is our love. The fact that we’re finally getting this chance means everything to me.

And that’s when I hear her.

“Julia?” It’s Inessa.

I spin around and see Inessa standing in the same park as me and Matteo. Next to her is Elena.

What is going on?

“Are your husbands with you?” Matteo asks, putting himself slightly in front of me as if Inessa and Elena are a danger to me.

“No,” Inessa says after a beat.

“We’re here by ourselves,” Elena explains.

“What are you doing here?” Matteo demands. “An hour outside the city?”