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“It was ethereal. You captivated me.”
“Oh my God. This is surreal. And to think I hate the memory of the party because I lost my Nana’s gold bracelet. She gave it to me before she died.”
Valentino smiles. “This bracelet?” He sinks his hand into his pocket and withdraws a gold bracelet. I gasp and yank it from his hand, studying it.
“This is it! Where did you find it?”
“I stole it,” he says. “It fell off your wrist, and I kept it because I knew you would marry me one day, and I would give it to you then.”
“This is unbelievable!”
“I almost gave it to you on our wedding night, but you were so mean to me, I changed my mind.”
“You thief!” I slap his arm playfully. “So… you’ve had my bracelet with you all this time?”
“I carry it on me everywhere.” He is telling the truth because despite being hostile and angry with me, he still had it in his pocket.
“I kinda don’t want to return it because it’s become my lucky charm. I’d feel quite strange without it now.”
“I am your lucky charm,” I answer sassily.
He nods. “You’re right. It was good to have when I thought I didn’t have you, but I have you now, don’t I?”
“You know what, I want you to have it.” I slip it back into his pocket. “I’m happy knowing it’s with you.”
“Thank you.” He lifts me into his arms. “Now that we’re on the subject of our wedding night, we’ve not had a proper honeymoon. How about a trip somewhere so hot you can walk around naked all day long?”
“Now that we’re discussing wedding nights, there’s something I must do.”
“What?” He backs me into the wall, his gaze roaming my breasts.
“Let’s take a trip to Paris.”
“The world is your oyster, sweetheart. We can go anywhere you want.”
“Paris. I want to go to Paris.”
Epilogue
FRANCESCA
ONE MONTH LATER
“Thank you, Vance,” I say airily, alighting the vehicle in front of The Pavilion Margaux, the most exclusive gambling House in Paris.
We make a pretty picture in black. I’m wearing a black knee-length dress that hugs my figure and highlights my curves. It’s a little unsuitable for the cold weather, but in a few weeks, I won’t be able to wear any more figure-hugging dresses like this for a long time, but Valentino doesn’t know that yet. He’s wearing a black suit, and he looks phenomenal as usual.
“I don’t know why you chose to come here,” Valentino whispers into my ear as we walk into the building.
He doesn’t know, but I know exactly why I chose to come here.
When we enter, I immediately hear the smooth, sultry voice of the one woman I’ve always wanted to meet again. Nina. This woman walked into my house and dared to make me feel small in my own home by telling me she fucked my husband. I can’tbelieve I let her walk away without spilling her blood. I was naive then; I no longer am.
“I came for the music,” I tell Valentino, pulling him to the front of the crowd.
He narrows his eyes at me.
“So, are we here to dance? Or do you have something in mind?”