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I glanced over at Rocco and he gave me back a blank stare. Still, I told her the truth. “Yes. I would have a child now, but I’m also here to support Rocco’s wishes.”
She squeezed my hands. “Good…good. I needed that. I forgive you. I’m happy you’re my new daughter, and I welcome you. We will get through this as a family.”
I was relieved she forgave me and wanted us to get along. My eyes filled, and she lightly tugged my arms, getting me to stand up and give her a hug. Her warmth surrounded me, and I could so easily see Luca and Rocco basking in it.
Nico came to me and glowered. “I don’t forgive you for damning my son into a lifetime of a loveless marriage. Please, remove yourself, and let us figure things out on our own.”
“Don’t say another word to my wife,” Rocco hissed. “You areneverto speak to her like that again.”
I stiffened my back and pressed my lips together. There was nothing I could say that would change Nico’s mind about me or my family. For better or worse, Luca had been right. His decisions placed me on a difficult path. I would have to stand up for what I wanted. Rocco asked me to choose him and that was what I planned to do.
I straightened my spine and gazed around until my gaze connected with Rocco’s. “I’m not divorcing Rocco, and nothing you can say or do will change my mind.”
I was a Marini now, Rocco’s wife, and our destinies, like our vows, would be our bond.
Olivia’s smile broadened, as Nico seethed.
“Then, I don’t support your marriage tomyson,” he said in a terse tone.
“That’s enough,” Rocco hissed.
“Come on, son. Something else is up.” Nico gestured towards me. “Adelina’s calm and you lost everything. She knows something else we don’t.”
I grimaced. “I know nothing about the will. I’m just as surprised as everyone else.”
Luca left me just as vulnerable. If Rocco decided to divorce me, my family would lose everything. I’d have to marry Percy and live far away from Jacob.That’s if Percy doesn’t move him to a place in North Carolina where he doesn’t know anyone.
“I bet you wouldn’t be so accepting if you knew everything Luca was up to,” Nico said to me. “It’s time to tell the whole truth, Rocco. She deserves to know what she’s signed up for.”
“It’s not your place to tell her, Dad,” Rocco snapped.
My eyes shifted between them. “What truth?”
Rocco touched my back. “We’ll talk about it later, Adelina. Listen up, all of you. Adelina’s my wife, and you’ll respect her.Imarried her and she’s now a Marini. If you don’t want her, you won’t have me.”
Murmurs erupted around the room.
Rocco came close and lifted my chin, giving me a tender gaze I hadn’t expected, considering the magnitude of loss he experienced. After everything said and done against him, Rocco still had compassion for me and it touched my heart. “We’re going to have a meeting with Gunnar. I’ll tell you everything decided and our next step later. But don’t you worry. You’re my wife, and Ichoseto marry you today.” He said the last part loud enough for all to hear.
My eyes watered, and I lowered my head.
He wrapped his arms around me, and pressed a kiss on my forehead before letting me go.
Then I followed Ian out of the room.
“So what now?” I asked him when we reached the elevator.
He shrugged and gestured for me to follow him down the hallway. “They fight, cry, and Nico continues to hate on you for a bit. But in the end, they’ll move forward because they’re smart. I expect Rocco to use the power he has now to call a board meeting within the hour.”
“What about his film studio?” I asked.
“The changes are part of the new will and ties the funding to litigation.”
I grimaced. “Oh, no. Does Rocco have a chance?”
“He has a good argument,” Ian said and rubbed his jaw. “But Sears is a great lawyer, and he’s had more time to prepare to fight for the new will. He’s in for a big one since he never presented it to the board for approval. Rocco has a hard road ahead, and may have to put his dreams on hold.”
I swallowed hard. “Oh, that’s so unfair. I can’t believe Luca did this to him.”