Page 16 of Modern Romance December 2025 5-8

She swiped the back of her hand across her lips as if to erase the kiss, though the heat of it lingered stubbornly, mocking her. “I didn’t ask you for anything.”

“And yet I want to admit that only point one percent of that was for the press. The rest was for me. For us.” He frowned, as if he didn’t like the taste of that word on his lips.Us…a feeling Mimi completely understood. “I simply wanted to test a theory.”

“What are the results?” she said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

“That we could have an altogether entertaining marriage if we so wished,” Renzo replied smoothly, his wicked grin unwavering.

Mimi’s fingers curled into fists at her sides. “You’re unbelievable. One blistering kiss and an unplanned baby does not guarantee marital bliss. And please, warn me next time so that I can prepare myself appropriately for the performance. Although I should tell you, the acting gene missed me.”

“If I told you I was going to kiss you senseless, then you’d have put your defenses up and ruined the spontaneity. That would hardly convince anyone, don’t you think?”

“I would still like to be included in the plan, please.”

Renzo chuckled, the sound infuriatingly rich and self-assured. “That’s a fair ask. Next time, I’ll tell you how much I want to kiss the hell out of you.” His gaze moved to her belly. “Like you, I don’t like surprises, and we’ve had enough to last a lifetime.”

“We never agreed on the sexual side of this arrangement,” she huffed in meager protest.

“Sì, but I’m a patient man, and the chase is half the fun.”

“You’re not chasing me,” she sputtered, the very idea making her body hum.

“Of course not. I’m talking about you chasing me, sliding one rung down at a time from your high-and-mighty ladder. Begging me to give you what you need.”

Empty air huffed out through her lips as Mimi wondered at the sheer audacious ego of the man. “I’ll never beg you for kisses or sex, not if you were the last man on earth. In case I didn’t make it clear earlier, you’re not the man I’d have chosen to have a child with.”

His smile dimmed, replaced by something unreadable. And Mimi had the most ridiculous notion that she had grazed the impenetrable arrogance and confidence that he wore like a second skin. But then the walls were back up, and he was the smooth, charming Renzo DiCarlo again. “I promise to not crow when you lose,bella. Should be easy since I will be too deep inside you to care about winning. Your surrender will be the true reward.”

Before she could respond, he turned on his heel, his stride confident as ever as he walked away, leaving her standing there, fuming.

And Mimi swore to herself that she wouldn’t surrender to the arrogant Italian, even though the vow felt just a little hollow beneath the lingering heat he had provoked in her body.

CHAPTER FOUR

Mimi stood bythe window in the vestry, staring at the light as it fractured across her dress. Her hands twisted nervously at the fabric, the silence in the room feeling heavier with each passing second.

The space was small and plain, in contrast to the magnificent architecture of the grand cathedral. Soft wooden pews lined the walls, a narrow stained-glass window casting muted hues of red and gold across the floor.

Despite her resolve to not soften towards her confounding bridegroom, she found herself utterly grateful to him. He had given her the quiet retreat she desperately needed, tucked away from the bustling preparations outside.

Both to catch her breath and to have a private chat with her stepdad.

The door creaked open, and Mimi turned, her chest heavy with emotion.

John stood there, his tough face etched with fatigue and concern. Usually a simple man, he looked out of place in his designer suit, and yet he was here. He’d traveled thousands of miles just so she wouldn’t be alone.

“You look beautiful, Mimi,” he said gruffly.

Mimi’s eyes filled up, probably turning her into a raccoon, but she didn’t care. “I’m… I don’t know what to say. I didn’t expect you to want to be here. After the last few months…” Her words choked and died in her throat, her stepsister’s name refusing to come to her lips.

He stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind him. “You think I wouldn’t be here for your big day?”

Her hands automatically went to her belly as she blinked the tears back. “I did this for her, John. This was supposed to be her baby. And it all fell apart.”

He closed the distance between them and took her hands in his, his own eyes filling with tears. “Of course you did this for her. You were a good sister to her, Mimi. Never doubt that, okay?” His grief slashed lines through his face. “She made it so hard some days to love her, but we loved her. And she knew that, Mimi. She knew how much she was loved. So we’ll remember that, yeah?”

Mimi nodded, his words chipping away at the grief and guilt, making her burden lighter. On an impulse, she threw her arms around his solid form, feeling like that little girl who had gazed up at him in wonder the day her mother had married him, and he had told her that they were a family now. “Thank you for coming. I can’t tell you how much your words mean to me. How much I struggled these past few months.”

He patted her back awkwardly, shocked no doubt by her sudden display of physical affection.