Page 52 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

Lilies of all things! Even buried amongst other blossoms, that distinctive scent shoved her straight back to that day when she was ten, skinny and bereft, standing by her mother’s coffin.

To her that rich perfume meant loss and grief. Not new beginnings. But that was what today was—a new beginning. A step towards a bright future.

She pinned on a smile in case anyone could read her features through the lace.

Before her, six little flower girls paced down the aisle, pretty in pale pink. Not Stella’s favourite colour, but Signora Morosi had had her heart set on it and Stella had more on her mind than the bridal colour scheme.

She and Eduardo had agreed that today’s ceremony was for their parents more than them. Let them have the grand event they craved. Soon it would be over and she could relax.

Except the closer she got to the altar, the less relaxed she felt.

The long-sleeved lace dress with its train and heavy satin lining weighed her down. Though it had been made to measure, it felt too tight. She knew it was imagination yet the illusion was so strong. The waistband felt like a vice and the bodice constricted her lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Her tightly pinned hair pulled her scalp and would give her a headache soon.

Meanwhile that sick feeling in the pit of her stomach worsened. Nerves, that was all. Wasn’t every bride nervous on her wedding day?

This wasn’t your average wedding and hers wouldn’t be the sort of marriage she’d expected, but it would bring everything she’d craved for so long. She and Eduardo liked and respected each other. With him she’d have security and a real family of her own, something she’d missed since her mother’s death.

And professionally… Some of her tension faded. Professionally she’d finally have the opportunity she deserved after years of hard work, loyalty and outstanding performance.

Her father had promised and now, at last, he’d have to deliver. His promise had been public so he couldn’t renege.

Stella pushed her shoulders back and fixed her gaze on her husband-to-be. The other thing she and Eduardo shared, the thing that would make their marriage strong, was honesty. She’d been completely frank with him and he with her. To her surprise that frankness had drawn them together.

For too long she’d taken people at face value and believed easy promises. She’d mixed with people who didn’t keep their word. People who lied.

The bouquet shook in her left hand and she gripped it tighter, ignoring the ache in her chest.

She was tired of lies and half-truths, of vague assurances that were never made good. Of being taken for granted or downright duped.

As they neared the front of the huge congregation she saw her half-brothers looking the picture of sleek success, faces serious and well-fed bodies dressed in bespoke suits proclaiming their wealth. Neither caught her eye but that was no surprise. Meanwhile their wives looked as if they were calculating the cost of Stella’s bridal finery.

It was almost a relief to step up beside Eduardo and hand off the bouquet.

He smiled reassuringly and Stella told herself it would be okay. This would work. So when his hand closed around hers she didn’t flinch at his touch. She didn’t,definitelydidn’t, compare it to another’s.

Ignoring the buzzing in her ears and the sick feeling from being too close to an oversized arrangement of lilies, Stella squeezed his hand and turned to face the priest.

Even after her years living here and mastering Italian, the drone of church services took extra concentration. Today she didn’t try following the priest’s words. All that mattered were the vows they’d make. She concentrated on standing straight and controlling her breathing.

That was why she was late realising.

It was only when the priest looked past her, frowning, and Eduardo twisted to look over his shoulder, that she noticed the ceremony wasn’t following its schedule.

The vast space, filled to the brim with people, fell abruptly silent. Until she heard a rustle, a whisper that began at the back of the cathedral and rolled forward, growing in intensity.

The air thickened as static electricity flickered across her nape then down her spine.

She sensed someone approach.

Her heart gave one almighty thump, leaping so high it felt as if it almost reached her mouth. But she was no longer a gullible fool, imagining impossible things.

Whoever had caused this interruption, it couldn’t be—

‘What areyoudoing here?’ her father snarled. ‘This is a private family event.’

‘Hardly private,’ murmured a deep voice. ‘You’ve invited half the island.’

Stella froze, mouth gaping. Her heart seemed to still and her lungs stopped working. It couldn’t be. It couldn’t possibly be…