Page 99 of Twisted Trust

“That’s the spirit.” She chuckles. “I know it’s terrifying. Standing up in front of all those people and declaring your love for someone, knowing that all those eyes are on you?—”

“You’re not helping,” I interrupt gently.

“What I mean to say is that the only eyes, the only attention, and the only opinion you should care about are Levi’s. He’s theonly one that matters, dear. Everyone else is just white noise. Like a passing crowd in the street. And while commitment is scary, divorce is an option.”

“Marcella!”

She chuckles heartily. “I’m just saying! I know my son and I know this life. You have to be sure.”

Our eyes meet as she leans back and my heart pounds. When this was a business deal, I was sure and I didn’t care. But it’s so different now. Now, I do care for Levi. I love him.

Scott is growing attached to him, and I’ve gained this whole family who are working to protect me. This world of guns and drugs and money is what I tried to escape, but now I want it.

I want Levi.

I want to be Mrs. Gallo.

And it scares me how badly I want this to be real.

“I’m sure,” I say softly. “I just never envisioned this for myself.”

“A wedding?”

I fight tears as I smile shakily. “A family.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Marcella suddenly embraces me tightly. “Don’t you dare cry, you’ll ruin all my hard work!”

Laughing softly, I nod. “I’ll try not to, thank you.”

We hug for a few minutes, then once I regain composure, Marcella resumes my makeup. She’s gentler than before and a constant smile rests across her lips as she works. It gives me time to calm myself down and by the time she’s lined my eyes, painted my lips, and warmed my cheeks with blush, I’m more in control.

“Dress time?” Marcella beams at me while clutching my knee.

“Dress time.”

The dress is absolutely stunning. I expected something purchased from the boutique where Levi and I had our most revealing conversation but as I step into silk fabric that’s sosoft it feels like a whisper against my skin and lace sleeves that cling like a comforting second skin, Marcella reveals the dress is handmade.

“You’re joking!”

“No,” she smiles as she moves around me and gently guides up the zipper under my arm. “As soon as I realized how deeply Levi loved you, I wanted only the best for my daughter-in-law. So I reached out to a designer who based the design off the pictures I sent. Do you like it?”

She finishes zipping me up, fluffs out the skirt, and then turns me to face the mirror.

The lace sleeves cut off at my shoulders, connecting with sheer sashes to the heart-shaped bodice hugging my body. Gemstones around the rise of my bust sweep down to my waist, where they become scattered like raindrops. Each one is a pastel color, ranging from pink, blue, purple, to green. From there, they kiss the sheer satin sash at my waist and the colors bleed into the silk folded skirt that meets the floor. The blend of white with colors I love brings a tear to my eye.

“I saw how much effort you put into your engagement party and how colorful everything was,” Marcella says softly. “That and a few conversations with Scott told me all I needed to know.”

She waits beside me for an answer I can’t give because emotion chokes me. Facing her, I clutch her hands. “It’s beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s all I need to hear, my dear,” she says with a trembling smile. “It’s the least I can do for you.”

When we first met, I was sure she hated me. Now I’m overwhelmingly relieved that she’s here. “Thank you.”

Suddenly, the door to my room bursts in and Scott rushes inside wearing a pastel blue suit with a white shirt. “Mommy!”

“Darling!”

“Wow!” He stops just as Marcella catches him. “Mommy, you look like a princess!”