Page 86 of Married to the Ruthless Mafia Heir

"I had the most romantic venue ready. Your favorite flowers. Your favorite cake. I was going to propose in that kind of setting."

He glanced at the suit and dress I'd made, then looked back up at me.

"But you always have these unexpected surprises. So I'll have to say this here. Elena, I'm sorry the first wedding made you unhappy. I want a chance to make it right. And I want you by my side for the rest of my life. So—"

"Will you marry me, Elena? Become my only wife and true love, stay with me forever?"

His voice low and steady. I'd imagined this moment, but when the man I loved actually knelt before me and proposed, I couldn't hold back tears.

I wiped at the tears streaming down, voice catching. "I will..."

I held out my right hand, fingers trembling. Dante took my hand and slowly slid the ring onto my finger.

He stood, pulled me into a tight embrace, chin on top of my head. "I'm going to give you the biggest wedding, Elena."

"Alright." I buried my face in his chest, listening to his heartbeat, answered muffled. "I'll wait."

Morning of the wedding,I sat at the vanity. The dress hung on a rack behind me.

Maggie stood behind me, pinning up my hair. Her hands shook a little. I saw it in the mirror, reached back and pressed her hand.

"Mother."

"Hey." Maggie's voice came out hoarse. "I'm happy, Elena. I used to worry about you out there alone. Now watching you wear the dress you made, marry the man you love—I can finally stop worrying."

I looked at her reflection. "When you married Richard, what was it like?"

Maggie paused. The comb in her hand stilled. Then, "We didn't know each other long before we got married. It was more duty than love between us."

I listened, distracted. "Did you love him?"

"Love wasn't important to me." Maggie smiled, crow's feet smoothing out. "Because of him, you came into this world. That was the best gift."

She set down the comb and pulled out a delicate jewelry box from her pocket. Inside lay a pair of small earrings.

"This is my wedding gift." She gently placed the earrings in my palm. "Elena, I made these myself. This shape means happiness. I hope you'll always be happy."

I looked at the slightly crude earrings, nose stinging. "Maggie..."

"Don't cry." Maggie wiped the corner of my eye. "Elena, let me put them on you."

She carefully fastened the earrings, stepped back to look, and nodded with satisfaction. "Beautiful, Elena. Today you're the most beautiful bride."

I turned and hugged her, buried my face in her shoulder. "Maggie. Thank you."

"Silly girl." Maggie patted my back. "All right, the wedding's about to start. Let's go downstairs."

She made me laugh. I wiped my eyes. "Okay. Stay with me."

Dante's voice came from downstairs, carrying helpless laughter. "Elena, I've been waiting over half an hour."

Maggie and I looked at each other. Both smiled.

The manor lawn was covered in flowers. Same manor as the first wedding, same lawn, same well-dressed guests. But this time, everything was different.

New York's major families gathered again. No one said a word out of line. No one looked at us with sizing-up eyes. Everyone held wine glasses, wore genuine smiles, came up to Dante and me, offered blessings.

"Look at Dante smile. Marrying the woman he loves makes a man this happy?"