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00:00Every Thanksgiving, the unmarried women in my family went to church to draw lots.
00:04A red slip meant you could board your man's boat and get married.
00:08A white one meant waiting another year.
00:10I'd drawn for ten years.
00:12Every single slip was white.
00:18The other women always laughed at me.
00:24Marry her?
00:25Please.
00:27Who'd want an old, ugly, fat girl like her?
00:31The night before my 11th Thanksgiving drawing, I decided to cheat.
00:36I grabbed a fistful of red slips and snuck over to my fiancé Vito Marino's house.
00:43Then I heard him whispering to his brother Tony in the courtyard.
00:46Make sure Adele pulls a white slip tomorrow.
00:49Swap it out.
00:51Bella's not well.
00:53I'm not leaving her side yet.
00:56Tony sounded confused.
00:58What if she snaps and jumps on some other guy's boat?
01:02Vito laughed softly, completely sure of himself.
01:05Let's be real.
01:06Look at her.
01:07An old, ugly, fat ass.
01:10Nobody's stepping up for that but me.
01:14Relax, Tony.
01:16The girl buys whatever I sell.
01:19Once I get Bella on deck, just tell Adele her grandma had a heart attack.
01:23She'll run right back home.
01:27I'll play it straight next year.
01:29Let her have the red slip.
01:31Then I'm buying drinks for all the boys in the family.
01:34Leading the red slip scattered on the ground, I quietly went home.
01:38I never told Vito my grandmother only had three days left.
01:42Her final wish was to see me married.
01:44If he refused to marry me again this year, I'd have no choice.
01:46I would board another man's boat.
01:48At the harbor, my father, Don Salvadori, was ordering his men to inspect every vessel.
01:52All the women arrived in brand new custom gowns.
01:54I was the only one wearing a dress from ten years ago.
01:57The same red dress I'd worn to every drawing.
02:00After ten wears and ten washes, the color had faded.
02:06Ten straight years of white slips.
02:09Keep your distance before you catch her curse.
02:13Look at the size of her.
02:15Even if she pulls red, no way Vito's claiming that.
02:20I pretended not to hear them.
02:23Adele.
02:24Remember the vow you made at your grandma's deathbed.
02:26I know, Papa.
02:27I'm boarding a boat this year.
02:28One way or another.
02:30Suddenly, a wave of shouting cut our conversation short.
02:34Vito had arrived with his brothers.
02:35Together, they stepped onto the raised platform above the harbor.
02:40His brothers surrounded a pale, slender woman as if she were a precious treasure.
02:45It was Bella.
02:47And she was wearing a brand new gown.
02:49I'd seen Vito's mother sewing that exact dress.
02:54I had this made for you.
02:55Vito had hinted.
02:57I'd been secretly thrilled.
03:00I'll drop the weight.
03:02I swear I'll make it fit.
03:04No, no.
03:04It's custom tailored for you.
03:06You don't need to lose a single pound.
03:07If I had an overslastion, I gave up on losing weight entirely.
03:10At his suggestion, I would have shown up at the harbor in casual clothes today.
03:14Asking for my gown in front of everyone, only to find it several sizes too small.
03:18The Don's daughter would have been publicly humiliated.
03:20And my father would have lost all respect.
03:23By then, the other women had surrounded Bella.
03:28Why is Bella even in the draw?
03:29She gets on Vito's boat every single year and never commits.
03:32She's stealing a spot.
03:33Disqualify her.
03:34Bella coughed softly before she could respond.
03:36Vito draped his coat around her shoulders.
03:39It's chilly by the water.
03:41Don't catch a cold.
03:42Bella's just lucky.
03:43Pulls red every single year.
03:45Besides, there's no law in this family that says boarding equals a wedding ring.
03:48Not happy with it?
03:48Try your own luck.
03:50Just don't go crying if you get a white one.
03:52Everyone immediately turned toward me.
03:54After all, I was the only woman unlucky enough to draw white ten years in a row.
03:57And I was Vito's fiancé.
04:00Every year, I'd watched another woman board his boat.
04:05In the past, I would have confronted him,
04:06thrown a fit to get Bella disqualified,
04:09and loudly listed every time he played favorites.
04:11Last year was the worst.
04:13I grabbed Bella and shoved her into the river.
04:18Vito took her to a private clinic.
04:20Then he and his men kicked down my front door.
04:23My father wasn't home,
04:24so they tied me up and dragged me outside.
04:33You stay in that water, Adele.
04:35You don't come up until Bella's fever breaks.
04:38If you want the Merino name, you play by my rules.
04:40And you treat Bella with the respect you'd give an elder.
04:43By the time my father arrived,
04:45I'd passed out in the water.
04:48But now...
04:51I don't need it anymore.
04:56I stayed out of their argument.
04:58Instead, I calmly stepped up to the drawing box.
05:01No one's drawing?
05:03Then I'll be first.
05:05Panic flashed across Vito's face.
05:08The excuse he'd prepared died on his lips.
05:11My composure had caught him off guard,
05:13without an outburst from me to seize on.
05:15He couldn't do what he'd done in years past.
05:18Accuse me,
05:19then demand that the Don punish me by making me draw last.
05:22If I went first,
05:23how could he rig the box?
05:25What if I actually drew red?
05:29Vito walked over and grabbed my hand.
05:32Adele,
05:33you know Bella can't handle the cold.
05:36Why don't we let her go first?
05:39Besides,
05:40I'd like a little more time with you.
05:44I pulled my numb hand away.
05:46Then I looked at the thick coat around Bella's shoulders.
05:49I'd made it for Vito's birthday last year.
05:52I'd stayed up all night sewing it.
05:54Back then,
05:54I was so in love that I shaped every cuttin' like a rose.
05:58Now,
05:58just looking at it made my eyes burn.
06:00I get cold too.
06:01I'd rather draw first.
06:03Vito seemed to miss out of my head.
06:05He took my hands in his,
06:07trying to warm them.
06:08Then why didn't you bundle up in weather like this?
06:11Come on, Adele.
06:12Don't make this difficult.
06:15I know you still haven't forgiven Bella.
06:19The doctor says Bella only needs one more year to recover.
06:22Give me one more year.
06:25Then I swear I'll marry you.
06:26Just wait for me.
06:27Vito,
06:27do you really think you're my only choice?
06:30He chucked under his breath.
06:31Then he tied a colorful braided bracelet around my wrist.
06:35You've spent ten years waiting for me.
06:37What man in all of Sicily would dare take you aboard his boat?
06:40His hand closed around my thick wrist.
06:42Be honest, Adele.
06:44At your size,
06:45who else would ever choose you?
06:48He spoke like he was throwing scraps to a stray dog.
06:50So he knew I'd been waiting all along.
06:53He just used my love against me because he knew he could.
06:56Worse,
06:56he truly believed no one else would want me.
06:58Keep the bracelet.
07:00Be a good girl, Adele.
07:04All around us,
07:06young couples were exchanging colorful braided bracelets.
07:09Every year,
07:10I'd made one for Vito myself.
07:12But he never wore them.
07:14He just kept the same faded red string tied to his wrist.
07:17I thought mine just weren't good enough,
07:19so I paid a professional jeweler to teach me
07:21until the day I spotted Vito and Bella in a jewelry store.
07:25As Vito browsed the displays,
07:26unslately red slides.
07:28You're still wearing that?
07:29I made it for you when we're little.
07:31Bella playfully tugged at that very same red string.
07:34You're still wearing that?
07:35I made it for you when we were little.
07:37Vito smiled but said nothing.
07:40He tucked the string beneath his sleeve.
07:44That was when I understood.
07:46No matter how hard I tried,
07:48I could never compete with her.
07:50I'd stood in the back of the shop,
07:52watching them choose those matching bracelets.
07:55The exact same one he gave me.
07:58With that thought,
07:59I yanked it off and threw it at him.
08:05I don't want some cheap,
08:06mass-produced bracelet, Vito.
08:08I'm not waiting another year.
08:10My grandma's one wish
08:11is to see me married this year.
08:13If Bella boards your boat this year,
08:15we're done!
08:16Vito didn't take me seriously.
08:18He just gave me a knowing smile.
08:20So that's what this is really about.
08:22You're jealous of Bella.
08:24Bella is like my older sister.
08:26I've already explained that.
08:27She practically raised me.
08:29You've drawn white for ten years!
08:31What's one more?
08:35Just wait.
08:38I'll explain it to your grandmother.
08:41Then he made a call.
08:43Her fury breaks.
08:44I knew the number on the screen by heart.
08:46Her brows jump high.
08:48It belonged to Grandpa Margaret's caregiver.
08:52I panicked and lose control
08:53and reached for his phone.
08:58Talk to me, not her!
09:00She's too sick for this!
09:01I'd visited her in the hospital just last week.
09:04Her body was covered in tubes,
09:06but she was still worried about me.
09:08I couldn't stop myself from crying.
09:11I was the one thing she couldn't let go of.
09:13Struggling for every breath,
09:14she forced out words.
09:17Ella married.
09:18My mother stood beside her,
09:19wiping away tears.
09:20Your grandmother can't bear the thought
09:22that after ten years,
09:23you still haven't gotten on a boat.
09:24She says she'll make the Marinos answer for it.
09:26If it happens again this year,
09:28stay away for a while.
09:29Seeing you like that,
09:30her heart can't take it.
09:32I knew exactly what Vito would tell her.
09:35I clamped my hand over his phone.
09:39You win.
09:41Bella goes first.
09:42Just hang up.
09:49Vito scoffed and ended the call.
09:51Now you're lying about Margaret, too?
09:54Lie?
09:55Actually,
09:56he had every reason to think that.
09:58Last month,
09:58I stood in the cold wind
10:00all night
10:01until I landed Mayo Eni in the hospital.
10:04All to stop him
10:05from taking Bella
10:06to the country estate
10:09to pick strawberries.
10:12Last week,
10:13when he went to the Rosefields
10:15to take pictures with Bella,
10:16I called him,
10:17crying,
10:18and claimed
10:19I was sick.
10:23Just three days ago,
10:25I showed up at his door
10:26with an apple pie
10:28and told him
10:29my father needed to see him.
10:32And there had been
10:32countless other excuses.
10:34I cut my hand.
10:35I hurt my leg.
10:36My stomach ached.
10:38Anything to make him
10:38spend a little more time with me.
10:40Over the past ten years,
10:42I'd done far too many foolish things.
10:45So I didn't argue.
10:46I simply let go of his phone
10:48and stepped away
10:49from the drawing box.
10:51Vito waved his hand.
10:52Bella walked over
10:53and stopped in front of me.
10:56I'll go ahead, Adele.
10:58Who knows?
10:58I might be your lucky charm.
11:02Easy, Bella.
11:03If she pulls white again,
11:04she'll say you jinxed her.
11:07Hey, the draw decides.
11:09Can't blame me for that.
11:11Bella's gaze swept over me.
11:12She was waiting for me
11:14to lose my temper.
11:15But I didn't.
11:16I stood quietly
11:17to the side
11:19and waited
11:20for her to draw.
11:22Apparently bored
11:23by my lack of reaction,
11:25she reached into the box
11:26and turned to Vito.
11:27So what was all that about?
11:31Margaret's ill.
11:32I'll take Adele to see her
11:33once we're off the boat.
11:38Oops, I got red.
11:43Bella couldn't hide
11:44the smugness on her face.
11:46Oh, sorry, Adele.
11:48Guess I'm sailing
11:49with Vito again.
11:52Before I could respond,
11:54Vito stepped between us,
11:55shielding her.
11:56Those are Cicely's rules.
11:58Don't make a scene
11:59because you lost.
12:02It was luck, Adele.
12:03Don't be a sore loser.
12:09Who's been picking
12:09on the girl I raised?
12:11Not even the Dawn's daughter
12:12gets a pass.
12:15Vito's mother, Rosa,
12:17shouted as she hurried toward us.
12:18She pulled Bella
12:19into her arms.
12:21Come here, sweetheart.
12:22You're getting on that boat,
12:24just like I promised.
12:29No one lays a finger on you.
12:30Not while I'm here.
12:34My heart ached
12:35as I watched Vito and Rosa
12:37shield Bella behind them.
12:39For ten years,
12:41I'd done everything I could
12:42to please the Marino family.
12:44I memorized every birthday
12:45and prepared gifts.
12:47Whenever I visited,
12:48I rushed to cook and clean,
12:49desperate to win
12:50Rosa's approval.
12:52I even memorized
12:53all of Bella's likes
12:54and dislikes.
12:58But what had I gotten
12:59in return?
12:59They always assumed
13:00I was throwing a tantrum.
13:02They believed I should be grateful
13:03that Vito was willing
13:04to marry an old,
13:05ugly, fat girl like me.
13:07But I was only fighting
13:08for the respect
13:09and commitment
13:09I deserved as his fiancée.
13:11My father stood behind me
13:12and let out a heavy sigh.
13:13These are the people
13:14you've spent ten years
13:15trying to win over.
13:16We just want you happy, sweetheart.
13:18And that man
13:19doesn't deserve you.
13:21I'm drawing, Dad.
13:22My answer was so different
13:23from the ones I'd given
13:24in previous years
13:24that he looked surprised.
13:26That's my girl.
13:27Red or white?
13:29I'll be right here.
13:31I looked up at
13:32Atpicture 2 and his mother.
13:34Right.
13:34The rules are the rules.
13:36Let's do this
13:37the Sicilian way.
13:38Now step aside.
13:39It's my turn.
13:42As I walked past
13:43Atpicture 3,
13:45she froze.
13:47Then she grabbed my sleeve.
13:49What do you think
13:49you're doing, Adele?
13:52Bella already has
13:53Vito's boat.
13:55You sail with another man,
13:57you'll never marry Vito.
14:01No son of mine
14:02is marrying
14:02some filthy, fat girl!
14:05Mom, don't make this worse.
14:06Vito panicked.
14:07One was his mother,
14:08the other was his fiancée.
14:10He had never imagined
14:11marrying anyone but me.
14:12He reached out
14:13to block my path,
14:14but the coldness
14:15in my eyes
14:15made him pull his hand back.
14:17I stepped around
14:18all three of them.
14:23My grandmother can't wait,
14:25and I won't anymore.
14:30I gave you ten years, Vito.
14:33You're not getting one more.
14:36For some reason,
14:37panic seized him.
14:39He planted himself
14:40in front of the drawing box.
14:41Why now?
14:42You've always let it go before.
14:46Look around this dock, Adele.
14:50Who's going to risk
14:51putting you on his boat?
14:53Who here wants
14:54a fat bride?
14:57Will anyone want her
14:58on his boat?
14:59Speak up!
14:59I dare you!
15:02Vito swept a cold gaze
15:04across the dock.
15:05Every man lowered his head.
15:07Who would dare marry me?
15:09All of Cicely knew
15:10I'd spent ten years
15:11chasing after Vito.
15:12Worse, I was fat.
15:13Any man who married
15:14a woman like me
15:14would become a laughingstock.
15:16No one dared
15:16let me board his boat.
15:17But I didn't care.
15:18I had never intended
15:19to marry any of them.
15:23Vito turned back to me,
15:24a pleading look in his eyes.
15:26Bella was already
15:27on his boat,
15:27making herself comfortable.
15:29There's always next year, Adele.
15:32Vito doesn't want
15:33some man taking me away.
15:34Can you blame him?
15:35We're family.
15:36And when you marry him,
15:37that'll make us sisters.
15:39We're family.
15:41Wouldn't want to pull red
15:42and find out
15:43no one will take you.
15:45She covered her mouth
15:46and laughed.
15:47The families who had
15:48always been at odds
15:48with my father
15:49laughed along with her.
15:50I looked at my father's
15:52furious face,
15:52overwhelmed with guilt.
15:54For ten years,
15:55I'd bent over backward
15:56to marry Vito.
15:56I hadn't just humiliated myself.
15:58I'd brought shame
15:59on my own family.
16:00I'd backed down
16:01far too many times.
16:02I refused to spend
16:03the rest of my life
16:04doing it.
16:05I shoved Vito aside
16:06and reached into
16:07the drawing box.
16:08Countless paper slips
16:09swirled inside
16:10like darting fish.
16:12Before I could catch one,
16:14Vito pinned my hand down.
16:15Think this through, Adele.
16:18I already have
16:19a Bella aboard.
16:21Even if you get red,
16:22you're not getting
16:23on my boat.
16:24I nodded.
16:25I'm sure.
16:25I'm sailing today,
16:27with or without you.
16:30Adele, do this
16:31and I'm not going
16:32with you
16:33to see Margaret.
16:35Is this really
16:36how you want
16:37to let her
16:38down?
16:41I let out
16:42a soft laugh
16:42and looked Vito
16:43straight in the eye.
16:44Why do you think
16:45my grandmother
16:45liked you, Vito?
16:46She only liked you
16:47because I did.
16:49And now that I'm
16:50done with you,
16:51so is she.
16:52Now get out of my way,
16:53I have a slip to draw.
16:56My father signaled
16:57his men to drag
16:58Vito away.
16:59Vito glared at me,
17:00his eyes burning
17:01with resentment.
17:01Ten years, Adele!
17:03You've built
17:03your whole life
17:04around me.
17:05I'm the only person
17:06you belong with
17:06and you know it!
17:08Ten years.
17:09Ten white slips.
17:11Today will be
17:12no different.
17:13I ignored him
17:14and focused on the slips
17:14inside the box.
17:15The white slips
17:16were smooth.
17:16The red slips
17:17were rough.
17:19So the drawing
17:20had never been
17:20anything more than
17:20a game for everyone's
17:21amusement.
17:22Only a fool like me
17:23had been given
17:23an entire box
17:24of white slips
17:24every year.
17:25All this time
17:25I thought I was
17:26just unlucky.
17:27God.
17:27Ten years.
17:29Ten white slips.
17:30They turned my entire
17:31life into a cruel joke.
17:32My fingers finally
17:33brushed against a rough
17:34surface I had never
17:35felt before.
17:36I pulled out the slip.
17:40The entire dock
17:42erupted.
17:43It's red!
17:44Adele drew red!
17:48No!
17:49That's impossible!
17:51Vito broke free
17:52and knocked over
17:53the drawing box.
17:55Red and white slips
17:56scattered across
17:57the ground.
17:58He stared frantically
17:59at his younger
18:00brother, Tony.
18:02No!
18:03There wasn't
18:04supposed to be
18:04any red!
18:05Tony shrunk
18:06behind the crowd
18:06refusing to meet
18:07his eyes.
18:08There had been
18:09too many people
18:10around the platform.
18:11He had never
18:12had a chance
18:12to tamper
18:13with the box.
18:16My daughter
18:17drew red.
18:19The families
18:20will honor it.
18:23Adele,
18:24go.
18:27The water
18:28before me
18:29was empty.
18:29Every other
18:30boat had
18:31retreated to the
18:31side.
18:32Vito brightened
18:33again.
18:33Vito stood
18:34in front of
18:35his own boat.
18:36Ask me nicely,
18:37Adele,
18:38and I'll put
18:38Bella ashore.
18:40I lowered my
18:41gaze to the
18:42ripples in the
18:42canal and
18:43ignored him.
18:43A pitch-black
18:44boat was slowly
18:45gliding towards
18:46me.
18:46Panic flashed
18:47across Vito's
18:48face.
18:48He climbed aboard
18:49and grabbed
18:49Bella.
18:50It was too
18:51late.
18:51Bella,
18:52hurry,
18:52get off the
18:52boat.
18:52While they
18:53tugged at
18:53each other
18:53and argued,
18:54the boat
18:54came to a
18:55stop.
18:55Bella,
18:55I'm taking
18:56Adele.
18:59A large
18:59hand marked
19:00by an old
19:00scar reached
19:01out to me,
19:02steadying me
19:03as I stepped
19:04aboard.
19:06A brand-new
19:07red coat
19:08settled over
19:08my shoulders,
19:09wrapping me
19:10in warmth.
19:11My old
19:11classmate
19:11Luca's
19:12deep voice
19:12sounded above
19:13me.
19:13Sorry I
19:13kept you
19:14waiting,
19:14Adele.
19:14I'm still
19:15getting the
19:15hang of
19:15rowing.
19:16It's cold
19:17out.
19:17This should keep
19:18you warm
19:18for now.
19:19I haven't
19:20been home
19:20in years,
19:21so I'm a
19:22little rusty
19:22on the
19:22traditions.
19:23My mother
19:24said,
19:24this is what
19:25women are
19:25supposed to
19:25wear today.
19:27It's brand
19:27new.
19:28She made
19:29it herself.
19:33Then Luca
19:34raised his
19:34voice so
19:35everyone on
19:35Char could
19:36hear.
19:36Who says
19:36no one
19:37would choose
19:37Adele?
19:41I would.
19:44I like
19:44the big
19:44girls.
19:46With that,
19:47he sat at
19:47the bow
19:47and started
19:48rowing.
19:50Before I
19:51could even
19:51thank him,
19:51the boat
19:52rocked and
19:52sent me
19:52tumbling into
19:53my seat.
19:54Sit tight.
19:54We're off.
19:57I pulled
19:58on the
19:58coat and
19:58stayed
19:58perfectly
19:59still.
19:59It was
20:00my first
20:00time on
20:00a boat.
20:01The
20:01feeling was
20:02completely
20:02new.
20:03The boat
20:04sped away
20:04as swiftly
20:05as it
20:05had arrived.
20:06Before
20:07the crowd
20:07on the
20:07platform
20:07could even
20:08react,
20:08we were
20:09already
20:09gone.
20:11Vito
20:11looked up,
20:11but I
20:12was nowhere
20:12in sight.
20:18In a
20:18panic,
20:19he jumped
20:19into
20:19his
20:19boat
20:20and
20:20rowed
20:20it
20:20after
20:20us.
20:24Bella
20:24was left
20:24alone
20:25on shore,
20:25her eyes
20:26red with
20:26rage.
20:28She
20:28grabbed
20:28Rosa's
20:29arm and
20:29complained.
20:32Rosa,
20:33look at
20:33Vito.
20:35I drew
20:35red.
20:36He can't
20:37just leave
20:37me here.
20:37I'm not
20:38letting him
20:38get away
20:38with this.
20:39Rosa
20:40was panicking
20:40too.
20:41She
20:41looked up
20:41at my
20:41father.
20:44Don,
20:45Adela
20:45is
20:45Vito's
20:46fiance.
20:46We'll
20:47start
20:47preparing
20:47their
20:47wedding
20:47immediately.
20:49She
20:50desperately
20:50needed
20:50an
20:51answer.
20:52Rosa
20:52had only
20:52wanted
20:52to break
20:53my
20:53stubborn
20:53streak.
20:55She
20:56never
20:56expected
20:56things
20:56to turn
20:57out
20:57like
20:57this.
21:00Remembering
21:00how devastated
21:01Vito had
21:01looked,
21:02she felt
21:02regret
21:03for the
21:03first
21:03time.
21:05This
21:06shouldn't
21:06have
21:06happened.
21:08I
21:08never
21:08should
21:08have
21:09listened
21:09to
21:09Bella.
21:10Adela
21:11is
21:11the
21:11girl
21:11I
21:11chose.
21:14My
21:14father
21:14let
21:15out
21:15a
21:15cold
21:15laugh.
21:16Where
21:16was
21:17that
21:17concern
21:17before?
21:19You
21:19said
21:19it
21:19yourself.
21:20The
21:21family
21:21follows
21:22the
21:22rules.
21:23Adela
21:23did
21:23exactly
21:24what
21:24she
21:24was
21:24supposed
21:24to
21:24do.
21:26The
21:26man
21:27whose
21:27boat
21:27she
21:27boarded
21:27is
21:28now
21:28her
21:28future
21:28husband.
21:30You
21:30knew
21:31Adela
21:31was
21:31Vito's
21:31fiance.
21:33So
21:33why
21:33didn't
21:33you
21:34prepare
21:34their
21:34wedding
21:34at
21:34any
21:35point
21:35during
21:35the
21:35past
21:36ten
21:36years?
21:36Each
21:37question
21:37struck
21:37Rosa
21:38where
21:38it
21:41and
21:42you
21:42still
21:42rigged
21:43Adela's
21:43drawing
21:43box.
21:44You
21:44don't
21:45deserve
21:45to
21:45say
21:45her
21:45name.
21:55You
21:56wanted
21:56Bella
21:56by
21:57your
21:57side
21:57while
21:58stringing
21:58Adela
21:59along.
22:00You
22:01stole
22:01ten
22:02years
22:03of
22:03her
22:03life.
22:06And
22:07believe
22:07me,
22:08I'll
22:08make
22:09you
22:09answer
22:09for
22:10every
22:10single
22:10one.
22:14Remember
22:14this,
22:15Adela
22:16is not
22:16some
22:16piece
22:16of
22:17merchandise
22:17for
22:17the
22:17Marinos
22:18to
22:18take
22:18or
22:18leave.
22:19She
22:19is
22:19the
22:19princess
22:20of
22:20the
22:20Moretti
22:21family.
22:22As
22:22of
22:22today,
22:23Adela
22:23and
22:23Vito's
22:23engagement
22:24is
22:24over.
22:26Rosa
22:27shook
22:27so hard
22:28she could
22:28barely
22:29stand.
22:30Bella
22:31stepped
22:31forward
22:32to
22:32support
22:32her,
22:33but
22:33Rosa
22:34shoved
22:34her
22:34away.
22:36Go.
22:37Just
22:37go.
22:39When
22:40Vito
22:40gets
22:40back,
22:40he'll
22:41blame
22:41you for
22:41this.
22:43Leave
22:43now while
22:44you still
22:44can.
22:45Rosa
22:45let out
22:45a long
22:46sass.
22:47She
22:47knew
22:47Vito's
22:47temper.
22:48If he
22:48failed to
22:49catch up
22:49to me,
22:49he would
22:50come back
22:50ready to
22:50tear
22:51everything
22:51apart.
22:51The
22:52parade
22:52route
22:52passed
22:53beneath
22:53nine
22:53stone
22:54bridges.
22:56Married
22:56women
22:56waited
22:57on each
22:57bridge,
22:58tossing
22:58scented
22:59sachets
22:59onto the
22:59boats
23:00below.
23:01The
23:01first
23:02bridge
23:02was
23:02already
23:02in
23:03sight.
23:04From
23:04a
23:04distance,
23:05I
23:05could
23:05see
23:05two
23:05figures
23:06waiting
23:06on
23:06top.
23:07Luca
23:08looked
23:08back
23:08at
23:08me.
23:09Adela,
23:10those
23:10are
23:10my
23:10mother
23:10and
23:10grandmother.
23:11Don't
23:11be
23:11nervous.
23:15They
23:16both
23:16adore
23:16you.
23:20When
23:20we
23:20were in
23:21school,
23:21they
23:21used
23:21to
23:21sneak
23:22over
23:23just
23:24to
23:24catch
23:24a
23:24glimpse
23:24of
23:25you.
23:28When
23:28they
23:28heard
23:29you
23:29agreed
23:29to
23:29board
23:29my
23:29boat,
23:30they
23:30were
23:30thrilled.
23:32The
23:33tension
23:33inside
23:33me
23:34slowly
23:34faded.
23:36When
23:36I
23:36called
23:37Luca
23:37yesterday,
23:38I'd
23:38been
23:38a
23:38nervous
23:38grec.
23:39All
23:40my
23:40male
23:40friends
23:40already
23:41had
23:41someone
23:41they
23:41wanted
23:42to
23:42choose.
23:43I
23:43didn't
23:43know
23:43who
23:44else
23:44I
23:44could
23:44ask
23:44for
23:44help.
23:49Then
23:49I
23:50happened
23:50to
23:50see
23:50that
23:50Luca
23:51had
23:51posted
23:51his
23:51location.
23:52He
23:52was
23:53back
23:53in
23:53Sicily.
23:54I'd
23:55heard
23:55he'd
23:55finished
23:55his
23:55studies
23:56in
23:56New
23:56York
23:56and
23:57planned
23:57to
23:57settle
23:57here.
23:59So
24:00I
24:00took
24:00a
24:00chance
24:00and
24:01called
24:01him.
24:04To
24:04my
24:05surprise,
24:05he
24:05agreed
24:06immediately.
24:06He
24:06even
24:06started
24:07asking
24:07me
24:07about
24:07all
24:08the
24:08Sicilian
24:08traditions.
24:10Adele,
24:10this is
24:11a big
24:11deal.
24:11I'm
24:11honored
24:12you
24:12chose
24:12me.
24:14We
24:15used
24:15to
24:15be
24:15best
24:15friends
24:15in
24:16school.
24:18Why
24:19did
24:19you
24:19suddenly
24:19pull
24:19away
24:20from
24:20me?
24:23I
24:23couldn't
24:23bring
24:23myself
24:24to
24:24tell
24:24him.
24:26Back
24:26then,
24:27I'd
24:27started
24:27having
24:28feelings
24:28I
24:28didn't
24:29understand.
24:31He
24:32was
24:32at
24:32the
24:32top
24:32of
24:32our
24:32class.
24:33My
24:34grades
24:34were
24:34terrible.
24:36I
24:36was
24:36afraid
24:37that
24:37if
24:37I
24:37said
24:37anything,
24:38I
24:38might
24:39lose
24:39him
24:39as
24:39a
24:39friend
24:39too.
24:43But
24:44by the
24:44time I
24:44finally
24:44sorted
24:45out
24:45my
24:45feelings,
24:46we
24:46were
24:46already
24:46living
24:46in
24:47different
24:47places.
24:47He
24:48was
24:48in
24:48New
24:48York,
24:48and
24:49I
24:49was
24:49in
24:49Sicily.
24:52So I
24:52buried
24:52those
24:53half-formed
24:53feelings
24:53and built
24:54a life
24:54for myself
24:55here.
24:55Luca
24:56was
24:56wearing
24:56traditional
24:56clothing
24:57today
24:57too.
24:58His
24:58black
24:59jacket
24:59hugged
24:59his
24:59muscular
25:00frame
25:00as he
25:00drove
25:01the oar
25:04bridge.
25:05A
25:05red
25:05sachet
25:06landed
25:06inside
25:07the
25:07boat
25:07carrying
25:08the
25:08smell
25:08of
25:08lavender.
25:09I
25:09looked
25:10up.
25:10The
25:11sunlight
25:11filtered
25:11through
25:12in
25:12shifting
25:12patches
25:13hiding
25:13their
25:13faces.
25:14But
25:15their
25:15bright
25:15laughter
25:16filled
25:16me
25:16with
25:16warmth.
25:17I
25:17waved
25:17to
25:18them.
25:20And
25:21for some
25:21reason,
25:22I found
25:22myself looking
25:23forward to
25:23the rest
25:23of the
25:24journey.
25:24I
25:25had no
25:25idea
25:25Vito
25:26was
25:26rowing
25:26desperately
25:27behind
25:27us.
25:29His
25:29expression
25:30darkened
25:30as he
25:31pulled at
25:31the oar
25:31with all
25:32his
25:32strength.
25:34That
25:34black
25:37boat
25:37had
25:37appeared
25:37out
25:38of
25:38nowhere.
25:40Then,
25:40just as
25:41suddenly,
25:41it had
25:41carried
25:42me
25:42away.
25:43He
25:44hadn't
25:44gotten
25:44a good
25:45look at
25:45the
25:45man
25:45aboard.
25:47But
25:47something
25:48about
25:48him
25:48felt
25:48strangely
25:49familiar.
25:51Vito's
25:51hands
25:52trembled
25:52around
25:52the
25:52oar.
25:53The
25:53same
25:54route
25:54he'd
25:54traveled
25:54for
25:55ten
25:55years
25:55suddenly
25:56felt
25:56unfamiliar.
25:58Was
25:58this
25:58how
25:59I'd
25:59felt
25:59every
25:59time
25:59I
26:00watched
26:00him
26:00sail
26:00away
26:00with
26:01Bella?
26:01The
26:01bitterness,
26:02the
26:02pain,
26:03the
26:03hopelessness,
26:04all of
26:05it
26:05crashed
26:05over
26:05him
26:05at
26:06once.
26:06He
26:06asked
26:06himself
26:07the
26:07same
26:07question
26:07again
26:08and
26:08again.
26:08Why
26:09hadn't
26:09Adele
26:09boarded
26:10his
26:10boat?
26:11Why?
26:12Because
26:13someone
26:13else
26:13was
26:13already
26:14on
26:14it.
26:14Because
26:15he
26:15had
26:15never
26:15intended
26:16to
26:16let
26:16me
26:16aboard
26:16in
26:16the
26:17first
26:17place.
26:18And
26:18yet
26:18I
26:18was
26:19his
26:19fiancee.
26:21He
26:21had
26:21been
26:21so
26:22sure
26:22I
26:22would
26:22never
26:22leave,
26:23that
26:23he'd
26:23worn
26:24down
26:24my
26:24love
26:24for
26:24him
26:25little
26:25by
26:25little.
26:26He'd
26:26been
26:26so
26:27smug,
26:27so
26:28proud
26:28of
26:28himself.
26:29Every
26:30year
26:30he
26:30took
26:31another
26:31woman
26:31aboard.
26:32And
26:33every
26:33year
26:33I
26:34still
26:34chased
26:34after
26:35him
26:35willingly.
26:36The
26:36men
26:36in the
26:37family
26:37used
26:37to
26:37pull
26:38him
26:38aside
26:38and
26:38ask
26:38for
26:39advice.
26:40Come on,
26:40tell us.
26:42Damn,
26:43Vito,
26:44how do you
26:44do it?
26:46how do
26:47you
26:47keep
26:47Adele
26:47and
26:48Bella
26:48from
26:48fighting
26:48over
26:49you?
26:51Vito
26:51always
26:52brushed
26:52them
26:52off.
26:55What's
26:55there
26:55to
26:55teach?
26:58When
26:58I
26:58say
26:59jump,
26:59Adele
26:59asks
26:59how
27:00high.
27:02Besides,
27:03she's
27:03fat
27:03and
27:03ugly.
27:04Who
27:05else
27:05would
27:05marry
27:05her?
27:06She'd
27:06never
27:06risk
27:06losing
27:07me
27:07over
27:07Bella.
27:08Even
27:08when
27:08I
27:08lost
27:09control
27:09and
27:09shoved
27:09Bella
27:10into
27:10the
27:10river,
27:11Vito's
27:11satisfaction
27:12overweighed
27:12his
27:12anger.
27:13To
27:13him,
27:14my
27:14jealousy
27:14proved
27:15how
27:15deeply
27:15I
27:15loved
27:15him,
27:16enough
27:16to
27:16fight
27:17for
27:17him.
27:18He
27:18liked
27:19that
27:19fire
27:19in
27:19me,
27:20but
27:21Rosa
27:21didn't.
27:22She
27:23was
27:23always
27:23telling
27:23him
27:24to
27:24use
27:24Bella
27:24to
27:24put
27:25me
27:25in
27:25my
27:25place.
27:26And
27:27she
27:27was
27:27his
27:27mother.
27:28He
27:28couldn't
27:28ignore
27:28her.
27:29Besides,
27:30once I
27:30became
27:30his
27:31wife,
27:31I'd
27:32have
27:32to
27:32obey
27:32Rosa
27:32too.
27:33So
27:33Vito
27:34did
27:34as
27:34his
27:34mother
27:34asked
27:35and
27:35taught
27:35me
27:35a
27:35brutal
27:36lesson.
27:39But
27:39when
27:39he
27:39saw
27:39me
27:40unconscious
27:40in
27:40bed,
27:41burning
27:41with
27:41fever,
27:42he
27:42made
27:43himself
27:43a
27:43promise.
27:46Next
27:47year,
27:47we'd
27:48get
27:48married.
27:49Then
27:49Bella
27:49told
27:50him
27:50some
27:50old
27:50creep
27:51from
27:51a
27:51rival
27:51family
27:52had
27:52set
27:52his
27:52sights
27:52on
27:53her.
27:54The
27:54man
27:55had
27:55even
27:55threatened
27:55to
27:55take
27:55her
27:56by
27:56force
27:56next
27:56Thanksgiving.
27:58Vito
27:58hesitated
27:59again.
28:00Just
28:01one
28:01more
28:01year.
28:01I'd
28:02already
28:02waited
28:02ten.
28:03What
28:04was
28:04one
28:04more?
28:06Next
28:07year,
28:07he would
28:08definitely
28:08let me
28:09board
28:09his
28:09boat.
28:10But
28:10he
28:10never
28:11expected
28:11me
28:11to
28:11stop
28:12waiting.
28:13And
28:13he
28:13certainly
28:14never
28:14expected
28:14another
28:15man
28:15to
28:15take
28:15me.
28:19Vito
28:20had
28:20already
28:20warned
28:20every
28:21eligible
28:21man
28:21in
28:22the
28:22family
28:22to
28:22stay
28:23away
28:23from
28:23me.
28:30So
28:31where
28:31the
28:31hell
28:31had
28:32that
28:32black
28:32boat
28:32come
28:32from?
28:35Rage
28:35surged
28:36through
28:36him.
28:37When
28:37I
28:37catch
28:37Adele,
28:38I'm
28:39going
28:39to
28:39teach
28:39her
28:39a
28:39lesson.
28:42She
28:42needs
28:42to
28:42learn
28:43she
28:43can't
28:43just
28:43board
28:43another
28:44man's
28:44boat.
28:46The
28:46ninth
28:46and
28:47final
28:47bridge
28:47stood
28:47right
28:48outside
28:48my
28:48family
28:48home.
28:49My
28:49mother
28:50waited
28:50anxiously
28:50at
28:51the
28:51front,
28:51watching
28:52every
28:52boat
28:52pass.
28:53My
28:53father
28:54had
28:54sent
28:54word
28:54that
28:54morning.
28:55I
28:55had
28:55finally
28:56boarded
28:56a
28:56boat.
28:57Then
28:57she
28:57spotted
28:58the
28:58black
28:58vessel.
28:59It
28:59looked
28:59nothing
29:00like
29:00the
29:00others.
29:02She
29:02recognized
29:02it
29:03instantly.
29:06Adele!
29:09Tears
29:09of joy
29:10filled
29:10her
29:10eyes.
29:11It
29:12was
29:12the
29:12first
29:12time
29:12she
29:13had
29:13ever
29:13seen
29:13me
29:13on
29:13a
29:14boat.
29:16Luca
29:16rode
29:17towards
29:17the
29:17bank.
29:23Watch
29:24your
29:24step.
29:28He
29:28carefully
29:28helped
29:29me
29:29ashore.
29:31My
29:32mother
29:32stared
29:32at
29:32him
29:32in
29:33delighted
29:33surprise.
29:34Luca,
29:35you're
29:35back!
29:37I
29:38still
29:38remember
29:38how you
29:38used to
29:39wait for
29:39Adele
29:39every
29:39morning
29:40so you
29:41could
29:41walk
29:41to
29:41school
29:41together.
29:46Your
29:46mother
29:46said you
29:47completed
29:47your
29:47training
29:48in
29:48New
29:48York.
29:50Which
29:51family
29:51are you
29:51planning
29:51to
29:52join?
29:53Luca
29:54didn't
29:54answer
29:54right
29:54time.
29:55He
29:56lifted
29:56the
29:56hem
29:56of
29:56my
29:56long
29:57dress
29:57to
29:57keep
29:57it
29:57off
29:58the
29:58ground
29:58then
29:59studied
29:59my
29:59expression.
30:02If
30:03Don
30:03Salvador
30:03will
30:03have
30:04me,
30:04I'd
30:05like
30:05to
30:05serve
30:05the
30:05Moretti
30:06family.
30:11And
30:11I'm
30:1230
30:12now.
30:12It's
30:13time I
30:13settled
30:13down.
30:14When
30:14I
30:14didn't
30:15object,
30:15he
30:16continued.
30:19I've
30:19been
30:19away
30:20a long
30:20time.
30:22so
30:22let
30:22me
30:22make
30:23sure
30:23I
30:23understand
30:23the
30:23custom.
30:26Now
30:27that
30:27Adele
30:27has
30:27boarded
30:28my
30:28boat,
30:30does
30:31that
30:31mean
30:31she's
30:31agreed
30:31to
30:32marry
30:32me?
30:36My
30:37family
30:37has
30:37everything
30:38ready
30:38for
30:38the
30:38wedding.
30:40All
30:40we
30:41need
30:41is
30:41Adele's
30:41yes.
30:42But
30:43that's
30:43not
30:43what
30:43you
30:43said
30:44last
30:44night
30:44when
30:45we
30:45spoke
30:45last
30:45night.
30:48I
30:48stared
30:48at
30:48Luca
30:49stunned.
30:51he'd
30:51said
30:51he
30:52was
30:52just
30:52helping
30:52an
30:52old
30:52friend.
30:54We
30:54would
30:55go
30:55through
30:55the
30:55motions
30:55then
30:56visit
30:56my
30:56grandmother.
30:59When
31:00had
31:00this
31:00turned
31:00into
31:00a
31:01real
31:01marriage?
31:02Vito's
31:03voice rang
31:03out in
31:04the
31:04distance.
31:05His
31:05boat
31:05was
31:06catching
31:06up.
31:08As
31:08Vito
31:08tried to
31:09come
31:09ashore,
31:10Luca
31:10took
31:10my
31:10hand
31:11and
31:11held
31:11it
31:11tight.
31:12What?
31:13You
31:13boarded
31:13my
31:13boat
31:14and
31:14now
31:14you're
31:14backing
31:14out?
31:19No,
31:19I
31:21then
31:21tell
31:21me.
31:23What
31:23does
31:23he
31:24have
31:24that
31:24I
31:24don't?
31:26Or
31:27is
31:27he
31:27still
31:27the
31:27only
31:27man
31:28you
31:28want
31:28to
31:28marry?
31:29My
31:29mind
31:30was
31:30spinning.
31:32I
31:33shook
31:33my
31:33head
31:34again
31:34and
31:34again.
31:35There
31:35was
31:35no
31:36way
31:36I
31:36would
31:36ever
31:36marry
31:37Vito.
31:38As
31:38he
31:38drew
31:39closer,
31:39I
31:39tightened
31:40my
31:40hand
31:40over
31:40Luca's.
31:42Don't
31:42regret
31:42this.
31:44I
31:44won't.
31:47my
31:47mother
31:48stepped
31:48beside
31:48me
31:48with
31:48a
31:49smile.
31:50Adele's
31:51wedding
31:51dress
31:51has
31:52been
31:52ready
31:52for
31:52years.
31:54The
31:54wedding
31:54is
31:55happening
31:55today.
31:57Then
31:58she
31:58scoffed
31:58at
31:58Vito
31:59as
31:59he
31:59climbed
31:59ashore,
32:00gasping
32:00for breath.
32:01Don't
32:02forget
32:02to
32:02come
32:02to
32:02Adele
32:03and
32:03Luca's
32:03wedding
32:03tonight.
32:06She
32:07waited
32:07ten
32:08years,
32:08but
32:08she
32:09finally
32:09boarded
32:09a
32:09boat.
32:11What?
32:13Vito
32:13froze.
32:14His
32:15eyes
32:15dropped
32:16to
32:16our
32:16tightly
32:16clasped
32:16hands.
32:20Then
32:21he
32:21roared.
32:22I
32:22won't
32:22allow
32:22it!
32:26Adela
32:26is
32:26my
32:27fiance.
32:27Who
32:28the
32:28hell
32:28are
32:28you?
32:29Let
32:29go
32:29of
32:29her!
32:31Vito's
32:32eyes
32:32were
32:32bloodshot,
32:33but
32:33for the
32:34first
32:34time,
32:35seeing
32:35him
32:35like
32:35that
32:35didn't
32:36hurt
32:36me.
32:37He
32:37tried
32:37to
32:38grab
32:38my
32:38hand.
32:39Luca
32:40stepped
32:40between
32:40us.
32:41I
32:42leaned
32:42around
32:42him.
32:43and glanced
32:44at
32:44Vito's
32:44empty
32:45boat.
32:48Why
32:49isn't
32:49Bella
32:49with
32:50you
32:50this
32:50year?
32:50Because
32:51you
32:51were
32:51leaving
32:52with
32:52someone
32:53else.
32:54I
32:54was
32:54scared.
32:56You
32:56didn't
32:56want
32:57me
32:57anymore.
32:59So
33:00you
33:00only
33:00treated
33:00me
33:00that
33:01way
33:01because
33:01you
33:01thought
33:01I'd
33:02never
33:03leave.
33:05I
33:05couldn't
33:06stand
33:06to
33:06look
33:06at
33:06him
33:06any
33:07longer.
33:08I
33:08took
33:08Luca's
33:09hand
33:09and
33:09walked
33:10away.
33:10Vito
33:11shouted
33:11after us.
33:12Adel,
33:12don't
33:12go!
33:14I'll
33:14take
33:14you
33:15to
33:15see
33:15Margaret.
33:17We
33:17can
33:17file
33:17for
33:18a
33:18marriage
33:18license
33:18right
33:18now.
33:20Mentioning
33:20my
33:20grandmother
33:21only
33:21made
33:21me
33:22angry.
33:22I
33:23spun
33:23around
33:23and
33:23glared
33:24at
33:24him.
33:25I
33:25gave
33:25you
33:25chance
33:26after
33:26chance
33:26Vito.
33:27Last
33:28week
33:28I
33:29asked
33:29you
33:29to
33:29visit
33:29my
33:29grandmother
33:30with
33:30me.
33:31You
33:31said
33:31you
33:31had
33:32work.
33:33Turns
33:34out
33:34work
33:35meant
33:35taking
33:35Bella
33:35shopping
33:36for
33:36matching
33:36bracelets.
33:40Three
33:40identical
33:41bracelets.
33:42One
33:43for each
33:43of us.
33:46What
33:46the hell
33:46were you
33:47thinking?
33:48And
33:49you
33:49actually
33:49had
33:49the
33:50nerve
33:50to
33:50give
33:50me
33:50mine?
33:54what
33:54am
33:54I
33:55to
33:55you?
33:57Some
33:58free
33:58bonus
33:58that
33:59came
33:59with
33:59Bella?
34:02Vito
34:02opened
34:03his
34:03mouth
34:03but
34:04no
34:04excuse
34:04came
34:05out.
34:06All
34:07he
34:07could
34:07do
34:07was
34:07watch
34:07Luca
34:08and
34:08me
34:09walk
34:09away.
34:14Does
34:15it
34:15hurt?
34:18Luca
34:18helped
34:19me
34:19into
34:19the
34:19car.
34:20I
34:20shook
34:20my
34:20head.
34:23I'd
34:24cried
34:24all
34:24the
34:24tears
34:24I
34:25had
34:25left
34:25the
34:25night
34:25before.
34:27I
34:27wasn't
34:27wasting
34:28any
34:28more
34:28emotion
34:29on
34:29someone
34:29who
34:29no
34:29longer
34:30mattered.
34:31Let's
34:31go see
34:32my
34:32grandmother.
34:34She
34:35had
34:35waited
34:35far
34:35too
34:35long
34:36for
34:36me.
34:36I
34:37hated
34:37that
34:37I'd
34:37given
34:38her
34:38so
34:38much
34:38to
34:38worry
34:39about.
34:43Through
34:43the
34:44glass
34:44I
34:44saw
34:44her
34:45lying
34:45in
34:45bed.
34:49The
34:49moment
34:50Luca
34:50and I
34:50walked
34:50in
34:51together
34:51her
34:51eyes
34:51lit
34:52up.
34:52Luca
34:52carefully
34:53helped
34:53me
34:53sit
34:53beside
34:54her.
34:54Then
34:54he
34:54sat
34:55with
34:55me
34:55and
34:55took
34:55her
34:55hand.
34:56Grandma
34:56opened
34:57her
34:57mouth.
34:57I
34:57understood
34:58what
34:58she
34:58was
34:58trying
34:58to
34:59say.
35:00Great.
35:00She
35:01thought
35:01Luca
35:01was
35:02a
35:02great
35:02man.
35:03She
35:03liked
35:03him.
35:05Whoever
35:05chose
35:06she
35:07would
35:07choose
35:07too.
35:11I
35:11held
35:12back
35:12my
35:12tears
35:12and
35:13quietly
35:13told
35:14her
35:14everything
35:14that
35:14had
35:14happened
35:15that
35:15day.
35:17Don't
35:17worry
35:18grandpa.
35:18I
35:19promise
35:19I'll
35:19take
35:20good
35:20care
35:20of
35:20Adela.
35:21Luca
35:21spoke
35:21loudly
35:22ear.
35:22A
35:22satisfied
35:23smile
35:23spread
35:23across
35:24her
35:24face.
35:24My
35:25parents
35:25arrived
35:25and
35:26sat
35:26on
35:26the
35:26other
35:26side
35:26of
35:27the
35:27bed.
35:27Don't
35:27worry
35:28mom.
35:28Adela
35:29is
35:29getting
35:29married
35:30today.
35:30She
35:30is
35:31going
35:31to
35:31be
35:31happy.
35:35After
35:36the
35:36visit
35:36my
35:37parents
35:37hurried
35:37home.
35:38They
35:39needed
35:39the
35:39whole
35:39family's
35:40help
35:40preparing
35:40the
35:40wedding
35:41feast.
35:42Luca
35:43stopped
35:43me
35:43before
35:44we
35:44left.
35:44I
35:45have
35:45a
35:45wedding
35:45gift
35:45for
35:45you.
35:47When
35:48the
35:48rings
35:48were
35:48brought
35:48in
35:49I
35:50was
35:50genuinely
35:51stunned.
35:52How
35:52did
35:52you
35:52get
35:52this
35:53design?
35:55I
35:55saw
35:55all
35:56the
35:56ring
35:56designs
35:56I
35:56had
35:56been
35:56creating.
35:57I
35:58figured
35:58you'd
35:58want
35:58to
35:58wear
35:58one
35:59of
35:59your
35:59own
35:59designs
35:59at
35:59your
35:59wedding.
36:00So
36:00before
36:01I
36:01left
36:01New
36:01York
36:01I
36:01had
36:01a
36:01jeweler
36:02make
36:02them
36:02for
36:02us.
36:09Luca
36:10carefully
36:10slipped
36:10the
36:10ring
36:11onto
36:11my
36:11finger.
36:18Then
36:19I
36:19placed
36:19his
36:19on
36:19his
36:20hand.
36:22For
36:22the
36:23first
36:23time
36:23the
36:24wedding
36:24felt
36:24real.
36:26Smiling
36:26he
36:27took
36:27my
36:27hand
36:28and
36:28led
36:28me
36:28home.
36:31Our
36:31courtyard
36:31was
36:32already
36:32covered
36:32in
36:32pink
36:33and
36:33white
36:33balloons.
36:35A
36:35red
36:35carpet
36:36stretched
36:36from
36:36my
36:36front
36:37door
36:37all
36:37the
36:37way
36:37to
36:38Luca's
36:38house.
36:39Luckily
36:39he
36:39lived
36:40close
36:40by.
36:41His
36:42mother
36:42Elena
36:42stood
36:43at the
36:43entrance
36:43with my
36:43mother
36:44welcoming
36:44guests.
36:45Servants
36:45rushed
36:46back and
36:46forth
36:46with
36:46final
36:47preparations.
36:47The
36:48parking
36:48area
36:48was
36:49packed
36:49with
36:49luxury
36:49cars.
36:54Luca
36:54brushed
36:54his
36:55finger
36:55across
36:55my
36:55palm.
36:59We
37:00lost
37:00so
37:00many
37:00years.
37:01But
37:02at least
37:02you
37:02finally
37:02came
37:02back
37:03to
37:03me.
37:05I
37:06couldn't
37:06say this
37:06before I
37:06left for
37:07training in
37:07New York.
37:08Now I
37:09finally
37:09can.
37:10He
37:10looked
37:10deep
37:11into
37:11my
37:11eyes.
37:12Adele,
37:12I
37:12love
37:12you.
37:14Can
37:14we
37:14spend
37:14the rest
37:15of our
37:15lives
37:15together?
37:16I
37:16smiled
37:16back at
37:17him.
37:17I
37:18love
37:18you
37:18too.
37:19And
37:20thank
37:20you
37:20for
37:20showing
37:21up
37:21for
37:21me
37:21today.
37:24I
37:28A
37:29sudden
37:29sob
37:29shattered
37:30the
37:30moment.
37:31It
37:32was
37:32Bella.
37:32Her
37:33red
37:33gown
37:33was
37:33gone
37:34and
37:34she
37:34looked
37:34dishettled.
37:35She
37:35was
37:35carrying
37:36a
37:36huge
37:36suitcase.
37:37The
37:37moment
37:37she
37:37saw
37:38me,
37:38tears
37:38streamed
37:38down
37:39her
37:39face.
37:39Then
37:39she
37:39dropped
37:40to
37:40her
37:40knees.
37:41Adele,
37:41please
37:41have
37:42mercy
37:42on
37:43me.
37:43Go
37:44back
37:44and
37:44marry
37:44Vito.
37:45I'm
37:45begging
37:46you.
37:46The
37:46Marinos
37:47are
37:47throwing
37:47me
37:47out.
37:48I
37:48can't
37:48fend
37:48for
37:48myself.
37:49I'll
37:56see you.
37:57A
37:58smug
37:58look
37:58flashed
37:59across
37:59Bella's
37:59face
37:59before
38:00she
38:00started
38:00wailing
38:01again.
38:01My
38:01parents
38:02are
38:02gone.
38:02I
38:03don't
38:03even
38:03have
38:03a
38:03home.
38:04You've
38:04always
38:05had
38:05everything.
38:05You're
38:06a
38:06princess.
38:06Your
38:06father's
38:07the
38:07don
38:07and
38:07you
38:07have
38:08a
38:08fiance
38:08who
38:08loves
38:08you.
38:09I'm
38:09just
38:09an
38:09orphan.
38:09I
38:09can't
38:10survive
38:10on
38:10my
38:10own.
38:11Please
38:12Adela.
38:12Vito
38:13and I
38:13were
38:13never
38:13together.
38:14He
38:14was
38:15only
38:15trying
38:15to
38:15help
38:15me.
38:19The
38:20women
38:20watching
38:20finally
38:21had
38:21enough.
38:24Oh,
38:25spare
38:25us.
38:27You
38:27ditched
38:28your
38:28arranged
38:28marriage
38:28and ran
38:29off
38:29with a
38:29rich
38:29man.
38:30That's
38:30why
38:31your
38:31parents
38:31got
38:31into
38:31that
38:31car
38:32accident.
38:34And
38:34now
38:34you're
38:34destroying
38:35Vito's
38:35family.
38:36Weren't
38:37you fooling
38:37around with
38:38that old
38:38creep from
38:38the rival
38:39family last
38:39year?
38:41Why
38:41didn't
38:41you board
38:42his
38:42boat?
38:42Why
38:43keep
38:43ruining
38:43Adele's
38:43life?
38:44Don't
38:45listen to
38:45her,
38:45Adela.
38:47go
38:47inside
38:47and put
38:48on
38:48your
38:48wedding
38:48dress.
38:52The
38:53rest of
38:53the
38:53Marino
38:54family
38:54rushed
38:54over.
38:57They
38:57dragged
38:58Bella
38:58away,
38:59apologizing
39:00over and
39:00over.
39:01Vito
39:01trailed
39:02behind
39:02them,
39:03looking
39:03broken.
39:03The
39:04accusations
39:04had hit
39:05him
39:05hard.
39:08Finally,
39:09he
39:09snapped.
39:10Shut
39:11up!
39:12One
39:13more
39:13word,
39:13and I'll
39:14throw you
39:14in the
39:15river.
39:16Bella
39:16kept
39:16begging.
39:18Bella
39:19fell
39:19silent
39:19and
39:20cowered
39:20to the
39:20side.
39:25Vito
39:26stared at
39:26the rings
39:26on
39:27Luca's
39:27hand
39:27and mine.
39:28His
39:29eyes
39:29turned
39:29red,
39:30but he
39:31said
39:31nothing.
39:32He
39:33turned
39:33and
39:33followed
39:34his
39:34family.
39:34I
39:35didn't
39:35even
39:35look
39:36at
39:36him.
39:38I
39:38took
39:38Luca's
39:39hand
39:40and
39:41went
39:41inside.
39:44The
39:44wedding
39:45reception
39:45was in
39:45full
39:46swing.
39:47After
39:48ten
39:48years
39:48of
39:48waiting,
39:49I
39:50finally
39:50wore
39:50the
39:50dress
39:51my
39:51mother
39:51had
39:51prepared
39:52for
39:52me.
39:55Once
39:56Luca
39:56and I
39:57had
39:57shared
39:57a
39:57drink,
40:03with
40:04the
40:04family
40:04members
40:05attending
40:05the
40:05wedding,
40:06it
40:06was
40:06time
40:07for
40:07the
40:07newlyweds
40:07river
40:08procession.
40:12Colorful
40:12lights
40:13lined both
40:13banks of
40:14the
40:14canal.
40:15Holding
40:15my
40:15parents'
40:16hands,
40:16I
40:16stepped
40:16outside.
40:19Wow,
40:20the bride's
40:20so pretty!
40:23Children
40:24gathered
40:24around me,
40:25tossing
40:25flower
40:25petals
40:26into the
40:26air.
40:26Flowers
40:27covered
40:27the
40:27ground
40:28and
40:28a
40:28red
40:28carpet
40:29led
40:29to
40:29the
40:29water.
40:30Luca
40:30stood
40:30at
40:30the
40:31canal
40:31beside
40:31a
40:31boat,
40:32covered
40:32in
40:32roses
40:33and
40:33twinkling
40:33lights.
40:34He
40:34watched
40:35me
40:35approach
40:35with
40:35a
40:35tender
40:36smile.
40:40Careful,
40:41Adele.
40:42Watch
40:42your step.
40:45I
40:46took his
40:46hand and
40:47slowly
40:47boarded
40:47the
40:48boat.
40:48It
40:48rocked
40:49gently
40:49before
40:49joining
40:49the
40:50procession.
40:50The
40:50newlyweds
40:51boats
40:51painted
40:51the
40:52canal
40:52in
40:52brilliant
40:52colors.
40:53Luca
40:53held
40:54my
40:54hand
40:54as we
40:54scattered
40:55rose
40:55petals
40:57lights
40:58flickered
40:58in
40:58the
40:58distance.
40:59Beneath
41:00one
41:00of
41:00the
41:00bridges
41:00I
41:01could
41:01just
41:01make
41:01out
41:01a
41:01figure
41:01hiding
41:02in
41:02the
41:02shadows.
41:03Luca
41:03covered
41:03my
41:03eyes.
41:04The
41:04wind's
41:04picking up.
41:04Don't
41:04catch a
41:04chill.
41:05I
41:05nestled
41:05against
41:05his
41:05chest.
41:06His
41:06strong,
41:07steady
41:07heartbeat
41:07made
41:08me
41:08feel
41:08completely
41:08safe.
41:09Under
41:09the
41:09bridge,
41:10Vito
41:10watched
41:11the
41:11couples
41:11on
41:11the
41:11boats
41:12curled
41:12up
41:12together.
41:19A
41:19chill
41:19slowly
41:20settled
41:20over
41:20him.
41:22It's
41:22okay.
41:22they
41:23haven't
41:23filed
41:23the
41:23marriage
41:24license
41:24yet.
41:28He
41:28told
41:28himself
41:29he
41:29still
41:30had
41:30a
41:30chance.
41:34Vito
41:35waited
41:35until the
41:35procession
41:36disappeared,
41:37then
41:37emerged
41:38from
41:38beneath
41:38the
41:38bridge
41:38and
41:39went
41:39home.
41:41The
41:41house
41:41was
41:42cold
41:42and
41:42silent.
41:44Rosa
41:44sat
41:44alone
41:45in
41:45the
41:45courtyard
41:45without
41:45a
41:46word.
41:47She
41:47regretted
41:48what
41:48she'd
41:48done,
41:49but
41:49she
41:49refused
41:49to
41:50admit
41:50it.
41:53Bella
41:54was
41:54gone
41:54too.
42:00Before
42:01leaving,
42:02she'd
42:02screamed
42:02at
42:02Vito.
42:04You
42:05deserve
42:05this!
42:06You're
42:07the
42:07idiot
42:07who
42:07fell
42:07for
42:07a
42:08few
42:08sweet
42:08words
42:08and
42:09let
42:09me
42:09on
42:09your
42:09boat.
42:10Don't
42:10pin
42:10this
42:10all
42:11on
42:11me.
42:11It's
42:11on
42:12you!
42:14Adela
42:14is
42:14never
42:15coming
42:15back
42:15to
42:15you!
42:16Slapped
42:17her
42:17across
42:17the
42:17face.
42:18Bella
42:18froze
42:19in
42:19shock.
42:19Don't
42:20ever
42:20say
42:20Adela's
42:21name
42:21or
42:21you're
42:21not
42:21worthy.
42:24One
42:25look
42:25at
42:25Vito's
42:26expression
42:26sent
42:27her
42:27running
42:27with
42:27her
42:27suitcase.
42:32Now
42:32no one
42:33was
42:33left.
42:34Laughter
42:35filled
42:35every
42:35corner
42:35of
42:36Sicily.
42:36It
42:37only
42:37made
42:37the
42:37Merino
42:38home
42:38feel
42:38emptier.
42:40Vito
42:40didn't
42:41join
42:41Rosa
42:41in
42:41the
42:41courtyard.
42:45He
42:45sat
42:46alone
42:46in his
42:46room
42:46all
42:47night.
42:57At
42:57six
42:58the
42:58next
42:58morning
42:58he
42:59went
42:59to
42:59my
42:59house.
43:01He
43:02wanted
43:02one
43:02last
43:03chance
43:03to
43:03talk
43:03before
43:04I
43:04filed
43:04for
43:04a
43:04marriage
43:05license.
43:05But
43:06the
43:06gates
43:06were
43:06locked.
43:09A
43:10neighbor
43:10leaned
43:10out
43:10her
43:10window.
43:13Adelia
43:13left
43:14last
43:14night.
43:16Lucas
43:16taking
43:17her
43:17to
43:17New
43:17York.
43:26That
43:27was
43:27when
43:27real
43:27panic
43:28set
43:28in.
43:28New
43:29York?
43:30Vito
43:30had
43:30never
43:30even
43:31been
43:31there.
43:31He
43:32pulled
43:32out
43:32his
43:32phone
43:33and
43:33searched
43:33for
43:33the
43:33next
43:34flight.
43:37Gritting
43:38his
43:38teeth,
43:39he
43:39was
43:39about
43:39to
43:39buy
43:40a
43:40ticket
43:40when
43:40a
43:40message
43:41appeared.
43:52Three
43:52years
43:53later,
43:53Vito
43:54finally
43:54made
43:54it
43:54to
43:55New
43:55York.
43:56That
43:56Thanksgiving,
43:57after
43:58Bella
43:58left
43:58the
43:58Marino
43:59home,
43:59the
44:00old
44:00creep
44:00from
44:00the
44:00rival
44:01family
44:01took
44:01her
44:01to
44:02Africa.
44:03Rosa
44:03fell
44:03ill
44:04from
44:04the
44:04shock.
44:06Not
44:07long
44:07after,
44:07she
44:08died
44:08of
44:08a
44:08heart
44:08attack.
44:09Vito's
44:10father
44:10blamed
44:10him
44:10for
44:11all
44:11the
44:11trouble.
44:12He
44:12remarried.
44:14then
44:14cast
44:14Vito
44:15out
44:15of
44:15the
44:15family.
44:21Vito
44:21spent
44:21three
44:22years
44:22drifting
44:22from
44:23place
44:23to
44:23place,
44:24working
44:24whatever
44:25jobs
44:25he
44:25could
44:25find.
44:38At
44:39last,
44:40he
44:40saved
44:40enough
44:40for
44:40a
44:41plane
44:41ticket
44:41to
44:41New
44:41York.
44:47The
44:48moment
44:48he
44:48left
44:48the
44:48airport,
44:49a
44:49wave
44:49of
44:50heat
44:50made
44:50him
44:50squint.
44:51Well-dressed
44:52people
44:52streamed
44:52past,
44:53speaking
44:53languages
44:54he
44:54couldn't
44:54understand.
44:57He'd
44:58done
44:58his
44:58research.
44:59Luca
44:59had
44:59expanded
45:00the
45:00Moretti
45:00family's
45:01influence
45:01across
45:01the
45:02East
45:02Coast.
45:03I
45:03had
45:03moved
45:04there
45:04with
45:04him
45:04and
45:04become
45:05a
45:05jewelry
45:05designer.
45:07Vito
45:07had
45:07memorized
45:08the
45:08address
45:08of
45:08my
45:08store.
45:10I
45:15he
45:16looked
45:16up
45:16searching
45:16for
45:17a
45:17subway
45:17sign.
45:19Then
45:19an
45:19advertisement
45:20caught
45:20his
45:20eye.
45:20It
45:21featured
45:21an
45:21interview
45:21with
45:21Adele
45:22Moretta,
45:22founder
45:22of
45:22Adele
45:23Jewelry,
45:23but she
45:23no longer
45:24hid
45:24from it.
45:24I
45:25smiled
45:25with
45:25confidence,
45:26holding
45:26my
45:26child
45:27as
45:27Luca
45:27stood
45:27beside
45:28me.
45:28My
45:28latest
45:28collection
45:29was
45:29inspired
45:29by
45:30my
45:30hometown
45:30in
45:30Sicily.
45:31Every
45:31year,
45:32unmarried
45:32women
45:32draw
45:32lots.
45:33Only
45:33a
45:33red
45:34slip
45:34allows
45:34a
45:34woman
45:34to
45:35board
45:35her
45:35fiancé's
45:35boat.
45:36I
45:36drew
45:36white
45:36for
45:36ten
45:37years.
45:37Then,
45:38in my
45:38eleventh
45:38year,
45:39I
45:39found
45:39the
45:39love
45:40of
45:40my
45:40life,
45:40Luca.
45:41He
45:41showed
45:41me
45:41what
45:42real
45:42love
45:42looks
45:42like.
45:45Vito
45:45couldn't
45:46hear
45:46the rest.
45:47Exhaustion
45:48made his
45:48ears
45:48ring.
45:50He
45:51stared
45:51at the
45:51happy
45:51family
45:52on the
45:52screen.
45:56Then
45:56he
45:57slowly
45:57sank
45:57to the
45:57ground.
46:00Pedestrians
46:00float around
46:01him,
46:01leaving
46:01an
46:02empty
46:02circle
46:02in
46:02the
46:02crowd.
46:06At
46:07its
46:07center,
46:07a
46:07dust
46:07covered
46:08man
46:08welt
46:08with
46:08his
46:09head
46:09bound,
46:09sobbing.