Chapter 2
"This was Elena's ring."
I took it off and set it on the glass table.
"You still want me to wear it in our wedding pictures?"
Adrian shut the door. The photographer's voice faded, but we could still hear people moving outside.
"The ring has been in my family for years," he said.
"It belongs at a De Luca wedding."
"Did her initials come with the family?"
His jaw tightened.
"I'll have them removed after the pictures."
"And until then?"
"Wear it. The family is waiting."
I laughed. He had barely spoken during the ceremony. Now he had plenty to say for a ring.
Someone knocked and opened the door. Adrian's uncle Salvatore De Luca stepped in. He handled the family's money and liked everyone to know it. He was about sixty, with silver hair combed back, a thick gold ring, and too much cologne. The two younger men behind him stopped talking when he entered.
"The photographer is waiting," Salvatore said.
His eyes found the ring.
"We have enough people hoping to laugh at us today."
"Go outside," Adrian told him.
Salvatore left with a tight smile. I watched the door close.
"He knew," I said.
"Elena and I were engaged."
"I worked that out. Why didn't you marry her?"
"She didn't want that marriage."
I waited for more. Adrian adjusted his cuffs.
I put the ring back on myself.
"Come on. Your uncle's cologne is going to make the photographer sick."
More than thirty people stood on the church steps. A woman beside me saw my ring and gave me a careful smile. I smiled back with every tooth I had.
The photographer told me to move closer to Adrian. He placed a hand at my waist. I could feel its heat through my dress.
"Smile, Mrs. De Luca," the photographer said.
"She knows how," Adrian replied.
"I do," I said.
"I'm great at it when people are watching."
The camera flashed. In our first wedding picture, I wore another woman's name.
That night, a housekeeper led me to Adrian's bedroom. My dresses hung in one half of the closet. His clothes filled the other.
"I thought I'd have my own room," I said.
"There are guest rooms. We sleep here."
"Our agreement only says we act married in public."
"It doesn't say you have to sleep with me."
He took off his jacket.
"That is your choice."
He went to shower. I tried to unzip my wedding dress, but the zipper caught. My shoulder hurt by the time he came back, his hair wet and a black shirt open at the throat.
"Need help?"
"Yes. Don't start making deals."
He stood behind me and freed the zipper without catching my skin. Then he stepped back. I saw him looking at me in the mirror and turned around to kiss him.
"Are you sure?" he asked, one hand at my waist.
"I'm sure I want you. I'm still angry about the ring."
"I know."
He kissed me again, slowly enough for me to stop him. I didn't. I pulled him closer by his shirt and felt his breath change. When a hairpin dug into my head, he noticed me wince and took it out. He set it carefully on the table, then asked again if I wanted him to stay.
I said yes. I wanted my husband, even while I hated what he had done.
In the morning, the black ring lay on the nightstand. Adrian was already dressed. I thought he might tell me a jeweler was coming.
"Elena will be here today."