Trapped in the Don’s Vow (Serena) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Vincent’s heartbeat seemed to stop.

He turned and saw a beautiful woman in a white wedding dress.

She wore a diamond-studded mermaid gown and carried a bouquet of lilies, with a matching veil covering half her face.

A crown set with diamonds and sapphires glittered in her brown hair.

Isabella sucked in a sharp breath.

Vincent stood frozen until the captain of the Moretti security detail barked, “Mr. Gambini, move.”

The young prince of that crime family. Lorenzo Moretti, stepped down from the altar and onto the red carpet to meet

his bride.

His cheeks were flushed with color and his eyes were bright, with none of the weakness the rumors had described.

Vingent whispered, stunned, “Why… why isn’t the young Moretti dead?”

The guard’s expression darkened. “Watch your mouth, Gambini.”

Vincent jolted out of his shock.

He dropped to one knee in front of Lorenzo, his expression shifting several times before he forced the words out. “Sir, forgive me, but I was invited to a funeral. Why…?”

When Lorenzo took my hand, he lifted an eyebrow. “I heard you got married recently, Gambini.”

“Maybe the honeymoon glow blinded you,” Lorenzo said lightly, “because you clearly missed yesterday’s announcement.”

I’ve fully recovered,” he said. This is my wedding celebration.”

Vincent’s face went dead white.

He remembered the sealed letter delivered to his estate two days ago, his servant stammering that it came from the

Moretti family.

Vincent had assumed it was my desperate plea for help, so he tossed it aside without even opening it, never imagining it

was a wedding invitation.

The moment he realized what he’d done, Lorenzo’s smile only widened.

“Given the circumstances, Lorenzo said pleasantly. “I won’t hold your rudeness against you.”

“Now,” he added, “step aside.”

Vincent didn’t move.

Lorenzo’s expression turned cold, his voice dipping into something dangerous “Is there a problem, Gambini?”

Chapter 5

Whispers spread through the crowd.

I heard Serena was supposed to be Gambini’s bride,” someone murmured, “but when the young Moretti was dying and

demanded a Rossi daughter be buried with him. Gambini ditched the Morettis to save the bastard girl.”

“After all those years, another voice said, “he dumped Serena in front of everyone.”

“You think he was… sleeping with that bastard girl the whole time?”

Their speculation and disgust settled on Isabella.

Her cheeks flushed red. “That’s not true. I never-

Vincent turned and glared into the crowd.

The whispers died instantly.

He drew a slow breath and faced Lorenzo again.

“Lorenzo, Vincent said, “with respect… Serena Rossi is my fiancée.”

“Under our laws and traditions,” he added, “she’s my wife.”

The air turned heavy the second he said it.