Chapter 4 - The Shadow Over Table 12
The wedding cake was wheeled out on a silver cart—six tiers of spun sugar, white fondant, and delicate edible gold leaf. The room erupted in applause as Sophia and her new husband took the silver knife and made the first ceremonial cut. Jessica stood near the edge of the crowd, clapping warmly for her sister. For all the family drama, Sophia was kind-hearted and deserved every ounce of happiness.
From across the sea of tuxedos and gowns, Jessica caught her mother’s eye. Eleanor Reed was talking to a group of elderly socialites, but her sharp gaze kept darting toward Giovanni, who remained standing two paces behind Jessica like a dark, impenetrable sentinel.
Eleanor made her way over, her champagne flute held like a scepter. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, assessing the cut of Giovanni's suit with the practiced eye of a woman who had spent forty years evaluating net worths.
""Jessica,"" Eleanor said smoothly, offering her cheek for a superficial kiss before turning her full attention to the man beside her. ""You really should have told us you were bringing such an accomplished guest. The Martinellis have been singing your praises all evening, Mr. Fioraldi. They mentioned your generous contributions to the city's opera foundation.""
""Culture is important, Mrs. Reed,"" Giovanni replied smoothly, his hands clasped behind his back. ""As is supporting the institutions that make Chicago great.""
""Indeed,"" Eleanor beamed, preening as though Giovanni were already an accessory to her social prestige. ""We were just saying how lovely it is that Jessica finally found someone with... ambition. We were so worried after that terrible business with Tyler. Jessica had such potential before she threw her medical degree away to become a nurse. It's so difficult watching your child settle for mediocrity.""
Jessica flinched. The words were familiar, but hearing them delivered in front of Giovanni felt like a fresh slap across the face.
Giovanni’s posture shifted instantly. The polished charm vanished, replaced by an icy, formidable stillness that made the surrounding air feel instantly colder.
""Your daughter did not settle for mediocrity, Mrs. Reed,"" Giovanni said, his voice dropping an octave, ringing with unmistakable authority. ""She chose life over convenience. She gave up an easy path to raise a beautiful child with dignity, without asking for a dime from people who should have supported her. In my world, that is called courage. It is far more respectable than marrying for money or judging one's own children by the size of their tax returns.""
Eleanor's mouth dropped open. Her carefully applied makeup seemed to crack under the weight of his rebuke. ""I—I only meant—""
""I know exactly what you meant,"" Giovanni interrupted coldly. ""And I suggest you reconsider how you speak of the woman who will soon carry the Fioraldi name.""
The entire radius around them went dead silent. Jessica felt her breath lodge in her throat. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. The woman who will soon carry the Fioraldi name?
Eleanor looked from Giovanni to Jessica, her eyes bulging with disbelief. ""You... you're getting married?""
Jessica opened her mouth, ready to blurt out the truth, but Giovanni slipped his right arm smoothly around her waist. His grip was warm, protective, and unyielding, anchoring her against his broad frame.
""We have kept our engagement private until tonight,"" Giovanni lied smoothly, not a single flicker of hesitation in his golden eyes. ""Jessica did not want to overshadow Sophia's celebration. But make no mistake, Mrs. Reed. When Jessica joins my family, she will have everything she was ever denied. And anyone who disrespects her—family included—will find themselves permanently unwelcome in our home.""
Eleanor looked terrified, humbled, and awestruck all at once. ""Well... I... congratulations, darling. We are simply thrilled."" She muttered an incoherent excuse about greeting relatives and practically fled into the crowd.
The moment Eleanor was out of earshot, Jessica turned in Giovanni's arms, her eyes wide with shock. ""Are you insane?! Why would you tell my mother we're getting married?! Do you have any idea what kind of mess you just created?!""
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Giovanni looked down at her, completely unfazed by her panic. In fact, a faint, dangerous smirk played at the corners of his lips.
""I don't make promises I don't intend to keep, Jessica,"" he murmured, his thumb lightly stroking the fabric at her waist. ""Who said I was lying?""
