The Don Chose Her, I Chose Left Chapter 06
Julian froze for two heartbeats before grinding hisÂ
teeth together in frustration.Â
“Elena, you’re pulling some sick joke right now!”Â
“No legitimate mafia household follows such ridiculous, unhinged customs!”Â
I arched an eyebrow at his blatant doubleÂ
standard.Â
“The Russo Family gets to force a pre–wedding overnight stay with an old flame under the name farewell vigil.”Â
“Why can’t my Bellandi bloodline uphold our ownÂ
wedding–night tradition with an ex–lover?”Â
“Quit being such a hypocrite, Julian.”Â
I let out a cold mocking laugh.Â
“You demanded I swallow my pride and respectÂ
your clan’s outdated heritage.”Â
“That means you’re obligated to respect mine inÂ
return.”Â
Silence blanketed the entire suite following my rebuttal.Â
His guys exchanged uncomfortable sideways glances with one another, none daring to speakÂ
- up.Â
Sofia charged through the doorway into theÂ
packed room immediately afterward.Â
“Only the Russo Family gets to break every rule?Â
No fair play allowed for Bellandis?”Â
She shot a sneering glare toward Julian.Â
“You spent your pre–wedding night locked up making out with Bianca, so Elena hanging out with an ex on her wedding night’s nothing out of line!”Â
“You verbally promised to respect her family’s customs before the ceremony, remember?”Â
“You can’t go back on your own spoken word now!”Â
Sofia began shooing every man toward the exit.Â
“Alright now the groom’s present, the realÂ
ceremony kicks off!”Â
“Everybody out, go wait elsewhere!”Â
“No way!” Julian roared, his patience completelyÂ
snapped.Â
“Elena planned this whole revenge scheme just to punish me for my night with Bianca!”Â
“You’re getting back at me for ignoring you theseÂ
past three days!”Â
“You dragged some random man in here just toÂ
get under my skin!”Â
“Yep.”Â
Since he’d already figured out my motive, I dropped all pretense and laid all cards on theÂ
table.Â
I stared deep into his bloodshot eyes with cuttingÂ
sarcasm.Â
“You were the first one to betray our eight–yearÂ
commitment.”Â
“You were the first to stomp all over myÂ
self–respect in front of dozens of witnesses.”Â
“You disguised blatant cheating as sacred family.Â
tradition and flaunted your infidelity openly.”Â
“What reason did I have to keep pretendingÂ
everything was fine?”Â
“Plus you already hosted your full weddingÂ
ceremony alongside Bianca earlier today.”Â
“She’s the official bride who stood on your altar inÂ
front of every guest.”Â
“You’ve got zero right dictating who I choose toÂ
spend my evening with.”Â
Julian fell quiet for a lengthy beat before his throatÂ
tightened up and he spoke in a shaky rasp.Â
“Fine.”Â
“I’ll admit the so–called farewell vigil wasÂ
fabricated.”Â
“The full wedding ceremony was always meant for Bianca from the start.”Â
“I lied straight to your face.”Â
“But I had unavoidable reasons for every choice I made.”Â
Tears started pooling at the corner of his eyes.Â
“Bianca’s diagnosed with terminal lupus.”Â
“Doctors confirmed there’s no possible cure for her condition.”Â
“She got down on her knees begging me toÂ
recreate our old romance one final time before she dies.”Â
“I couldn’t bring myself to turn her desperate pleaÂ
down.”Â
Julian’s red–rimmed gaze locked onto mine, voiceÂ
trembling with manufactured sorrow.Â
“I’ve already cut off all future contact with her,Â
Elena.”Â
“I won’t go back on my word.”Â
“From this day forward I’m committed solely toÂ
building our life together.”Â
“Call this guy off and send him away.”Â
“I’m willing to overlook everything that’s happenedÂ
tonight.”Â
“Let’s act like none of this mess ever went down.”Â
Pretending all his betrayal never happened?Â
That suggestion was laughable beyond words.Â
He’d cheated on me overnight right under my nose,Â
with another woman, thrown our pre–plannedÂ
alliance wedding to satisfy Bianca’s selfishÂ
wishes, and now expected me to wipe every insultÂ
from memory like nothing occurred.Â
Impossible.Â
His inner circle all jumped in to plead my case onÂ
his behalf.Â
“Drop the petty fight with Julian, Miss Bellandi.”Â
“He only caved out of pity for Bianca’s terminalÂ
diagnosis.”Â
“His true love’s always been you all along.”Â
“Don’t throw away eight years of history over oneÂ
single mistake.”Â
“Today’s supposed to be your happy weddingÂ
night after all.”Â
“Kick this unknown male guest out before we turn this into a public scandal for both families.”Â
The quiet mysterious man beside me finally opened his mouth to cut through their endless begging.Â
“You think you can boot me out that easily?”Â
“Am I invisible to all of you?”Â
He leaned his weight into my side and curled oneÂ
possessive arm around my waist, lazy arrogant smirk tugging his lips upward.Â
“Elena.”Â
“We struck a deal to finish the Bellandi family’s ritual tonight.”Â
“You wouldn’t go back on your word now, wouldÂ
you?”

