Chapter 3 - THE EX-HUSBAND WHO FORGOT HIS PLACE
The trouble began before the song ended.
Tyler approached us with Vanessa following several steps behind.
“Jessica.”
I closed my eyes.
Not again.
Giovanni stopped moving.
His hand remained lightly against my back.
“Tyler,” I said.
My ex-husband looked from me to Giovanni.
Then forced a smile.
“Didn't realize you knew Mr. Fioraldi.”
Giovanni answered before I could.
“She knows me.”
Tyler swallowed.
“Right.”
Vanessa approached.
Her diamond necklace glittered beneath the lights.
“Jessica, darling, what a surprise.”
I looked at her.
“Hello, Vanessa.”
Her eyes moved toward Giovanni.
Then back to me.
“Are you two together?”
I opened my mouth.
Giovanni spoke first.
“Tonight, she's with me.”
The words were simple.
But the silence that followed was extraordinary.
Tyler looked as though someone had struck him.
Vanessa's smile froze.
Across the dance floor, my mother turned.
Then my father.
Then Sophia.
Within seconds, half the wedding was watching.
Tyler cleared his throat.
“Well, Jessica and I have a history.”
Giovanni's expression didn't change.
“I heard.”
Tyler gave a nervous laugh.
“Look, whatever she told you—”
“She hasn't told me anything.”
Giovanni's voice remained calm.
“I heard what you said about your daughter.”
Tyler went pale.
Vanessa shifted.
“I'm sure he didn't mean—”
Giovanni looked at her.
“Did he say it?”
Vanessa fell silent.
Then Giovanni turned back to Tyler.
“A child is not a mistake because her father lacks the courage to love her.”
My throat tightened.
Tyler opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Giovanni continued.
“You're at a wedding. Your wife is expecting a baby. Perhaps you should spend the evening learning how to behave like a father.”
The silence became unbearable.
Then Giovanni looked at me.
“Jessica, would you like to leave?”
I stared at him.
For five years, nobody had defended Lily without making me feel ashamed of needing help.
I swallowed.
“Yes.”
May you like
He offered his arm.
And I walked out of my sister's wedding with Chicago's most feared mafia boss.
