Chapter 41: The big moment

Ana
The morning of my wedding arrived with a mix of emotions ranging from anticipation to a quiet calm. My heart pounded as I looked at myself in the mirror, with the wedding dress hanging behind me, waiting to be worn.
"Miss Ana, everything is ready for you to start getting dressed," Martin entered the room, his face showing a mix of pride and seriousness.
"Thank you, Martin," I replied, looking at the dress. "I can't believe the day has finally arrived."
Martin approached, standing by my side.
"This is a great day, not only for you but for the entire organization. Your union with Paolo will mark a new era of power and stability."
I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. I knew that this wedding was not just a union of love, but also a statement of strength and leadership.
As I began to dress, my phone vibrated repeatedly with calls from Dante. I ignored it, knowing that any conversation with him would only complicate things at this crucial moment.
"I can't help but feel nervous, Martin," I confessed, adjusting the dress's bodice. "What will happen after today?"
Martin looked at me with reassuring calmness.
"After today, you and Paolo will be an unstoppable force. Together, you will lead with a firm hand and a clear vision. This is just the beginning of an era of prosperity and power."
I smiled, trying to find comfort in his words.
"I hope I can live up to expectations."
"I have no doubt that you will, Miss Ana," Martin replied, helping me adjust the veil.
As I finished dressing, the door opened and Valeria tried to enter.
"Ana, I need to see you," Valeria said, her voice full of urgency.
"Valeria, please, not now," I replied, trying to stay calm. "I need to focus."
Valeria tried to insist, but Martin intervened.
"I'm sorry, Miss Valeria, but Miss Ana needs peace and quiet right now. You can talk to her after the ceremony."
Valeria nodded, though her face was etched with worry. She knew she had important things to tell me, but now was not the time.
Once I was fully dressed, I looked in the mirror one more time. The reflection showed a strong and determined woman, ready to face any challenge.
"It's time," Martin said, extending his arm to escort me to the door.
We walked down the flower- and light-adorned aisles, each step bringing me closer to the altar and my future with Paolo. When I reached the end of the aisle, I saw my uncle Marco waiting for me, with an expression of pride and love.
"Uncle Marco," I spoke, my voice choked with emotion.
"Ana, you look beautiful." His hug was so warm that I forgot even the nerves of the moment. "I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, Uncle," I replied, feeling tears welling up in my eyes. "Thank you for being here for me."
Marco took my hand, preparing to lead me to the altar.
"It's an honor for me. Don't forget that your parents also married quickly because they knew they loved each other. Today, you follow in their footsteps, Ana."
I took a deep breath, feeling the calm that his words brought me. With Marco by my side and Martin watching over me, I felt safe and ready to face whatever came.
"I'm ready," I said, looking Marco in the eyes.
"Then let's go," he replied, guiding me towards the altar.
As I walked down the aisle, with my uncle Marco holding my arm, I could feel my heart pounding. The hall was decorated with white flowers and candles, every detail carefully planned for our big day. My gaze fell on Paolo, standing at the end of the aisle, with a smile that radiated love and confidence.
"Are you sure about this, right?" Marco whispered to me, his voice warm. "If you decide you've changed your mind, I'll take care of everything, Ana."
"I'm convinced this is the right thing to do. I know it," I replied, trying to hold back tears of emotion. "It's always been about Paolo and me."
As we walked on, memories and thoughts flooded my mind. I thought about my parents and how they had married quickly because they knew they wanted to be together. I thought about all the hardships Paolo and I had overcome and the love I felt for him, even though the memories were vague, the feeling was strong and authentic.
Finally, we reached the altar. Marco left me by Paolo's side, who took my hand gently but firmly.
"I love you, Ana," Paolo said to me, his eyes shining with determination and love.
"I love you too," I replied, feeling a deep warmth in my heart.
The officiant began to speak, reciting the ceremonial words. My thoughts were tangled in the moment, in the importance of what we were doing.
"Today, we are here to unite Ana and Paolo in marriage," the officiant said. "In the presence of their loved ones, they make vows of love and eternal loyalty."
Paolo and I looked at each other, and we took turns saying our vows.
"Ana, I promise to love and protect you, to stand by your side in every battle and share with you every victory," Paolo said, his voice firm and sincere.
"Paolo, I promise to love and support you, to face every challenge together and share with you every moment of joy," my voice cracked with emotion.
The officiant looked at us and smiled.
"If anyone has any objection, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Silence reigned in the room, until the officiant spoke again.
"Paolo, do you take Ana as your wife?"
"I do," Paolo replied without hesitation.
"Ana, do you take Paolo as your husband?"
"I do."
Just then, the doors of the hall burst open and Dante appeared, followed by an unknown woman. Chaos broke out instantly. Shots rang out and screams were heard, and people started running in all directions.
"Ana, take cover!" Paolo yelled, throwing me to the floor and covering me with his body.
I looked around, trying to understand what was happening. The woman who had entered with Dante was slowly approaching, with a cold and calculating look.
"Don't get any closer!" Paolo shouted, pulling out his gun and pointing it at her. "One more step and I shoot!"
I froze as the woman stopped in front of us, her gaze fixed on me. I recognized her instantly, even though it was impossible.
"Ana..." Her voice echoed in my ears like a distant memory.
The chaos around us disappeared in an instant, and all I could see was the face of that woman. Paolo looked at me, his expression of disbelief and confusion mirroring what I felt.
"Mom?" I whispered, unable to believe what I was seeing.
"Yes, Ana, it’s me," Luisa replied, stepping forward.
"Don't come any closer!" Paolo shouted again, tightening his grip on the gun.
The tension in the air was palpable, and I felt like the ground was crumbling beneath my feet. I couldn't process what was happening, couldn't understand how my mother was there, alive, after all these years.
"Ana, there are many things you need to know," my mother said urgently. "But now is not the time or place. Please, come with me."
Paolo stood his ground, not lowering the gun. "You’re not taking Ana. Not while I’m here."
I looked around, seeing the confusion and fear on the faces of our guests. My mind was in chaos, trying to grasp what was happening.
"Paolo, I need answers," I finally said, my voice trembling but determined. "I need to know what’s going on."
He looked at me, his expression softening. "I know, Ana. But I don’t trust her."
Before I could respond, Dante stepped forward, his face a mask of desperation.
"Ana, please, listen to her," he pleaded. "There are things you need to know, things that will change everything."
A wave of overwhelming emotions hit me. I didn’t know whom to trust, didn’t know what to do. But one thing was clear: I needed answers, and I needed to understand what was happening before I could make any decisions.