I clutched the edge of my sleeve, unable to meet my father's eyes.
Not until I heard him ask, "Why don't you want to marry him?"
His tone was gentle. He didn't seem angry.
Only then did I dare speak. "I don't have feelings for him anymore."
It was the most straightforward reason I could think of.
I could hardly tell my father that I had been bound to Dominic Valenti twice before. That the first time, I fell from a cliff and died. That the second time, I lost my head on the executioner's block, the whole Corsetti family lined up beside me, every last one put to the sword.
He wouldn't believe me even if I told him. Better to say nothing.
My father studied me, brow furrowed. "Serafina, you have never been reckless."
"There must be another reason."
"Since you won't say, I won't press."
"But let me remind you of one thing. Dominic has been by your side since childhood. He has always adored you. A match like that is rare. Don't do something you'll regret."
A rare match?
I used to believe that too. That Dominic Valenti was everything I could hope for.