CHAPTER FOUR
“D on’t put on eyeliner or blush. A man likes a young lady to look innocent.” Mama gave her motherly wisdom, and I fought hard not to roll my eyes as she paced around her old bedroom. It had been so long since Mama had had any significant input in my life that I almost wanted to ask her to stop.
I brushed my brows and applied lip moisturizer before picking up my dress flats and carrying them to the door. We had already used up our time; there was none left to prepare or think—not even about running into Rocco Marini, not that I could share it with Mama. She never had a kind word to say about men nowadays, and was always suspicious they’d try to bring harm to her. She’d also remind me of my agreement with my grandparents. Not that I’m interested . Soon I’d laugh about Rocco’s “flirting” with Cassidy when my marriage prep finished, and I could get time alone to call her. Nantucket wasn’t that far away from Massachusetts. Maybe she could visit?
There was also something else to worry about. My family wouldn’t allow me to spend any time with men. I wondered if that was a mistake. Had it left me awkward as a school kid? Would my new husband find me lacking because I wasn’t sophisticated?
Mama placed a hand on my back, leading me toward the door. “Let’s go.”
We went downstairs and had almost reached Mr. Belfiore’s study when he stepped out with a middle-aged woman in a pantsuit. She came forward with a smile. “You must be Adelina. Wow, you’re stunning.” She clasped both of my hands. “I’m Brenda Esposito; I’m your marriage liaison and mediator. So happy to finally meet you. We need you to sign a few papers. Okay?”
Mr. Belfiore’s face was blank, and I glanced at Mama.
“It’s standard, Adelina,” she said.
There were already a couple of men in suits seated at a mahogany table inside the office. “Lawyers,” Mr. Belfiore mumbled as all the information we would need, or he would ever share about them.
“This is the license,” Brenda said in a sing-song voice. “You sign here and here.” She pointed at the papers. “It’s your marriage license. I’m a notary. Once Mr. Ashford signs, I can file it. However, the wedding ceremony will need to take place to finalize the marriage, but this is the legal part of the process.”
My pulse quickened as I shifted my gaze over the papers. I hadn’t expected the marriage to be so impersonal. Mama touched my back to let me know it would be okay, and I signed my name on the forms, including a non-disclosure agreement.
The lawyers presented another form along with the Belfiores’ family trust, which had my name and eight hundred thousand dollars in it as well as a list of things my grandparents had paid off for me. It had deducted my private school, college tuition, and an itemized list of all my care, including the mediators’ fees and my wedding. It still had money left, but from what I could decipher, it wasn’t something I could easily take away. I’d have to get authorization to do so until I turned forty or had a son. My head swam, dizzying with the impact of knowing how much of my life would still not be mine. Still, I signed. Then, Mr. Belfiore led us out of the room while Brenda met with him and the lawyers.
We joined my grandmother in the living room, and sat down on the newly upholstered, floral couches that faced an empty one, and waited. Not long after, Mr. Belfiore and Brenda joined us, and then the doorbell rang.
My heartbeat pounded as the sound of heels on marble grew louder and the Ashfords appeared. William was pastel-shirted and chinoed, while his mom was in a vintage Chanel pink suit with tights and heels. Mr. Ashford’s tanned face didn’t hide all the wrinkles present. His bleached bright smile shone as he moved a slow gaze over me approvingly, then held out his hand for me to shake. “Wow. You look even lovelier in person, Adelina.”
My lips curved. “Thank you, Mr. Ashford.”
Mr. Ashford’s head turned, and his brows went up as he watched his mother take a seat on the couch without acknowledgement.
He let out a light chuckle. “I’m Willy, and that’s my mother, the boss.” He gave me a wink.
I grinned. I know the feeling. His smile broadened.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Ashford,” I said politely.
She lifted her chin and clutched her purse strap tight. “Can we get on with it?”
Brenda laughed loudly. “You’re so funny, Mrs. Ashford.” She motioned for one of the lawyers from the other room to take a seat. “This is our attorney, Kevin. He’s here to answer any legal questions you may have about what we discuss today. I’d like to confirm that everyone in here signed non-disclosure agreements, which both parties agreed to. So you can talk freely as nothing you say can leave this room without legal action.”
We all confirmed. I sat next to Mama while Mr. Ashford sat beside his mother.
She continued, “We’ve been in a discussion that we hoped we could work through together as a family since you will all soon become a family.”
Mrs. Ashford cleared her throat loudly. “Well, there’s some news that has recently come to our attention that we can’t ignore—”
“I believe we could look past it,” Mr. Ashford interrupted.
She gave him a cool stare. “I can’t. Now, I have no doubt Adelina is a lovely lady, but our private investigator informed us that she attacked her father when she was fourteen.”
My face heated, and I stared at Mama, whose eyes widened in surprise. Just hearing that brought it all back—me standing over Judge Colby….
My face swollen from his punches, with drops of blood oozing from my cut lip. But I won’t drop the folding chair. I crouch and tighten my grip, waiting for his next move.
He’s in a heap on the filthy orange carpet in the pay-by-the-hour motel room.
Fast wet breaths and coughs come from his lips.
His syringe and aluminum foil are ready for his next fix. He didn’t hide them anymore.
Mama tugging on my sore arm. “Let it go, Adelina.”
I see her face, red and bruised. Her clothes are torn off, but she grabs a sweater to cover my ripped shirt and cheap bra with the broken clasp.
He’s been waiting to cross that line.
The sound of sirens grow closer. Still, I swing the chair down on him.
Swing. “Never.”
Swing. “Asshole.”
Swing. “Just die.”
Pride swelled inside me as I remembered. I don’t care. I fought back .
“That was a long time ago, and in self-defense, because he was violent to us,” Mama said. “Since then, Adelina’s graduated with honors. She’s done a lot of volunteering at college and was a top fundraiser for every organization she became involved in.”
I’d volunteered and fundraised to help people who were in similar situations like my mom and I had been in, living with Judge Colby, who would always make our lives hell with his drugs and stealing.
“That’s something we have in common, Adelina,” Mr. Ashford said in a light tone. “My mother and I were both impressed.”
“We were ,” Mrs. Ashford said, and huffed. “I’m fair-minded, and I understand challenging…family dynamics, but I’m uncomfortable about having a woman who’s forceful in our home. You must understand, my Willy’s a sensitive man—he would never hurt a fly. He’s going to be governor one day, and he needs to marry a woman with less of a troubled past. That’s why we’ve decided that Lana would be a better match for him.”
Staring at Mrs. Belfiore, she looked as shocked as me. This news had been most unexpected. Lana Belfiore, my cousin, had only just graduated from high school yesterday.
“Then why did you come today?” Mrs. Belfiore asked in a curt tone.
Mrs. Ashford jutted her chin. “We’re polite and in civil company. We planned a luncheon, and I always love coming out to Westchester County whenever I leave Nantucket.”
“I also wanted to tell you all in person that I’m very sorry,” Willy said solemnly. His eyes glazed over, and I realized then that, even at his age, he wasn’t free to do whatever he wanted.
“We’d hoped you’d changed your mind, but we see you haven’t,” Mr. Belfiore said in an even tone. “But we had also invited my brother Lawrence, his girlfriend Sybil, and Lana to our lunch. I’m sure they’ll be delighted with the news.” His voice was monotone, his expression blank.
Chime . The doorbell rang, followed by loud chattering before I could say anything.
“Why did I have to come?” a young girl’s voice echoed loudly inside the house. “It’s not like I had to. You already decided.”
“Lana, be quiet,” a woman scolded.
Brenda laughed nervously. “Lana’s so playful. Well, I guess we should move into the dining room?” She raised her penciled brows.
“Yes, I believe that’s best.” Mrs. Belfiore stood and walked with Ms. Ashford. Willy stayed back and mouthed “sorry” to me before he left the room.
“What’s going on, Father?” Mama asked him, her arms crossed.
Mr. Belfiore averted his eyes. “I don’t know how he found out. That case was sealed because she was a minor—”
“Yes, that’s what you promised me,” Mama snapped.
He glared at her. “I’ve no control over whatever connections Ashford has at his disposal. Matches aren’t guaranteed; you should know that by now. Willy was fine with it; his mother was the one who had a problem. We spoke yesterday, and she said she’d sleep on it.”
Mama grimaced and continued to argue, but I tuned them out. No matter what Mama said, the discussion was over.
“Drop it, Lorelei. We’re not alone, and I’ll not tolerate a scene,” Mr. Belfiore hissed and straightened his tie. “You both can have lunch in the sunroom; I’ll excuse your absences.”
“I’m not hungry,” I told him.
He smirked at me. “Then busy yourself with something else. I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy sitting there with the husband you lost while he makes plans with your cousin.”
I stood. “No, I wouldn’t.”
Mama scoffed. “Since this change, Adelina should stay with me in Connecticut—”
“No. Adelina stays here,” Mr. Belfiore said in an authoritative tone. “You should join Glenn at his golf tournament. We agreed to the graduation and the wedding preparation, but that’s changed, as you can see. I’m upset, too, Lorelei. I missed Adelina’s graduation trying to smooth things over. But your anger around here will only exhaust your mother. You can call her when you return.”
Mama snorted. “You promised me that Mr. Ashford would marry Adelina, but instead of doing something about that, you’re hosting them and kicking me out?”
“Because of you, my brother Lawrence is the head of our family,” he said in a sharp tone. “I have a duty to be cordial now. You see, Lorelei, I put my family first.”
Mama’s face flushed and she lowered her head. “Yeah, well…she’s an adult now. If she wants to come back with me, she can, instead of staying here after being humiliated. What do you want to do, Adelina?”
Mama was emotional because she wanted the best for me. However, I also knew she’d send me back after a day.
I squeezed her hand. “I’m staying here. Let’s have lunch.”
Circumstances had changed and causing a scene wouldn’t make things better. Besides, with Mr. Belfiore’s brother waiting for him back in the dining room, he didn’t have time to micromanage us. We watched him hurry off without another word.
We were silent over our lunch, with Mama spending more of the time on her phone. When we finished, she finally said, “It’ll be fine. My father never has only one option. Okay?”
I nodded. “I’m sure. Besides, his mother was very bossy.”
Mama scoffed. “Wasn’t she just awful? But he’s worse, spineless.” Her brows knitted. “My parents didn’t show it, but they’re upset. Just stay out of their way…you can enjoy yourself. There are stables down the road if you want to ride. I’m sure mother could be talked into taking you into Manhattan for shopping if you want to, or you can go in with a driver.”
Mama tried to lighten the conversation by talking about things we both knew wouldn’t happen. Somehow, everything had fallen apart, and now, because I defended myself instead of being sold off and probably harmed worse, I’d ruined my prospects. My “challenging family dynamics” were known and looked down upon. Would they ever even find a match? And how does this affect Jacob? I knew my grandparents were counting on the money from our match.
So what will we do?