91. Chapter Ninety-One
Chapter Ninety-One
Mariella
I ’ve spent the last few hours with mamma , Isa, and Mia, going over the final details for Gualtiero De Marco’s memorial service.
It’s the first event I’ve had to organize as the new Mrs. De Marco, the wife of the Don, and the pressure is on.
Thank God for mamma . Without her, this would have been a thousand times more nerve-wracking. She used to throw grand parties for Father all the time and never batted an eye.
Meanwhile, I still feel like an imposter in this world, a Cinderella who stumbled into the prince’s palace but hasn’t quite figured out how to wear the crown.
Except in my version of the fairy tale, the happily ever after doesn’t look the way I imagined.
I love Teo as much as ever, but I hardly see him. I knew things would be busy, that this transition would take time. But knowing that doesn’t make the separation any easier.
He leaves before sunrise and often doesn’t return until deep into the night. When I do see him, he’s exhausted.
The easy-going man who once embraced life to the fullest is gone, buried beneath the weight of his responsibilities. It’s made worse by the constant burden that he has to do it all without his brother.
I worry about him. About what this life is doing to him.
“I’m going to ring the florist to confirm our order,” Mamma says, rising from her seat under the umbrella. She disappears inside, and Mia follows, eager to oversee the arrangements. Flowers have always been her passion, and this part of the memorial is more hers than anyone else’s.
Isa and I remain, the afternoon sun casting shifting shadows across the terrace. She lifts her teacup, takes a slow sip, and then says, almost too casually, “I’ve met someone.”
I blink, momentarily thrown. “What do you mean you met someone? Father watched us like a hawk, and you’ve been here with me since he died. We haven’t left the house.”
She sets her cup down, a smirk playing on her lips.
“I met him online. We’ve been chatting for a while. He seems really nice. I’m going to meet him next week.”
I stare at her, stunned. “Isa, that could be incredibly dangerous.”
She rolls her eyes. “He’s not in the Mafia, Mari. He’s just a regular guy with a regular job.”
I frown. “You think he’s a regular guy. But you don’t really know, Isa. He could be lying about everything.”
She sighs, leaning back in her chair. “Yes, he could. And I’m sure plenty of people do. But give me some credit. I’ve done my research. I know who he is, and everything checks out.”
I shake my head. “Luca really taught you a thing or two, didn’t he?”
A flicker of pain and regret crosses her face.
“Yeah. Except for how to stay in touch with him.”
“Isa, that’s on him.”
She nods, but I can see the lingering hurt in her eyes.
“Maybe. But the outcome is the same.”
She takes a bite of her cake, chewing thoughtfully.
“I will meet Andrea. There’s no stopping me, Mari. This is my chance to make my own choices, and I’m not going to squander it.
“God knows who will try to arrange my marriage next. I refuse to let someone else decide my future for me again. I won’t be married off like a business transaction.”
I exhale, my heart twisting for her. “ Mamma wouldn’t allow that. Not now that we’re free of Father.”
“I don’t think so either, but if certain parties pressure her, what then?” She tilts her head, watching me carefully. “Or worse, what if someone approaches your husband with a proposal for me?”
I freeze, the idea creeping me out. “He wouldn’t agree to it, Isa. Not without your consent.”
Her voice softens, but there’s steel beneath it.
“Let’s be real, Mari. As Mateo’s sisters-in-law, me and the girls are valuable. A well-placed marriage could strengthen alliances, just like with Father. A man could woo us, charm us, make us feel safe and get our consent, only to reveal his true colors when it’s too late to escape.”
She takes a deep breath, her eyes dark with determination.
“I don’t want a life like mamma ’s. I want out. And the only way to do that is to marry a regular man, someone completely removed from our world.”
I’m not sure what to say. Part of me wants to argue, to tell her she’s being paranoid. But I can’t. Because she’s right.
I reach for her hand, squeezing it.
“I’ll support you no matter what.” I swallow hard, my own fears bubbling to the surface.
“If Mateo and I had a choice, we’d pick the quiet, predictable life too. I love him, Isa. So much. I want to grow old with him and have lots of babies.”
My voice drops to a whisper, tears stinging my eyes. “But I don’t think we’ll get that chance. With everything happening around us, all these attacks… it’s only a matter of time before one succeeds.”
Isa squeezes my hand in return, her grip firm, reassuring. She doesn’t say anything… she doesn’t have to. The unspoken understanding between us says enough.
We both know what this world does to love.
And I fear the day it might take mine away.