CHAPTER SIX
N o one promised me a rose garden, hearts, and happiness. I’d known from the start that my arranged marriage was to restore our wealth and lineage. The only thing I wanted to do was check in on Mama. She never, not even for a moment over the years, gave me any indication that she was in a conservatorship. All this time I’d thought my grandparents keeping me from her was cruel, but I hadn’t even considered my mother had a mental breakdown. She had been distraught all those years ago, but she seemed to be fine living with Glenn. I never saw him angry with her, though he seemed indifferent to everything. Their mansion in Connecticut was beautiful, and Mama never spent her time trapped inside. Instead she did a lot of charities and events in her community. Maybe I’m overthinking it. She’s safe from Judge Colby, and that’s more important. So why would she still need it?
I sat down on the bed with my phone and called her. She answered on the first ring.
“Adelina, hello? Are you all right? Did something happen?”
“Hi Mama. No, nothing happened. Everything’s fine. I…I called to talk to you.” I added a cheery lift to my tone and winced. But that was how it had been for a while. We didn’t do casual calls. It was always about something I had to do.
“Okay.” She let out a nervous laugh.
“So. Uhm, how was Glenn’s tournament?” I moved the pillows and sat up.
“He came in third. You’d think he’d came in first the way he’s carrying on.” She chuckled and I joined in.
“I should’ve called you. I’m sorry. I’ve been busy—”
“It’s fine, Mama. I understand.”
“So, uhm. Did you speak with my parents tonight?”
“Yes, I did. That’s why I called. Uh they told me they found a new match?”
“Good.”
I stared at the ceiling. “So you knew?”
“I did, but my mother wanted to tell you and I had already messed up by telling you the news about Ashford at graduation when she wanted to tell you later—”
“Mama, you didn’t mess up. I’m your daughter. You can tell me stuff.”
“I know, I know,” she said and sighed down the line. “But yeah. They brokered an arranged marriage with Mr. Rocco Marini. The Marini’s are a famous family we’ve known forever. I went to school with a few Marini’s at one time.”
My mouth went dry. “Oh, I didn’t know. But well everyone has heard of Rocco. He’s been in commercials and documentaries.”
“Yeah. He’s a celebrity, and honestly, I didn’t believe it was serious until he called and told me he was sincere about marrying you.”
“Rocco called you?” My voice raised, and I fidgeted with the loose strings of fabric on my zip-up jacket.
“Yes, he did. He asked me for permission to marry you, which he didn’t have to since my parents were the negotiators of the arranged marriage.” Her voice was soft.
“Doesn’t matter if they are. You’re my mother. Of course he’d ask you, too.” I tried to assure her.
“Yes, well. Anyway, I told him yes.” Her tone wasn’t exactly happy about it.
“Okay. But…when you were talking to him did he tell you why he’s marrying me?” I asked and bit my bottom lip.
“Probably because two powerful, historical, wealthy families merging would have no limits. My father thinks Rocco could become the most influential man in politics, and we could have the wealth we used to have. You could raise a senator, supreme court judge, or even a president.”
I touched my churning stomach as excitement and dread battled inside me. It hurt that they hadn’t considered me having a career at all—I couldn’t be more than a wife or mother. The real plans were for my children, as that was what I agreed to do. I wanted the stability for my family. I’ll sacrifice my life for a better life for them. “Yeah, I hear you. It just seems like I’m an odd choice for him.”
“Yeah, I agree. I’d never choose a man like Rocco Marini for you if it were up to me.”
“Why not?” I asked. It wasn’t that I disagreed with her, but I wanted to know why she also thought we weren’t a good match.
“Because marriage could be a whim for him, and only he can end it. Who knows what kind of depravity lies behind that pretty face?”
“Mama,” I drawled out and rolled my eyes.
“I’m serious, Adelina. He could hurt you and leave you with nothing. His lawyers will bury you in court cases, and you’ll never see a dime. Then, you’ll be on your knees, begging my parents. And the second you do, your life will be over….”
Mama’s life had been with my father. She was trapped in an abusive relationship, lost custody of her son, and almost me as well. She needed me to succeed just as much as my grandparents. Knowing as much, I decided not to tell Mama about the backup plan of marrying Percy Sterling. Grandmother was positively distraught at the mere mention of him . I didn’t want to cause her any distress or instability now that her life was better than ever. “Is there anything I need to know?”
“ My parents need your marriage ceremony to collect all ten million dollars. They’ll get more money every year and a hefty trust for your descendants.”
A sting cut in at Mama distinguishing her parents as only belonging to her. They never quite included me as their family, even after I’d taken the Belfiore name after her divorce. However, that was a consideration for another time. Mama was finally sharing what I needed to know that my grandparents had left out.
“The marriage has to last five months before collecting the Longfellow property. That’s the information their lawyer, Reese, gave me as a gift because he always felt bad about what happened to me. That means you have five months to announce you’re pregnant with Rocco’s baby. A public man like Rocco will not leave a wife who’s pregnant with his child.”
My stomach knotted. “A baby? Already?”
“Yes. Try to get things happening quickly. I know we haven’t talked about sex—”
“Not now,” I interrupted her and pressed my chest. “I’m just getting my head around everything. Give me a chance to catch my breath.”
“Life doesn’t wait for breaths, Adelina. Be smarter than I was. Play their game. You’ll be married. You always knew a child was important in this marriage arrangement.”
My grandparents never let me forget. I was a surrogate for their legacy. What if there is another pact to take even more control of my child? The thought made my head dizzy. Mama did everything they told her to do. She had been remarried for five years now. Was she happy? I had to know.
I stared at the ceiling and took a deep breath. “Mama, can I ask you something personal?”
“Of course you can, but I can’t promise you I’ll answer.” She laughed nervously.
“Does Glenn love you?”
My stepfather was always kind, but there was a hesitation when they touched.
“No, he doesn’t,” she said flatly. “We don’t love each other. He has his life, and I have mine. I keep him on schedule, attend his events, and work on the charities. But it’s better this way. Love only leads to suffering. When you love, you lose your head, and take risks that can only lead to your ruin.”
That was her experience. Though it hurt to see how alone her life must be with Glenn and constantly being under my grandparents’ supervision. “You can divorce him, you know. Marry someone you love.”
Yes, divorcing was rare, but not impossible. She could if she was so unhappy.
“Love’s a childish dream, Adelina. You’re beautiful, kind, and hardworking. I admire you so much, but I want you to remove those romantic thoughts from your mind. You give Rocco friendship and support, but you must never love him. Promise me.” Her voice was strong with conviction and pain. I’d seen her at her lowest; I understood where love without reason could lead. Not only had I learned that love was conditional— especially with my grandparents—but I was now to enter into a marriage, knowing I’d never be loved. Knowing my husband could seek his pleasure elsewhere, outside of marriage. That I’d always be alone. Love wouldn’t ever be a possibility .
“I won’t love him, Mama. I promise.” I wasn’t sure I was even capable of love, if I was being honest.
“Good, now goodnight.”
We ended the call, and I returned to the room for bed.
Rocco bought me for my name; he didn’t want or need me. But ultimately, he would be my new husband. I needed to become his wife and share his bed.
I’ll give him my body, but never my heart.
I couldn’t sleep, and at eight in the morning, I finally texted Mr. Marini. He was always up early at his bird sanctuary.
Adelina: What are you up to, old man?
He texted back almost instantly.
M: Mia dolce, Adelina. You have a way with words. What happened to the niceties of our greetings? Are you enjoying your time off? Or are you disappointed you’re not kissing Mrs. Ashford’s feet?
I laughed. He knew all about Ashford’s marriage proposal and apparently, his mother.
Adelina: I could have handled her.
M: Isn’t it better that you don’t have to? My grandson isn’t a bad alternative. He said your second meeting went well.
I touched my warm cheek. Rocco would say that after I leered at him. But why did Mr. Marini choose me?
Sure, we had a good friendship, one that had become important in my life. Because of Mr. Marini and Cassidy, I’d survived the lonely years at school. At times, thrived. Sometimes I pretended that he was my true family. He never judged me. Never patronized me. Never told me I was worth nothing, only there to serve a financial purpose. He made me feel wanted. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure I would have survived without him throughout the years.
Before I could write back, he sent a new message.
M: Why not read the book I sent if you can’t sleep? I bet you haven’t started it yet.
I glanced at the book on my side table.
Adelina: Not yet.
M: Read and forget about the rest. The path has already been made.
I grinned. He was always right about that.
Adelina: Thanks.
Rocco seemed nice, and he wasn’t a complete stranger like Mr. Ashford. I thought about my past conversations with Mr. Marini over the years. He shared the reason Rocco traveled a lot was because he hated the press hounding him. All the searching online showed the man flying all over the world for his documentaries and films. It was exciting, but what would that mean for me? Would he leave me in a house and travel alone? Hmm, that doesn’t sound so bad . But what if he’s out there and falls in love and divorces me? Too much could go wrong.
But I was getting ahead of myself. I took Mr. Marini’s advice and went to bed with a copy of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World . The story had me absorbed in a technocrat society ushering in a dystopian future. I enjoyed the distraction, but the arranged marriage still remained.
I drifted….
Hands shook me, and my eyes opened. It was Mrs. Belfiore. Smiling? “I’ve been up early getting a few new dresses and shoes.”
Patricia was also there and so was a woman I didn’t know. She followed my gaze.
“She’s a stylist,” Mrs. Belfiore told me. “Go take a shower. We only have two hours to prepare.”