Chapter 31
Tiziano Constanzo
The doorbell rang in the middle of the afternoon. One of the guards came to tell me, and I frowned, irritated. We weren’t expecting anyone.
“Who is it?” I asked, already getting to my feet.
“Mrs. Bianca’s parents and sister, Don.”
Ah, of course. The Ferruccis. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. After all, I wasn’t a man to turn down an opportunity to establish the hierarchy once and for all.
“Let them in,” I ordered, adjusting my tie.
When I saw them entering the main living room, it was impossible to ignore the way they looked around, their admiration for the grandeur of the house obvious. Lucia, always meddling, was the first to speak.
“The house is beautiful!” she exclaimed with that fake smile that only irritated me more.
I gave her a cold smile, already having the right words on the tip of my tongue.
“You’re right, it’s a beautiful property. But sometimes I think my wife has already grown tired of it. I’m considering buying a larger one, with a more spacious bedroom. Bianca likes luxury, and I like spoiling her.”
Lucia’s eyes lit up for a moment before narrowing, as though she were trying to interpret what I really meant.
“I’m sure my in-laws never gave her anything less, of course, within their means.” I paused, letting the sarcasm drip from my words as I watched their reactions. “I only want to replicate the same care you showed in raising her.”
Ant?nio cleared his throat, uncomfortable.
Bianca was coming down the stairs and slowed her steps. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw her parents and Giulia sitting in the living room as though they were important figures of distinction, although their posture betrayed how uncomfortable they were surrounded by the mansion’s luxury.
“We did the best we could, Don Tiziano,” Ant?nio said nervously.
I leaned slightly forward, an icy smile playing on my lips.
“I’m sure you did,” I replied, making it clear I didn’t believe a single word.
Bianca approached, her eyes shifting between me and her family.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” she murmured.
Lucia was the first to react, standing with a forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Surprise, sweetheart. We thought it would be nice to visit you and see a little of your new life.”
Bianca looked away, clasping her hands together in a nervous gesture that didn’t escape my notice.
“Bring coffee for my in-laws,” I ordered one of the staff members.
Bianca gave me a quick glance but soon lowered her head again.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” I asked Ant?nio, feigning interest as I adjusted the watch on my wrist.
“I know we should have called ahead, but a few unexpected problems came up, and we wanted to ask the Don for help,” he replied quickly, his voice uncertain.
“Help?” I paused, studying their expressions. “Don’t worry. I’m always willing to listen to my wife’s family.”
Bianca placed her hand on my arm.
“Please, sit down. We can talk while dinner is being prepared,” I suggested, leading everyone into the living room.
Bianca sat on the couch beside me, and Ant?nio cleared his throat before continuing.
“Don Tiziano, as we said, we came to ask for some help…”
I raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to continue.
“The company has been having some problems with… supplies. And, of course, I thought I might be able to count on you to help us stabilize the situation.”
My expression remained neutral.
“I’ll look into it. Send the details to my office.”
He nodded quickly, visibly relieved.
At that moment, a staff member entered to announce that dinner was served.
“Let’s go,” I said, holding out my hand to Bianca, who immediately stood.
The table was impeccable, filled with the finest food the staff had prepared.
“Sit,” I said, pulling out a chair for Bianca before taking my place at the head of the table.
When everyone seemed settled and comfortable enough, I looked at Giulia.
“Giulia, pour my wife a glass of juice.”
She stared at me in disbelief.
“Me?”
“Why not? Can’t you serve her? It’s only a courtesy.”
Lucia discreetly nudged her, and Giulia stood with an irritated sigh, trying to hide her displeasure.
“There’s no need, I can serve myself,” Bianca tried to intervene.
“Bianca!” I interrupted, my tone firm and irritated. She stopped immediately, and I turned to Giulia. “Continue.”
Giulia did as I ordered, pouring the juice with abrupt movements before returning to her seat, barely concealing her irritation.
“Bianca, what do you want to eat?” I asked, taking some of the things I knew she liked.
“I’m not that hungry,” she replied softly.
I leaned slightly toward her, wearing a hard smile.
“Then eat whatever you want. Your family will watch while you eat, and when you’re finished, they can serve themselves.”
Lucia sucked in a sharp breath, glaring at me with contained anger.
“What are you doing?” she asked, trying to control her tone.
Ant?nio grabbed her hand in an attempt to calm her, but she was clearly losing control.
“Isn’t this how my wife used to live? Eating whatever was left on the table? Here, in her own home, she eats first, and you wait. I imagine you have no problem with that, considering you subjected her to it for so many years.”
Lucia’s face turned red, her eyes narrowing.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about?” Ant?nio finally tried to intervene. “We never treated Bianca that way. We always did the best we could for her.”
I leaned slightly forward, my icy gaze settling on both of them.
“Don’t like how things work here? You can leave. After all, you weren’t invited. I thought I made it clear that you were only to come if my wife wanted to see you.”
Lucia raised her voice slightly, her tone hysterical.
“I’ve never been so humiliated! What has that girl been telling you? We always raised her well!”
I leaned a little closer.
“You’ve never made even the slightest effort to make me believe that.”
My voice dropped slightly.
“This is my house, and Bianca is my wife. No one humiliates her behind my back, much less in front of me. Because believe me, I always know everything that happens.”
The silence was absolute. Bianca lowered her head, her hands resting in her lap, but a faint smile appeared on her lips. I liked seeing her smile. I was beginning to like her far more than I had planned.