Elisabetta gives me a small nod. She's still pretty standoffish with me, and I get it, I really do, so I'm not pushing her.
"So... how are you feeling? Dad said you're pretty much fully recovered now," Valentina asks softly.
"Yes, I'm doing much better. The doctors say I'm healing well," I say, voice wobbling slightly. It's still hard to think about what my father did to me.
"That's good," Valentina says, fidgeting with her napkin. "We were worried about you."
My heart warms at her words. "Thank you," I say softly. "That means a lot."
"I'm really sorry you had to deal with that," Elisabetta tells me. "That you had a father who hurt you."
I'm touched by Elisabetta speaking up. I know she doesn't approve of me, so it means everything.
"Thank you, Elisabetta," I say softly. "I appreciate that."
"So, um, we heard about the meeting Dad had. About the arranged marriages," Sofia says.
I nod, watching their reactions carefully. "Yes, your father told me about it. How are you all feeling?"
Valentina shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant, but I can see tension in her shoulders. "It's not like we didn't know this was coming, right? It's just how things work in our world."
Elisabetta, however, looks pale and nervous. "I... I don't know if I'm ready," she admits quietly. "I mean, I knew it would happen eventually, but... I'm only eighteen."
My heart goes out to her. I remember all too well how it felt to be in her position.
"I understand, Elisabetta," I say gently. "It's a lot to take in. It was why I spoke to your father about it. I suggested pushing Lorenzo's wedding back a year, to give everyone more time to prepare. And to possibly delay your wedding, Elisabetta, until you're at least twenty."
Elisabetta's eyes are soft. "Why did you do that for me?"
"Of course," I say, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "I remember how overwhelming it felt when I was in your position. I want to make this easier if I can."
Tears well up in Elisabetta's eyes. "Thank you," she whispers. "I... I didn't expect you do that. Thank you, Vittoria, I really do appreciate it.”
Sofia and Valentina exchange a look before Sofia turns back to me. "That was really kind of you, Vittoria. We... we haven't always been fair to you. I didn't expect you to look out for us."
I feel my own eyes getting misty. "You're family now," I say simply. "And family looks out for each other."
There's a moment of emotional silence before Valentina clears her throat. "So, um, what did Dad say? About delaying the weddings?"
"He said he'd propose it at the next meeting," I explain. "He can't guarantee the others will agree, but he's going to try."
Elisabetta nods, looking relieved. "Even if it doesn't work out, just knowing you tried... it means everything."
I smile at her. "I'm glad. And I want you all to know that if you ever need someone to talk to about this, about anything really, I'm here."
The girls nod, and I can see they're warming to me even more. Maybe we've gotten past the hard part. Maybe now we can all move forward and build something real.
The waiter brings lunch, and I'm finally feeling relaxed.
"Are you... are you happy? With our dad, I mean. With this life?" Valentina asks once we're eating.
The question catches me off guard. "I am," I say finally, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. "It's not what I expected when I first married your father. But yes, I'm happy."
Elisabetta's brows raise, eyes searching my face. "Really? Even though it was arranged?"
I nod. "Your father has been kind to me. Protective. He's shown me a side of himself I didn't expect to see. And being part of this family, getting to know all of you... it's become important to me."
The girls exchange a look I can't decipher.
