My stomach knotted. How did he find out?
“I can tell you’re surprised. Don’t worry about it,” he said, his smile dissipating. “I’m not going to tell anyone what you did. It was Lucia that told me upstairs. I had to get away from dad after he screamed in the car, but that didn’t last long once we got inside.”
“You have to.”
“I will don’t worry,” he said, and passed me, giving me a slap on my arm. “Just be careful.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I didn’t want him to elaborate. I was more worried for her at that moment. I didn’t want him to taunt her again and upset her. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to withhold my anger like I had last time.
17
Chiara
The time had been extended to almost ten minutes. Marcello had become more complacent with the way he treated me, and I was grateful for it. Each moment spent with Alessandra was a relief during the day. It was one of the few things I could look forward to. Being stuck inside a cell without any form of communication or company had caused me to go stir crazy. I craved each second that I could spend with her, and took none of it for granted.
Alessandra took me into her arms the moment the door opened. Her skin was warm against mine as she held me close, gripping me tightly. The world always felt as though it melted away when I was with her. It was as though the situation we were in didn’t exist. I was glad that we were able to spend time together at all. It almost seemed as though we’d fallen into a feeling of normality, despite how messed up the situation was.
I jumped at the sound of the door closing behind me. Alessandra led me to her bed, which was where we sat each time we were together. She was wearing a dress that I’d never seen before, and that I knew didn’t belong to us. I could only imagine that the clothes were from Natalia, the only daughter in the Cavetti family. It made me feel sick that we were wearing her clothes, and that she was participating in our captivity in their home.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said, letting go of her hand. “Promise not to judge me too much?”
Alessandra cocked her head to the side. “You know I wouldn’t judge you for anything. You’re my sister.”
“Okay. It’s just that I’m a little embarrassed to tell you about it.”
“No secrets.”
I drew a deep breath as I sat down on the bed next to her. “I’ve been having sex with Marcello. I know it’s crazy, but I think I’m starting to like him, too.”
Alessandra nodded and placed her hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. I know what it’s like. I don’t judge you for it at… ”
We both nearly fell back off the bed when the door slammed open so hard it ricocheted off the wall. I leaped to my feet when I saw Lucia run through the door, her dark hair flowing behind her as she rushed towards us. Her figure blurred in front of me as the tears formed in my eyes, stinging the edge of my eyelids.
All three of us hugged, bringing our arms around each other. I wasn’t sure how she’d been, but she looked as though she was thriving. It was enough to set me at ease, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, as though the world was piecing itself back together. I pulled away and took in her face, and it was even healthier than I expected her to look. Both Alessandra and I had been trapped in the basement without light for so long that we were becoming pale and disheveled. Lucia, on the other hand, still maintained her natural tanned skin.
“I’m so glad to see you both,” she said, a massive smile gracing her face. “How are you?”
I wiped the tears from my eyes and sniffled. “I’ve been better, obviously. You look good, though.”
Her hand grazed the side of my face. “I know it’s been hard, but I have some good news for you both. You won’t have to worry anymore. I’m hoping to change some things around here.”
“How will you do that?” Alessandra asked, her arms folded across her chest. “Aren’t you a prisoner here, too?”
“I’ve gotten permission to have you both come upstairs with me. You’ll be my bridesmaids at the wedding.”
My eyes widened. “Wedding?”
Lucia laughed nonchalantly, her hand rising up towards her mouth. “Of course. I didn’t tell you, did I? I’m sorry. I’m getting married to Romeo.”
I wasn’t sure how to take the news. She was getting married into the same family that had destroyed our lives and killed our parents. There wasn’t much choice. She’d have to marry Romeo, even if she didn’t want to. The strange thing was that she was ecstatic at the idea of being with him. I knew my sister and I’d never seen her so giddy about anything before. She was excited by the idea, and I knew she must have been in love. How she’d fallen for a monster like Romeo was difficult to wrap my head around.
“So, you’re really going to marry him?”
We both turned to Alessandra, who was still apprehensive about the ordeal. I knew that she’d been meeting with Savio, but she’d never talk about how things were going. Even her reaction to Lucia’s news was telling—she hated the idea of our sister being married into the Cavetti family.
I knew what Alessandra was thinking, but it wasn’t always obvious to those around us. She never really spoke her mind when it was something that was negative. Alessandra hated disappointing people, which was a trait we shared. One of the few.
“Yes, I am. But I’ve gotten permission for you guys to join me upstairs to help me get ready for the wedding,” she said and raised her eyebrows at Alessandra. “Will you join me? I don’t want to get married without both of my sisters there.”
