“Jesus, why won’t you drop it?” Mom snaps.
“Christiano is clearly still hung up on Sienna, and neither of them has dated since the breakup.”
Knowing Bianca won’t stop, I walk back into the living room, and just as Dad carries the last of the boxes into the apartment, I admit, “Of course, I still love Christiano. I always will.”
“Then why did you end the engagement?”
“It’s just too much pressure, and I’m done talking about it.”
When Bianca’s lips part to say something else, Dad shoots her a glare. “Enough!”
Her mouth snaps shut, and when she goes back to the bedroom, I let out a breath of relief.
Bianca would actually be a perfect match for Christiano. She never backs down and always speaks her mind.
The thought of Christiano marrying my sister makes my stomach turn queasy.
I’ve repeatedly said I want him to move on, but the day it happens, I know it will rip my heart out of my chest.
“What is this?” Dad’s question draws me out of my thoughts.
I glance at the object in his hand that looks like a mushroom.
“It’s a rain machine. It helps me meditate.” I take it from Dad and get back to work.
“If I had to listen to water running all the time, I’d never leave the restroom,” Mom mentions with a chuckle.
While I pack the last of the kitchenware away, I catch Dad checking the security system for the hundredth time. Coming upbehind him, I brush my hand over his back. “Stop worrying. I’ll be safe here.”
“I know. Alfio and Billy will take shifts so there’s always someone guarding you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I lift myself onto my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek.
“What are we eating?” Bianca calls out from the bedroom.
I walk the short distance, and seeing how much she’s gotten done, I gasp, “Holy crap, B. You’ve been busy. Thank you so much.” When she gives me a grin, I ask, “What are you in the mood to eat?”
Her face lights up, and without having to think about it, she replies, “Thai curry.”
Giving her a pleading look, I ask, “Would you mind calling in the order?”
“No probs.” She hurries out of the room to get Mom and Dad’s order, and I continue to pack the last of the clothes away.
My eyes land on the dress that’s tucked into the corner, and taking it out, I stare at the spot where the blood stain used to be before I got it drycleaned.
No matter how much time passes, the memory of Christiano going down still causes me unbearable pain.
I wish things had happened differently, and that we were never attacked by the Irish, but instead, celebrated our engagement. We would’ve gotten married within a year, and we’d probably have a couple of children by now.
In an attempt to get away from the heartache, I quickly hang the dress again and shut the closet doors before rushing out of my bedroom.
I force a smile to my face when I reach the living room, and while I listen to Bianca calling in our food order, I glance around my new apartment.
With my family’s help, everything is unpacked.
“Knock-knock,” Raya says as she comes in. Her eyes widen, and she gasps, “You’re all done?”
“Hold on,” Bianca tells whoever’s on the other side of the line. “Raya, I’m ordering Thai. Do you want something?”
