What a fucking joke.
The tears burning my eyes burst free as I rush to the closet. I grab a bag, shoving whatever I’ll need inside. I have no money, but I’ll figure it out because there’s no way I’m staying here.
Not while he marries another woman. I won’t stay as his mistress. His whore.
God, my father was right. My hands shake, and a sob surges forth, choking me.
I exit the closet, heading for the door.
Etta looks at the bag I’m carrying and intercepts me. “Gina, let Tommaso explain.”
“Did you know?” I wipe angrily at my tears. “Did you all know?” The answer is etched on her face, and I give a harsh laugh. “God, I’m a fucking idiot.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Let Tommaso—”
“I’m a nobody!” I shout, ramming my finger into my chest. “I offer nothing to him, no assets, no power. Tommaso was using me.” The warning from my father falls so easily from my lips. “He never wanted me, Etta, not the way I thought. I’m only his whore, a willing hole to fill until he marries Rosa, who’s a somebody from a powerful family.”
Etta reaches for me, shaking her head in protest, but I swat her away. Rushing to the door, I grip the handle and turn.
Only, it doesn’t move.
I look over my shoulder at Etta, then back to the door, trying it again. But it’s locked.
I turn the locking mechanism on the handle, but nothing happens, telling me it’s been locked from the outside.
My hand slaps the door. “Open this door!” There’s no response. “Open this fucking door!” I scream, pounding on it.
No,no. He can’t trap me and force me to stay.
Tears run down my face as I pound on the door and scream until I’m hoarse.
When I collapse against the unrelenting wood, Etta places a hand on my shoulder. “Let Tommaso explain.”
“Let him feed me more lies.” My voice is cracked and broken. “He’s not the man I thought he was.”
“Yes, he is,” she insists. “Just let him explain.”
“Just let me leave,” I whisper. “Please.”
“It’s not safe, Gina.”
I turn my head and look at her. “Why? Why is it not safe? And why do people believe I’m missing?”
But I know she won’t tell me anything.
“Tommaso promised he’d never break me. Or harm me.”
You have my word or my life.
But that is just one of his many lies.
Chapter 34
Tommaso
