Jealousy stabbed my heart as much as I swooned.I knew I’d never have that with Damien.
“Hi, Isobel.”She grinned, walking toward me.“I never really welcomed you into the family.”Her floral scent cocooned me as she embraced me.
I let her hold me, smiling softly.
“Good evening, Mrs.Romano.”
She rolled her eyes.“I’m not that old, Isobel.Please, call me Silvana.”
I cleared my throat.“Good evening, Silvana.”
“Come with me.”She led me to a seat, and Damien trailed me immediately, helping me pull out a seat.
He sat beside me.
“Are the guys fighting again?”I looked over my shoulder to see Andrea Romano, Luciano’s wife.
“Aren’t they always?”Silvana smirked.
Her six-inch heels clicked against the marble floor as she strolled toward us like she had all the time in the world.She circled the table, allowing me to catch Luciano’s grinning face in my peripheral vision.
“Babe, you promised.”She took her seat opposite me, beside Luciano, who looked like he couldn’t wait to kiss her.
“It’s not my fault that the guy gets on my nerves.”Luciano pouted.
“I’m right here, dickhead,” Damien seethed.Their eyes clashed in a heated stare.
My palm landed on Damien’s thigh before I could stop it.I squeezed softly to keep him calm.
“Please, pardon their manners.”I turned to Andrea.
Andrea was so beautiful.She turned heads elegantly in her crimson lace dress with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that showed a generous amount of cleavage.Her dark brown hair was swept in a ponytail, complementing her olive skin.
Her bloodred lips stretched in a smile.“I’m Andrea.It’s so nice to have you in the family.”She couldn’t hug me, so she reached over the table and placed her palm over mine, squeezing softly.
“You are really pretty.”I grinned.
Her face warmed up.“Thank you.”
“Now, let’s eat,” Silvana chirped excitedly, waving the chef and maids over.
It was meant to be an intimate family dinner.The chefs strolled into the dining room and dished out our meal for the night.Braciole.A classic Italian dish.
The stuffed meat roll looked juicy, dipped in sizzling sauce and paired with vegetables, alongside a glass of one of Damien’s father’s oldest wines.According to Silvana.
“It’s my late mother’s old recipe.I hope you all enjoy it.”She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.I knew firsthand what that kind of loss did to you.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I whispered.
“Oh, it’s fine.”She brushed it off.“It was a long time ago.”
“Is it?”I toyed with my wineglass, locking eyes with her.For a fleeting moment, it was like we could read each other’s sadness.“I lost my mother a few years ago.It’s been tough without her.”
Sadness dimmed her green eyes.“I’m so sorry.”
I shook it off.“No, I am sorry.I’m totally ruining dinner.”
“No, you are not.”Silvana frowned.“You are not just Damien’s wife.You are a part of this family now.That means you get to talk about what’s hurting you for as long as you need to.”
