Page 43 of Angel's Whisper

“How could you even say that?” Francesco reasoned, taking a step in the direction of his wife. “You know I love you.”

“Francesco, you have grown to love me,” Celestina countered. “You didn’t even know me when I was promised to you. And it’s evident that we’ve learned nothing from that because we’ve done it to our own daughters. And when our eldest stood up to tradition and showed us how foolish and self-depleting it really was, we banished her. We dismissed her like she was a servant. We didn’t learn our lesson out of love, the love we have for each other now. We simply went along with your mother’s orders because that’s what we’ve been conditioned to do. Operating under the guise of ‘the good of the family’ has cost us our eldest child.” Celestina took a decisive step forward as her eyes bore into her husband’s. “How can you live with yourself?”

“Easy,” Costanza interjected.

Celestina was surprised by her appearance, but once Costanza stepped fully into view, Celestina had to acknowledge that she wasn’t really surprised. Costanza did what she always did - show up at the damnedest time.

“It hasn’t been easy, Mother,” Francesco admitted, turning his partial attention to her.

“Maybe not,” Costanza replied, making her way further into the room. “But it will get easier. Trust me. It will. Do you know why? Because we all have made sacrifices. We all have had to give up something that has been dear to us. Do we crumble as a result?” No. We put what was lost on the back burner, and we pressed on. We press on.”

“But it still doesn’t make it right,” Celestina interjected. “Just because that’s the way things have always been done doesn’t make it right.”

She took a daring step toward Costanza, daring to look her square in the eye as she continued.

“You traded our daughter on a promise of more money. She knew it. I knew it. We all did. When Valentina dared to pull the covers back on the foolishness and fuckery that that promise was, we banished her. I take that back; you banished her, and we sat idly by and let that happen.”

Celestina stood toe to toe with Costanza. Even though her heart beat hard, she did not back down.

“I will never forgive you for that,” Celestina seethed. “As long as my daughter is banished, living who knows where, making it or not making it, God only knows. I will never, ever forgive you.”

Celestina continued to glare at Costanza. It was the first time she’d ever stood up to her. It was the first time she didn’t quiet her tongue and remained silent even in the face of something she opposed.

“Your forgiveness is not what I seek,” Costanza countered, her voice remaining wildly low and damn near pleasant. “All I ask is for your trust that what we did, we had to do.”

“For the good of the family, right?” Celestina added.

“Of course,” Costanza replied.

“The good of the family be damned,” Celestina spat.

Her hissing startled Costanza and made her draw back. Francesco was shocked at how his wife spoke up. He watched as Celestina stormed out of the room. He again felt the need to go after her. But he didn’t. His mother’s countenance prohibited it. Her words forbade it.

“We have other more important matters to attend to,” Costanza uttered. “Celestina will come around,” Costanza said, standing and waiting for her seat to be pulled out.

“If she doesn’t,” Costanza sat as the butler pushed her chair in. “You will make her.”

Chapter Twenty

The Ricci’s rode in silence as they approached the rod iron gate that kept the rest of the world at bay away from the Conti’s sprawling estate. Giordano had said all he needed to say to his sons. He emphasized how important the meeting was. He reminded his sons that they needed to mind their p’s and q’s so as not to rock the already rocking boat. The goal was to resolidify their bond with the Conti’s no matter how much crow they had to eat. They could bitch about how humiliating it was later.

The gate opened after Giordano announced their arrival. He would never admit to the scale of nerves he felt. He wouldn’t admit to how unsettling this whole in-person meeting felt. The last time the two families were together, it was all about celebrating the planned nuptials. This time could be the undoing.

When the car pulled up at the front door, Giordano took a deep breath as his driver opened his door. He stepped out and took another deep breath. He settled down on his shoulders, held his chin up high, and made his way around the back of the vehicle, where he joined his sons. Giordano looked them both in the eye to ensure that everyone understood their roles. Only when he was confident that his sons understood their assignment did he take a step toward the front door. His sons followed suit. Massimo reached out and rang the doorbell. The three men stood there and waited for the door to be opened. Massimo set his jaw. He wasn’t one to take down, despite his father’s insistence. He hoped he didn’t have to.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” the butler who answered the door said.

The three men nodded their heads in acknowledgment as they crossed the threshold.

“If you all will follow me, I’ll take you to your meeting.”

They fell in step with the butler as he led them through the palatial mansion. Neither Ricci man paid attention to the décor. They were much too preoccupied with their own thoughts about the upcoming meeting. When they reached the entryway to the dining room, the butler announced them.

“The Ricci’s are here.”

Francesco stood up from his seat to receive them. Each of the men shook his hand and then made their way over to Costanza, who remained in her seat. They were cordial at best but non-committal with their smiles. Francesco retook his seat as the three men of the Ricci family took theirs. The positioning of the Conti’s was strategic. Costanza sat at the head of the table while her son sat at the other head. The Ricci’s were couched in between.

“Would you care for something to eat or drink before we get started?” Francesco asked.

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