Page 93 of Promise to Break

"She's barely more than a month old. She'll never know."

"I will. And besides, it's not only about her. Dozens of the staff and students from the school are in attendance, and I'm sure Lila will be here too."

"Since when do you care about that bitch?"

Lila hasn't dared to speak to me since I shut her up that day in Maverick's class. And while her skin is clear of burn marks on her face, I can still see the little marks on her hands sometimes.

"You hurt her already. Don't add to it."

"Juli, mi hijo. Go and bring me the formula. I left it on the counter." Marlina enters the kitchen.

I escape Killian's grasp, not wanting to get caught.

Julian stops short as he comes through the door. "Keep doing what you were doing. I might get into it."

Killian narrows his eyes. "Aren't you gay?"

Julian rolls his eyes. "Aren't you in the position of a Willy Wonka?" I snicker at the look of disbelief on Killian's face.

"I'll leave you two here," I say, taking the bottle of formula in hand.

"Mari, child, you look amazing," Marlina calls as I give her the bottle.

"Thanks. Can I feed her?"

"Of course." She hands me the baby and stands, giving me the opportunity to sit on the stool. "Like this. Hold her like this," Marlina instructs, positioning me in a way that I can hold the baby in my arms. I watch my little angel, smiling at her healthy appetite.

"Marlina, Franco needs the baby," Santino calls. "Oh, Maricela, she's with you." I don't like the way he calls his daughter the baby. She has a name. "You look stunning."

"Thanks." My voice is hesitant as I finish burping Connie on the blanket Marlina left for me.

"Let me," he says. "I'll take her. Come to Daddy." Reluctantly, I do as he asks, following him to the main salon, where all the guests are. Serena appears as fast as she can, taking the baby with her. A moment later, Franco steps into the center of the room, like a king peering at his subjects before he starts.

"Welcome to our party. As you know, two years ago, my oldest son had the pleasure of telling me, 'Dad, I am getting married.' I was happy to see the woman he chose for himself. Serena is kind, well-mannered, and a great woman for my boy."

Why don't you say she's a puppet who's easy to control? I look at my sister, but she's smiling like the sun at the backhanded compliment.

"A year and a half after his wedding, he told me, 'Dad, you're going to be a grandfather.' I was horrified since I don't have any wrinkles to show yet."

Everyone chuckles. Unfortunately, he's not wrong. Franco still looks as handsome as the devil.

"But here, nine months after that, Constanza Fierro came into this world, the second girl to enter our clan of males. May her future brothers beware of what's coming for them."

Everyone cheers. Fuckers. I'm fuming, like this old whistling kettle that Marlina is so fond of. Really? Her future brothers. As if it's a given that my sister, who just gave birth, will want more kids.

When Serena was pregnant, she spoke about Connie as if she was a boy until the moment she discovered she wasn't. It was like if she believed it, then it would come to fruition.

"Now, let's enjoy this party," Franco cheers.

I take my leave, trying to hide my fury, just to stumble into Professor Hope. Out of all the people who were invited, I didn't expect to see him here.

"You look—"

"Like those rich kids, I know." I don't know when I developed such a kinship with my professor, but apparently, I did.

"That's not what I was about to say."

"Oh." I don't dare look at him. He's definitely the last person who needs to know why I'm upset.

---