Page 9 of Useless Love

I put the book back on the shelf, catching my uncle’s subtle hint. I need Gaia. We’ve switched places before, whenever I’ve wanted to get out of something. Could I convince Gaia to court the last Gaudino son? She’s more likable and submissive, raised to be the perfect woman these kinds of organizations want. If anyone can trigger a man’s “protective instincts,” it’s my sister. I’m fairly confident Carmine would choose her and then let his guard down. Then, I could switch with her on the day of the wedding. I’d make sure Jr. Gaudino was dead before the marriage was consummated.

I smile to myself and Uncle glances at me. Maybe he suspects what I’m thinking, but I know he won’t tell Father.

“Good talk, Uncle,” I say, before leaving the study.

A plan forms in my mind as I walk to my room. Gaia loves to psychoanalyze me and try to get me to share my stupid feelings, but she’s smart enough now not to do something just because I ask. When we’ve swapped places before, it was always because it was mutually beneficial to her too. However, her kindness can easily be manipulated. Mrs. Future Degree in Psychology, my ass!

I won’t directly ask her; instead all I have to do is pretend I’m sad, bring up the “rape” incident, and she’ll play along. Which does make her a fitting Gaudino wife.

Gaia

Mother summons me. Her room is dimly lit, and I can feel her nervous energy as soon as I enter. She pats the bed next to her, so I sit, my body tense with anticipation. No doubt, she wants to discern what our family's fate will be today. She grasps my hand tightly and asks, "Gaia, have you heard anything about your father's plan? I'm worried."

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. Mother has an amazing sense of timing because I was just in my father’s office, pretending to be reading while he talked in a hushed voice to someone over the phone. I caught enough snippets to finally understand what today’s meeting is about. I squeeze Mother’s hand and say, "It's not what you might expect. It's not exactly an arranged marriage decided by the elders, but a marriage could be involved. It seems Father and Sal want to explore a different approach. They are considering whether Arianna and Gaudino’s son, Carmine, can come to a mutual agreement."

Mother's face contorts with surprise and confusion. "A mutual agreement? What do you mean?"

"They want to see if Arianna and Carmine can find common ground willingly, possibly agree to marry each other. Gaudino suggested the match, citing their reportedly similar personalities," I’ve never met Gaudino’s son, but if he’s really like Arianna, we’re all in trouble.

Mother’s eyes search mine for more information, so I continue, "I think Father and Sal believe that by allowing Arianna and Carmine to decide for themselves, there might be a chance for a more stable and enduring connection. They want it to lead to peace between our families."

Mother stands up from the bed suddenly, her hands balled into fists. “Hell no! They will need a better plan. Two people from opposing organizations, out for revenge, are not suitable to start a family together. That monster will kill my baby! And your sister would never agree to this. You know her as well as I do.”

“I think you’re right, Mother. I don’t want Arianna to be in danger. But like you said, we both know her well. We have no idea what she’s thinking or planning.”

My sister is always planning, and I’m sure she found her own way to learn about today’s meeting.

As I’m thinking about how to comfort Mother, my sister passes by Mother’s bedroom window, meaning she’s on the highrise balcony. She often goes out there to think, but the railing is low and easy to jump over. With Luca’s death and her sexual assault she refuses to talk about, I’m worried enough to go after her.

It’s a pattern between us. I’ve been chasing her our entire lives, trying to get her to open up. We talk about a lot of things and we’re sisters, afterall, but she has always been guarded with her feelings. I just want to feel closer in that way; I wish she would trust me with her emotions. And part of me fears she secretly resents me because I go about life differently than she does.

I step out onto the balcony, the wind whipping my loose hair around my face. Arianna is leaning over the railing, too much for comfort. “Ari, are you okay?” I ask gently.

Shoulders hunched, she looks at me with something different in her eye: defeat. I’ve never seen her looking this vulnerable, so I move closer and instinctively ask, “Is something wrong?” When I received no answer, I continue, “How can I help?”

She shakes her head. Her voice is tiny when she finally responds, “Father wants to throw me away.”

Even though Arianna and I practically share the same body—same face, same blood—the two of us couldn’t see Father more differently. While I understand that father is giving her the option to decline this marriage and arrangement, Arianna only sees this meeting as a sign that she is unloved.

“Father loves you,” I say, trying to validate what she must be feeling.

“No, he doesn’t.”

“He does. He’s giving you a choice. You can always say no, Ari.” I’m about to suggest a million ways she can reject Carmine Gaudino when she surprises me.

“I…I want the marriage.”

I hold onto the railing for support. Did I just hear her correctly? She wants to become Mrs. Arianna Gaudino?

“What? Why? You want to marry into the family who killed Luca a few days ago?” I shake my head. No, this isn’t what she really wants. She’s playing a game. She tries to manipulate me and thinks I don’t see it. But I’m not completely naive. “No, this isn’t you. You aren’t acting like yourself.”

She turns to face me, with tears in her eyes—another shock because I rarely see my sister cry. “I have no choice. Don’t you understand that? Father set it up this way because he knows I will realize I have no choice,”

“That’s not—”

“Listen, Gaia! There are three of us. You, me, and our baby sister. Father will never choose you because you’re his favorite. And if I say no…”

I cover my mouth with my hand. Would Father really send Victoria off to be a Gaudino? She’s barely fifteen! But the men in these organizations have taken younger brides, the disgusting monsters.

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