Page 61 of Useless Love

I swallow, trying not to think of Carmine kissing her. It hurts too much, but I understand why he did. After I kissed him in the car, he may have still been feeling…affected. And Arianna is wearing a low-cut top so…

I nod, trying not to let my emotions show.

“He was very horny,” Arianna continued, “and since I’ve been with men, but you haven’t, I thought that if I gave him what he wanted, he’d stop questioning things and just set the date.”

My chest tightens and I feel like I can’t breathe. “Gave him…what he wanted?”

“Sex, Gaia. He fucked me.”

Yes, I really can’t breathe. I try to smile and pretend like I don’t care, but inside my heart is breaking. Carmine doesn’t think he was with another woman, so I can’t be mad at him. But I know it wasn’t me, and that hurts more than anything.

While I’m feeling numb and fighting my tears, Ari continues, “He was so gentle. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. After sex, we laid in each other’s arms and really talked. Well, I tried not to say much so my mouth didn’t get me in trouble.” Ari looks at the ground, blushing. “It’s strange. I went there with revenge in my heart, but after he was so tender with me…I can see myself married to Carmine. I think I can let go of this grudge.”

I nod mindlessly, still trying to process this. Carmine had sex with my sister. He thought he was taking my virginity, but it was her. He was with another woman and…

I stand from the bed and hurry to the window, wiping tears away quickly before Ari can see. I know Carmine’s charms well. After spending only a bit of time with him, I was putty. Now Arianna, too. I want to say something, but my throat is too tight.

The good thing is that she wants to let go of her revenger, but the rest is shattering me.

“Carmine and I got close,” Ari says. “He even confided things about himself and his organization."

With my back still to her, I manage to ask, “What things?”

“Well, you can’t tell father or anyone, but Carmine will take control of his father’s organization.”

I gasp. He never told me that. Why? Well, I guess he thought Ari was me, so he thinks he told me.

Arianna comes closer, resting her hand on my shoulder. "Listen. I need to tell you something. Father has promised you to Mariano Satta. I overheard a conversation a few days ago, but didn’t know how to tell you. He’s Leo Satta’s son, and Leo has the largest organization in the country. I know you’re not going to be happy about it, but you have to do it. We can't afford to drag Father into another war, this time with such a massive opponent. Father, Nico, Mother, Victoria… all of us could end up dead. Even Carmine since he’s now an ally."

More truth. I just learned that from Father so everything Arianna has told me just now is the truth. Carmine was inside her just a few hours ago and…

What if Ari is pregnant?

“Did you use protection with Carmine?”

Ari shakes her head. “Of course not. He’s my future husband.” She touches her stomach. “I’m ovulating so I’m probably getting pregnant right now. Peace between our families is now permanent.” She smiles.

I clear my throat, fighting more tears. Then I hug her. “That’s wonderful.”

“But I really do need you to keep pretending to be me. Just keep him happy because my personality is still hard to handle. Once we’re married, he’ll have to get used to it. But we can’t risk him backing out of the marriage. Not with Satta as a threat and Carmine’s child growing inside me. Can you do that?”

I don’t respond, only stare at her. I’m supposed to be with Carmine knowing that he laid with my sister? I can’t…

She touches my cheek. "I know it’s a lot, but what if I mess up and Carmine realizes he was tricked? Word could get back to Satta that his son's future fiancee was running around town with a Gaudino. Can you imagine the massive war this would cause? Especially since you and Carmine fooled around. He did eat your pussy."

I resent being entangled in this mess, but Arianna's words carry a weight that I can’t ignore. My sister’s happiness, the fragile prospect of peace between so many families, Carmine’s life—it all hangs in the balance.

I take a deep breath, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “I’ll do it,” I say, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Arianna’s eyes light up with relief. “Thank you, Gaia. Knew I could count on you.”

After a long hug, Arianna leaves. There’s a small voice in my head telling me not to trust her even though I know most of what she said was true. So I just need to verify one thing.

I pull out my phone, fingers tapping impatiently, as I dial Carla's number. The rings echo in my ear, each one intensifying the uncertainty that lingers in my mind. Finally, Carla's voice comes through.

"Hey, what's up?" she says, sounding happy and casual.

"Um…I need to ask you something. It’s very important, but I know we’re not officially family yet.”

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