Page 66 of Useless Love

"What did my father say? You're not answering my question?” she insists with a tone I've never heard.

"Princess, I'm fucking fine." Then, taking her hands to mine, I say, "Tell me now. What keeps bringing you to tears? Doesn’t your father hit you? Tell me and I’ll take you away tonight, far away from him."

“What? No! He has never hit me,” she insists. “Don't worry about me.”

However, I’m not letting up. "It's now my job to worry. Since your father and I just set the date."

"Oh."

"Oh?"

She looks away, not giving me the happy reaction I was expecting.

"Our mothers will probably go nuts with creating an elaborate wedding fit for my princess." She still isn’t responding, so I say,"You asked for the date, and now it's set. We are getting married two days after your birthday."

Noting her silence, I continue, "Give me fucking something here, princess."

Smiling, she finally looks at me. "That’s, um, great. I'm feeling so many emotions. I guess I’m just not showing it because it has been a long day. I’m just tired.”

I touch her cheek. “I know something is wrong. Why won’t you tell me?”

And why do I need to know so desperately?

“I just…I was crying earlier because…”

“What?”

She avoids looking at me. “I, um, I was worried you didn’t want to marry me. But now that a date is set, I’m happy. Truly.” She smiles, but it’s a very weak smile.

I’m about to question her some more, when she wraps her arms around me suddenly, and I feel her body begin to relax on me.

"Guess I will be busy dress shopping and other wedding planning activities for the next few months,” she says, finally sounding more upbeat. “We might not see each other much.”

"You'll have to put that off for later. Tomorrow, we are going to California."

Stunned, she looks at me. "Huh. We?"

Holding her hand firmly into mine, I explain, "I'm heading to the west coast for business, and your father agreed to let me take you along."

Her eyes widen. "What? My father said it was okay?"

"Yes. It will be a little vacation before the madness of wedding planning.” I find myself grinning at the thought. “Shit. I'm guessing you will drag me to Saint Mary's for the ceremony, huh?"

I note she slightly lowers her eyes before nodding. Her voice cracks when she says, "You know me well."

I swear, she looks more worried than relieved. I can’t figure her out.

CHAPTER 20 — NEXT TO ME

Gaia

Carmine will be waiting for me on the runway in one hour. I’m in my room packing in disbelief because I realized something this morning: I love Carmine. That’s why everything Arianna told me hurts so much.

I love him more than anything.

Which is a problem since he had sex with my sister and plans to marry her in three months.

Why is this my life?

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