Page 81 of The Billionaire's Pact

“Superpower. And I was right, yes?”

“I’d like to think so.”

He smiled. “You are strong and resilient, Adelina. They are two of the reasons I wanted you to join our family. They suit you well and will complement Rocco, too.”

He held out his hand, and we walked on. I hoped he was right. I did want this marriage to work. And I will work hard to ensure it does.

Back inside, we toured the main house. It had tray ceilings, and some had Fresco paintings. There was a regal stone staircase and a fireplace that had to date back centuries. He’d adopted more of the Renaissance style of oil paintings and sculptures, with a touch of modern custom furnishings that harmonized with the antiques and lighting. The dining room was spacious, seating twelve. One of his other housekeepers was putting out place settings, and she stopped to greet Grandpa Marini warmly and shook my hand. It was the one thing I loved most about Italy—everyone went out of their way to be so welcoming.

We finally reached the library, or study, with Chesterfield sofas, a comfy chair, and an antique Art Deco glass lamp. There were books in built-in cases, but as I walked through, there was a shelf of modern stories. I picked up Lady Chatterley’s Lover. “This is a surprise.”

He shrugged. “It’s a great book. Even if I can’t partake anymore, it gives me something to reminisce about.”

We sat down, and I stared at him—a vise closing around my heart. He was paler with deepened lines on his face, and there were beads of sweat on his brow and upper lip.

“Are…are you sure you’re okay?” I asked.

He waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t you start. Let me tell you a few things that are important for you to know.” There was a seriousness in his tone, and I quieted to give him my full attention.

He sighed. “I don’t think you know, so I’ll tell you. Your grandfather married the woman I was promised to.”

I gasped. “What? You were going to marry my grandmother?”

He nodded. “Yes. I was madly in love with Constance Longfellow. She was like you, a rare beauty. Back then, her family was prominent in New York, and we were betrothed at birth. She was a proud and formidable woman, but Reginald was much more cunning back then. He stole Constance, and made it almost impossible for me to do business in New York City.”

I pressed my hand to my chest. “I knew nothing about it.”

“I’m not surprised. It’s not something any of us are proud of. But I refused to give up the Longfellow property in Washington Heights that was part of her dowry. It wasn’t expensive back then, but times have changed, and it’s worth millions now. For you, and only you, I’ve agreed to return it.”

I squinted. “You’re willing to give it back because of me? Why?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’m doing it to atone. If it hadn’t been for Aurora, I’d still be hellbent on revenge. It consumed me for years, and I deserve hell for all I’ve done, but I ask for your forgiveness.”

I furrowed my brows. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

He took my hand. “You see, Adelina…I’m not the man you think—”

“Grandpa,” Rocco called from the door. “I hate to cut your visit short, but I have work early tomorrow.”

“But you will stay for dinner?” Grandpa Marini said, his eyes shifting between us.

Rocco smiled. “That’s why I’m getting you both now.”

I wanted to know more and touched Grandpa Marini’s arm. “Can’t we talk more now?”

He patted my hand. “Later.”

Reluctantly, I followed them into the dining room. We sat down and his chef brought out the first course of homemade tortellini pasta, stuffed with ricotta cheese and potatoes, pecorino, pepper, and raw shrimp. Delicious.

I cleared my plate before they stopped talking about the ACF Fiorentina football match against Frosinone, which they’d won.

“We beat them easily,” Rocco complained between bites while a housekeeper refilled his glass of wine. “It was not much of a match.”

Grandpa Marini laughed. “They were asleep. That’s what happens when they underestimate our team.”

It was the same pride and banter I’d heard from the other family members that stopped by. I was clueless about the sport, but I enjoyed their enthusiasm for it.

“How’s our wedding preparation coming along?” Rocco asked him.

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