Page 46 of The Billionaire's Pact

Shame flowing from her like a tidal wave.

I’m not supposed to be there.

I’m not supposed to know.

It had been the worst night of her life. Mine, too. Judge Colby had broken us.

I touched her arm. “I’m sorry, but that’s when I met him. I sent him an email and we started talking. He was helpful with school and sent cards—”

“He did what?” Her voice rose and she shook her head rapidly. “And you kept this from us? I can’t believe you did that. He’s an old man, and you were only fourteen. How dare he?”

The way she said it made it seem sordid. “Mr. Luca Marini never did anything sexual or anything like that. He just gave me advice on books and some on my course work. He’s like a historian—”

“That’s grooming,” she snapped. “He groomed you—”

“It…it wasn’t like that,” I mumbled, and a trickle of fear rose inside me. Was it? No. He was kind, and I didn’t talk to him all the time.

She placed her hands on her hips. “If your grandparents find out about what Luca had done, they will blame me. No…they can’t find out, but I believe they should slow down this wedding. The whole night has been a spectacle.”

My brows knitted. “It hasn’t.” Mama was delusional. Grandfather wouldn’t back out of the marriage because of the money he was going to get from the match.

“Can you believe the way his parents shook on the dance floor? It was obscene. And that ring.” She lifted my hand and snarled. “It’s ridiculous.”

My mouth fell open in surprise. Those eight years apart had been hard, but after everything we had gone through, I never thought I’d hear my mother speak so offensively. “I can’t believe you’re behaving like a snob.”

She placed her hands on her hips. “I can’t believe you’ve already lost yourself after spending only a week with him. You’ve got your head in the clouds—”

“Do I?” I crossed my arms. “How so? You told me to try with Rocco. He…likes me, and his family is very welcoming.”

“Yes, the Marinis finally have the Belfiores at their feet,” she said and snorted. “Luca stole my daughter; Mother will lose her mind if she hears he had a relationship with you. We need to delay this wedding.”

My jaw tightened. “What do you mean by that? The wedding is in a month. And since Rocco’s a public figure, there’s already a lot of buzz about it. You must have seen the crowd outside the club.”

Mama’s shoulders curled inward, her eyes unfocused. “I told my parents to give you money and treat you better, but they wouldn’t listen. Even with your education, it’s left you so easily manipulated by money. A fancy hotel, spa, and designer clothes, something that cost him not even a penny, and he has you acting like a star-struck kid.” She lowered her head. “Men are never serious. Glenn has girlfriends.”

My eyes widened more out of wanting to spare Mama’s feelings than out of surprise. “He does?”

Mama quietly nodded.

Glenn acted like they were good friends and often said they worked like a “team.” I had hoped they were just private with their affection. Why did he marry? But I already knew the answer. She’s from a wealthy legacy family. I remember how often he’d had Mama at his side when he campaigned. “I’m sorry about Glenn.”

“Rocco has someone too, no doubt,” she quipped. “I’m trying to help you, and you’re already fighting with me about him.” She touched her temples.

I crossed my arms. “No. I’m not. I’m getting married to Rocco just like you all wanted. It’s only natural that we try to get along with each other.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I know. But I asked you not to lose your head—”

“I’m not. It’s been a week,” I pointed out.

She shook her head. “Yeah, it has only been a week, but I saw the way you looked at him out there and kissed him. Once you love him, he owns you. That will make your life hell. Can’t you see how bad this is for you?”

I frowned. “You’re overreacting, Mama. It’s a party, and we’re behaving rudely, disappearing like this.”

She went back to massaging her temples. “I’m trying to help you not make the same mistakes I did. What if you can’t marry him after all? You need to think practically. Marriages are not about love. I’m getting a migraine, and I don’t want to argue anymore.”

My jaw tightened. “Fine, I don’t want to, either. We need to go back in.”

Mama placed her hands on her hips. “I’m leaving, and you’ll need to come with me.”

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