Page 80 of The Billionaire's Pact

“So you planned our marriage for a long time?”

He stared at me for a minute, then said, “I did.”

I lowered my head and my heart sank. In a way, Mama had been right about our friendship. She believed he groomed me, and he all but confirmed it. He’d had a motive all the time. “When? Why?”

His eyes shone. “I know that makes you think badly of me.” He lowered his head, and I sensed his shame. “It was after I met you that night by the reservoir. You were so small and battered, but not defeated. I felt your good heart, and it touched me,” he coughed. “I hadn’t expected a friend, but you became one. A good one that I’ve grown to love very much.” He coughed harder, and I patted his back to try to help him. His housekeeper rushed over and gave him water. He gulped, and I waited for him to settle.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yes, I am, and yes. I just have a cold,” he said, handing the cup to his housekeeper. “Thank you, Helena.”

My heart ached. Was he really okay? Worry rose and at the heart of it was love. I loved Mr. Marini. Whatever made him stay in my life I was grateful for it. He’d given me what I desperately needed—a friend. He’d never belittled or tried to control me. He gave me fatherly support and an ear to share my thoughts and feelings. He encouraged and celebrated my successes at college. I could have married someone else, but he gave me Rocco, who treated me so well.

“You do deserve more of an explanation, I owe you that,” he said taking my arm.

I nodded. “Yes, you do.”

He smiled. “So, to answer your question. Yes. I did plan for this wedding. Making it happen took a lot of things I’m not proud of now. The Belfiores I’ve known over the years were masters of deception, but here we are, joining families. It’s good we’ve all grown and changed.”

I pressed my lips together. A part of me hoped he’d share more, but the other felt embarrassed. My grandparents had been cruel to leave us with Judge Colby, however, they had changed. We weren’t banished or being harmed by my father. But what we’d traded had cost us. Mama was in a loveless marriage, and under my grandparents and Glenn’s control. I couldn’t help but think about Mama and her feelings about our friendship, but she hadn’t been there. Mr. Marini had been good to me over all these years when I had so little. But it wasn’t just the material things; I had more conversations with him than with my own grandparents. They rarely asked what I was interested in, and instead always told me what I must do.

He sighed heavily. “I’ve put you on a hard path, but you must hold on and have faith. You’ve been in our honeymoon home, and now you’re at the house I moved into after my wife’s death.”

I stopped and gave him a side hug. “I’m sorry.” The affection I’d for him had come so naturally, but at the same time, I was shocked.

Grandpa Marini’s smile broadened. “It’s kind to show you care, Adelina. I prayed trust would come from the little girl I begged to sit across from me on a bench.”

My face warmed. “It’s Rocco. He’s always giving me cuddles.”

“Good,” he said. “He’s a good man. You’re much more relaxed now. Arranged marriages are hard, but if you’re strong in commitment, yours can last for many years. Mine lasted over forty years.”

I touched my smile. Could Rocco and I last as long? I didn’t know. “What’s the secret?”

“Not holding back. Even when you’re afraid,” he said. “My wife married me knowing I was in love with another woman.”

I grimaced. “That must have been hard for her.”

He nodded. “Indeed it was. But my Aurora had strong faith. She was kind and patient. She listened, and was open with her needs. We became friends, and I found that what I thought I had before her was infatuation. She taught me there was more to life than getting even. I took her heart with care, and I gave her back love. I still feel that love and you can, too, one day.”

I placed my arm around his shoulders and squeezed. He always talked to me like an adult that can critically think about life’s circumstances. His insight was what I needed to hear. I don’t have to rush. I had a lifetime ahead in this arranged marriage, and if I was willing and open with my feelings, I could have that love one day. I could imagine that with Rocco, and given he was keen to explore what we could be, I really was in the best arranged marriage possible.

“No one hugs like you, Adelina.” He hugged me tight and long. It was warm and soothing and full of our open hearts. I treasured it.

Grandpa Marini gave me tour of his home. This villa, perched on the hills of Florence, was smaller than the honeymoon home but just as grand. It had rows of fruit trees and flowers, with gardeners working to prune and pick in baskets. “Most will go to care homes, some to family restaurants and shops.”

We went down the stone steps to a row of flower bushes.

He picked a pink rose for me. “A flower for a Bella.”

I took a whiff of the bloom. “You sound like Rocco.”

“He sounds like me. Where did you think he learned all the tricks?” We laughed together, and I squeezed his arm.

“You know, I’ve held on to those words you told me all those years ago,” I said.

“Which ones, mi suca?”

“The ones about resilience. You said, resilience will be my—”

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