Page 8 of The Billionaire's Pact

I wrinkled my nose. “With all that money the Marini’s have. They could end world hunger.” It was something that annoyed me, but I never said it to Mr. Marini. It seemed rude since he was my friend.

She pointed to an outreach program he worked on, “Rocco’s trying. He played a big part in creating The World Is Your Family project.”

I stared at Rocco’s picture hugging a child at a care center. This smile was different from the others on the generated search. It captured a joy that seemed genuine. Okay. He looks dreamy.

Cassidy touched my arm to get my attention again, laughing.

I squinted at her. “What?”

“What?” she said mockingly. “You, that’s what. You’re attracted to him.”

I rolled my eyes and smirked. “You got all that from me looking at his picture?”

She jutted her chin grinning. “Yeah, I did. Ha. Finally. Someone broke your ice armor. Damn, I hope he comes to Harvard as an alumni guest speaker. I’ll be in the front row, dropping my bag, and he’ll rush over and pick it up.” She batted her eyes.

I chuckled and crossed my arms. She wasn’t wrong about my icy armor. That was something I was quite proud of, and much of that pride stemmed from Mr. Marini’s words. “Resilience will be your superpower, Adelina.” I’ve tried, dear man. “You’re missing your calling as a filmmaker, Cass.”

“Just you wait, Lina. I’ll be Mrs. Marini, or First Lady Cassidy Marini.”

“How do you know he’s going into politics?” I asked and scrunched up my face.

“He spoke to Congress on hunger, so it’s not far-fetched. Just like we both know I’ll be at a firm doing celebrity law in L.A. one day.” She dropped her gaze.

I hugged her shoulder.

Cassidy would return to her mansion in the hills, just like I’d seen in all her pictures. She and Rocco had the wealth and the freedom I could only wish for. If I had the money, I’d establish an institute for abuse survivors and hire Jacob to give lessons in art therapy. He was good at getting other people at his care center to come out of their shell after all he’d been through. Of course, I’d also travel around the world, using the languages I learned, and create art. But that wasn’t in my cards. I would help my family. Not go back on my word like Judge Colby.

“Aren’t you even the least bit curious about what it would be like to date a gorgeous guy like Rocco?” Cassidy cut into my thoughts.

I wrinkled my nose. “So I can be filmed, hounded, vilified, and judged at every turn? No thanks.”

Cassidy closed the tablet and gave me an incredulous look. “Lady, that’s everybody’s life nowadays.”

True. But Rocco Marini was the charismatic type who courted the public eye. Sure, it had something to do with his work, but he still reveled in it. The type of handsome man who could toy with hearts, just like my father. Judge Colby had love-bombed my mother and always had a romantic poem or a nice gift for her after he strayed. I witnessed the many times he lied and cheated or blamed her for all the problems he had in life when things didn’t go his way. To my dad, she never looked good, cooked well, fucked him right. She loved him dearly, and he destroyed her physically and mentally. That won’t be me. I’ll be a good wife, but I will never love my husband.

The only thing that would make me leave would be if he hurt me. Nothing made me prouder than hitting Judge Colby—that was the sin in my heart, as absolution only comes when you have penance. Sometimes, I wondered if karma would collect for my lack of remorse. It hadn’t yet.

Not even Cassidy knew much about my violent past, and I wanted to keep it that way. The arranged marriage wasn’t ideal, but I had a chance to finally build a life.

Even if I’ll never have the freedom I so desire.

“Adelina Belfiore….” My name and honors were announced at our ceremony on the lawn in front of Williamson Hall. A rush of excitement filled my veins as I left my lawn chair to reach the small stage. A scatter of claps and a scream by Cassidy erupted. I shook our president’s hand and accepted the degree. Glancing over the crowd, Mama clapped from her seat at the end of the fourth row. While Mrs. Belfiore sat in the top honors section with the trustees, and the nearest to her shook her hand for a job well done.

I placed my degree in my lap to cheer Cassidy as she did a twirl on the stage. My heart swelled, thinking of all we had been through together. She stuck to me the second I walked into Saint Agnes boarding school and had never left throughout the four years at Mount Crest College. She was sure I was going to be her best friend, and I loved her audaciousness. I thought about our runs in the mornings, late-night food raids, and movie breaks during our exams. She made my life fun and joyful. That, along with the lectures and research, enriched my life. This place had become my home. I’ll miss it. I’ll miss her.

The announcements and speaker’s address went by quickly. Nerves danced in my stomach, knowing I would leave at the end. Then the time came. The college president announced, “Congratulations, new graduates.”

I rushed over to Cassidy, who was a few rows in front of me. She burst into tears and threw her arms around my neck. “I’m going to miss you so much, Lina. I better hear from you or I’m sending a search party.”

I squeezed her waist and swallowed hard.

Mama came over and hugged me. “I couldn’t be prouder. See? It all worked out.”

I let go and introduced her to my professors. Soon, Cassidy came over with her mom and dad. They were very bohemian chic; her mom wore a vibrant printed sundress, while her dad wore a printed T-shirt under his designer linen suit.

“We have a present for you.” Mrs. Cosgrove handed me an envelope, which Mama quickly tucked into her purse. “I’ll hold on to it for you.”

I kept my smile.

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