Page 47 of Monster in Disguise

"Go grab your bags!" I tell Claudia as we get out of the car. We'd spent all day shopping since we don't have a lot of things.

After the meeting with Marcello, we'd decided to officiate the marriage in three days. That meant that I had three days to get ready for my future. A shiver goes down my body at the thought. Marcello was not who I'd expected him to be.

Sure, he's good-looking and handsome, and I did dream about kissing him but... It's probably never going to happen, and I will respect his boundaries.

There was this sadness that clung to him. I can't put my finger on it; I felt like he'd been holding himself back. From what, I don't know. I'm trying not to read too much into it, especially given my slight crush on him.

I'd explained the circumstances to Claudia to the best of my ability, and she'd seemed understanding. At least, I think so. She's been very excited about being outside Sacre Coeur for the first time. And given her sheltered upbringing, I don't know how much she understands about marriage and what it entails.

When we'd spoken about the terms of the marriage, I'd asked Marcello to bring in a therapist for Claudia. I don't want whathappened with Father Guerra to scar her in the future. And she might benefit from it when adjusting to this new lifestyle too.

We head inside the house, but the moment we step in, I hear a noise. It sounds like a scream... A female screaming.

"Claudia. Go to your room! Now!" She looks at me wide-eyed but does as she's told, running up the stairs.

I take the first thing I see, a lamp, and head towards the source of the noise. What could it be, though? There are so many guards around... When I enter the drawing room, I stop in my tracks, my eyes going wide with shock, my mouth hanging open. That can't be what I'm seeing, can it?

Allegra, my brother's wife, Allegra is naked on her knees. A man is mounting her from behind, pumping his hips in and out of her. There's another man in front of her, and she's putting his member in her mouth, sucking on it. I gasp. What is she doing?

The men grunt, and Allegra moans in a high-pitched voice. She keeps sucking the man, and her eyes wander towards me. She doesn't seem in the least surprised to see me there.

In fact, she winks at me. What? The man behind her steps away, and another man, one I hadn't noticed before, replaces him. What is this? This... depravity? This can't be normal.

"There she is, my sister-in-law," she drawls, and everyone's gaze focuses on me. "Join us, will you?" She says, and I instinctively take two steps back, before running up to my room.

How can Enzo allow that in his house? Does he even know? Lord, his son lives here, and he's only five!

As I enter my room, I try to put on a smile and pretend nothing happened. Claudia doesn't seem to notice how rattled I am. Instead, she's excited about her new dresses that we'd bought, and she tries them on.

I attempt to put the scene I'd witnessed out of my mind and focus on my daughter. But Lord, is that what people do inthe outside world? I know I'm not very knowledgeable in these things, but surely that's not normal.

It's much later that I find Enzo in his study, immersed in a book. I softly knock and he lifts his head, a smile playing on his lips.

"Lina."

"Enzo... can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course,piccola. What is it?"

"When did you get home?" I start, and he regards me strangely.

"Not too long ago." He looks at his watch. "Maybe half an hour ago, why?"

"I... I don't know how to say this but... I came across your wife today."

"Allegra?" He frowns. "Here?" He seems surprised.

"Yes. She... she was cheating on you." I blurt out. Enzo's expression doesn't change.

"Here?" I nod.

"Damn, I told her to keep it out!" He curses under his breath. He knew?

"You... you know about it?"

"It doesn't matter," he says. "Our marriage isn't a normal one. She's... we're not together." He shakes his head briefly, as if annoyed.

"Who was it this time? Was it one of the guards?" He asks as if this is a common occurrence.

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