Page 13 of Monster in Disguise

It's been ten long years now, but I still have not given up hope. I trust Enzo, and I know he will keep his promise. Whenmy father is no longer a concern, Claudia will finally be able to enjoy the outside world. Just thinking about that makes me smile. It's the only thing that's been keeping me going all these years.

"And what did he do?" I probe. I'm a little too curious about the man, I admit.

"He was a lawyer. He put away criminals." Sisi smiles, pride reflected in her gaze. That's definitely a commendable profession. He's earning even more brownie points.

"He's very good looking," I add shamelessly, and I can feel my cheeks immediately redden.

"Lina!" Sisi exclaims in outraged amusement. "So that's why you were so curious." She teases, and I blush even more.

"It's not as if I see a handsome man every day," I argue, but she's having none of that.

"Maybe next time you can meet him, too."

"And do what? Swoon at his feet?" The mere thought of that is hilarious. A scene slowly paints itself in my mind. Me tripping unceremoniously and landing on Marcello's lap.

Meeting his eyes for the first time, and him realizing that we're meant to be. All of it ending, of course, with a kiss. I'm so lost in that scenario that it takes Sisi physically shaking me to get me back to reality.

"You were really gone this time," she chuckles.

"I'm sure he'd want nothing more than a semi-nun with a child," I mutter drily, the reality of it being rather depressing.

"Hey, don't sell yourself short! You arenota nun, and you are beautiful. And I mean really beautiful. Any man would be lucky to have you." She tries to comfort me, but I shrug it off. So what if I'm pretty? My circumstances are decidedlynot.

"Never mind." I try to change the subject. I know dreaming is dreaming... but when it becomes hoping, then it has the potential to become harmful.

"Mamma! Aunt Sisi!" Claudia greets us when we get back to our room. "You were gone for so long!" She pouts in her usual fashion and I just shake my head.

"We have baking duty at four," I suddenly remember, my head snapping back to Sisi. Her eyes widen for a moment before checking the time.

"One more hour," she sighs in relief, and I follow suit. Mother Superior would never let us hear the end of it if we're late. The only saving grace is that I can take Claudia with me for all the duties, including cooking and baking. It's one of our most fun activities.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and we have a special banquet for a new priest that's coming to Sacre Coeur. Together with Sisi and a few other sisters, we have been assigned to baking duty to ensure that we have some cakes and pastries to greet the priest with.

"Add a little more flour,"I say, squinting at the lumpy mixture Claudia is vigorously stirring. The aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air as we all work on our assigned tasks—chocolate chip cookies and corn cupcakes. Mother Superior herself had paid us a visit earlier, inspecting our recipes and giving her seal of approval for the new priest's welcoming reception.

"Do you know why everyone seems so eager for this new priest?" I inquire to Sisi, who is expertly frosting a row of golden cupcakes. The other sisters are also hard at work, but they are far enough away that we can speak freely.

"I have no idea. It's not like we're in dire need of a new one." Sisi mischievously dips her finger into the creamy frosting, but I quickly swat her hand away and give her a stern look.

"You don't want them to see," I whisper, trying to protect her from their judgmental stares.

Sisi's eyes dart around as I adjust my body to block her from the view of the other sisters.

She rolls her eyes at me but swipes her finger in the frosting again, this time bringing it to my mouth. I raise one eyebrow at her, but seeing that no one's watching, I quickly taste it, too.

The sweetness of the frosting mixes with the bitterness in my heart.

"Not bad," I nod, and Sisi gives me a rare genuine smile.

"See! You need to be naughty every once in a while." She winks at me, a glimmer of rebellion still alive in her spirit.

But Sacre Coeur is not a place for rebellion or fun. It's a place of God, or so they say. Yet, Sisi has tried everything she can think of to break out of the monotony and rules. Falling asleep during prayer, shouting expletives out loud, even switching ingredients during her cooking duty. If she could get away with a prank, she'd do it without hesitation.

But she's mostly grown out of it now. The harsh punishments and endless lectures from Mother Superior have worn her down. But I can't blame her for trying to rebel against this suffocating environment.

Funny how it's always my fault according to Mother Superior. As if being a pregnant teenager was something I intentionally caused. She loves to remind me that I wouldn't even be here if not for my family's influence.

"If even a place of God wouldn't take you, what does that say about you?" Her words still sting like fresh wounds, reminding me of all the times she'd insulted me.

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