“I am aware of that - but is she ok?” She drops into the sofa, staring at me with expectant, fearful eyes. “Did she seem ok?”
“I don’t know.” I huff. “She seemed fine. She’s on her way to a new life.” I snap back at my sister, knowing it’s not fair to speak to her like this, but unable to deal with what I’m feeling.
“Jeez. I only asked.” She whimpers, pulling her head back in shock.
I sigh, rubbing my fingers against my eyes. “Sorry, Lina. It’s been a long night. I’m tired. Bella will arrive at her new home by tomorrow morning. Once she’s settled, I will tell you how you can contact her.”
“Can I visit her?”
“No, you can never know where she is. The less you know the less risk there is for you.”
“I can never see her again?” Lina stands up, her eyes wide with shock.
“Unfortunately not. None of us can ever see her again. Isabella Rossi doesn’t exist anymore.” I shrug, trying to sound less affected than I am.
“I - I didn’t think.” Lina looks like she is about to cry. I tense up. I’ve never been good at dealing with emotions and right now my own emotions are all over the place so I especially can’t be comforting my sister in this moment.
“Lina, you asked for this.”
“No, I know. It’s ok. It’s much better than her ending up married to that monster.”
I chuckle. “True. He is a monster.”
“Do you think he will try to find her?”
“She is safe, Lina. I am more worried about the aftereffects for us. For our family. I don’t want him to find out it was me who orchestrated the whole thing otherwise it will be all out war between us.”
“But - you’re stronger than him - right?”
She looks nervous.
I nod. “I’m stronger. But he’s not an unworthy enemy. It won’t be easy to go up against him.”
Lina chews at her lip nervously.
“Hey, kiddo, it’s going to be ok. I promise.”
She laughs. “You haven’t called me kiddo in years.”
“Yeah well, no matter how much older you get you’ll always be my little sister.” I chuckle, sitting down next to her on the sofa.
“But seriously, Lina. I promise you - it’s all going to be ok.”
She leans into me and I wrap my arm around her shoulder. I am not good with stuff like this. But I can see she’s upset, so I do the best I can to be there for her.
My mind is on Bella and the night we shared.
I can’t get her out of my head.
I want more. Not only the physical connection - there was something else there and I wish I had time to explore it. But it’s not meant to be.
I need to shut down all thoughts of her and focus on my life - the things I need to do for my family. My business. My sister.
I can’t be day dreaming about things that are impossible.
Chapter 5
Isabella