Page 20 of Her Overprotective Fiance

"Oh, come off it! You've seen the difference yourself. Everything I've done should've pissed the old witch off, but she hasn't said a single word.Noneof them has said a single word, and you know why that is."

"Sarica..."

There's something about her tone that triggers inside of me, and I'm no longer able to resist unburdening myself.

"Don't pretend you don't know what's happening here," I grit out. "They don't give a shit about what I do because they don't see me as part of theirfamiglia."

The words are finally out, but instead of being cathartic, they just make me feel more worthless than I already do.

Why, God? Why?

Is there really no fucking person in this fucked-up world who wants me?

Am I really no good to anyone?

"I get why you'd think that," Maryse begins, "but if none of them has explicitly said anything—-"

A humorless laugh slips my lips. "Have you forgotten who we're talking about here? They're the fuckingMarchettis. The Kennedys of the fucking mafia. They're obviously tooniceto admit they've made a mistake about me—-"

"Stop it with the self-pity."

It'sthattone again, and like always, it shuts me up like nothing else does.

"Let's just say you're right, and they do think they've made a mistake about you."

I know we're just playing what-if, but hearing the words out loud still hurts like hell.

"Let's just say theydothink you're a burden. So what then?" Maryse challenges. "Are you simply going to drown yourself in self-pity?"

I can't help bristling at her tone. "Of course not! I already told Giancarlo before that I'll never marry him—-"

It's Maryse's turn to cut me off with a laugh.

"Then you don't know them as well as you think you do. Once a Marchetti gives their word, it's good as done. You can try running away as many times as you want, but Giancarlo will always come after you. The only way you can escape marrying him is death. But if you don't plan to kill yourself anytime soon—-then let me ask you again. Let's say everything you said is true, and they all see you as a burden. What then?"

Maryse settles back against her seat as her question hangs between us.

"It's up to you, don't you think? Will you prove them right or wrong? Will you remain a burden? Or will you find a way to turn yourself into an invaluable asset to the Marchettis?"

Leniency

OH FUCK, I'VE BEENset up.

One look at the dining room, and I know right away it's no coincidence it's only Massimo seated on one side of the table and Giancarlo on the other.

Shit.

The Marchetti matriarch is practically fanatical when it comes to being punctual for mealtimes, and so is Cesare. That neither of them is present means shit is definitely about to hit the fan, but before I can take a step back and make my retreat—-

Shit, shit, shit!

Giancarlo has already risen to his feet, and he turns to face me like he already knew I was there from the start.

"Good morning, Sarica."

The way he pulls my seat out as he speaks isn't lost on me. He's extremely good at being subtle when issuing a command, and as much as I hate to admit this, I haven't yet mustered the courage to disobey one.

My stomach ties itself in knots as I sit down, and as Giancarlo settles back on his seat, Massimo catches my eye before slowly drawing an invisible line across his neck as he mouths out two words.

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