Page 71 of Forever Fake

“We’re well protected. If it’s too much, you can always return to the hotel. You’re not obligated to spend every minute out with us.” I offer her a reassuring smile to cover up my worry.

No one knows what exactly happened to Elena three years ago, but ever since that trauma she’s been living with relatives in Italy. Apparently as a recluse.

“It’s okay,” she says. “I probably should get out more.”

“Maybe I can come visit you sometime and we can live it up all over Italy.”

“I’d like that.”

“Really?”

Elena shrugs. “Honestly, I don’t know, but I’d love your company. Right now I feel like I’m not really living. Each day blends into the next.” She runs her fingers over a rack of silk scarves. “If I keep going like this, one day I’ll wake up and find that my entire life has passed me by, and that scares me.”

God, I didn’t realize how bad she’s gotten. Is no one taking care of her, checking in on her?

I glance at my sisters and Ravenna who are all happily married and living their own lives. Maybe they don’t have time to see what’s really going on with Elena. She must be so lonely.

I face her and say, “After my wedding and honeymoon, I’ll come stay with you for a while, okay? We’re not going to let your life pass you by. Promise.”

A rare smile appears on her lips. “Okay.”

“Now let’s go annoy Arianna, she’s been glued to her phone all day.”

Elena shakes her head, but follows me as I steal my sister’s phone right out of her hands.

“Hey!” Arianna protests, coming after me. “Gin, give it back this instant!”

I toss it to Elena, who catches it, but quickly hands it over to a flustered Arianna. I don’t know why messing with her never grows old, but it doesn’t.

“You’re a menace to society,” she mutters, and I laugh.

“But you love me anyway, admit it.”

She rolls her eyes, resuming to work on her phone. “I’ll never admit that.”

“Please?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes and she cracks.

“Fine. I love you, but you’re still a menace.”

Sophia rounds a display and finds us. “Are you two bickering again?”

“No,” Arianna and I say in unison to our older sister, then bust out laughing.

Our sibling dynamics are so ingrained from spending our entire lives together, that it’s an odd realization that they’re actually my half-sisters. And my cousins… I’m actually not blood related to them at all because they’re Papa’s brother’s children. But I don’t really care. Even if they aren’t my blood, I choose them as my family.

Why am I so nervous? It’s the big day. I’m wearing a divine Skye Adair wedding gown from her newest collection, andas far as I can tell everything is going perfectly—at least that’s what Arianna’s been telling me all morning. But my nerves are frayed. I’m having the wedding jitters for a marriage that will ultimately be fake. All of a sudden this seems like a very bad idea.

I mean, what are we doing with our lives? Fake or not, we’ll be legally bound for a year and that seems like the kind of thing that stays with a person for the rest of their life. One day soon, I’ll be anex-wife. That doesn’t settle so well with me.

I release a long, steady breath and stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, hugging my curves but still elegant and bridal. A sparkly tiara nestles in my blond updo, a few well-placed curls tickle my neck and shoulders.

This is what a princess looks like, or maybe even a queen. Certainly not a blackmailed mafia don’s daughter, who recently found out she’s not only illegitimate, but a child of rape. Which could also be why I’m nervous today. While I’ve learned the truth, Papa and I agreed to continue playing our parts for the sake of the family, to keep the peace, so he’ll be walking me down the aisle. Blake hated the idea at first, but when I told him it’s what I really want, he gave in.

I know Papa can’t wait to get rid of me. If only my marriage to Blake had longevity. It doesn’t, and I need to come to terms with that. Once we divorce, I’ll be out on my own. Even if I was welcome to return home, I wouldn’t, not now that I know the truth about my parentage.

I’m fine.

Everything will be fine.

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