Page 16 of Sin and Redemption

Liliana and Romero exchanged a look that spoke of shared trust and wordless understanding, one I sometimes witnessed between my parents and had always admired. “Sara canceled the wedding with Paolo. She didn’t want to bring a child into their marriage,” Liliana continued. The timbre of her voice shifted for the second sentence, telling me it wasn’t the truth.

“And he didn’t want me anymore.”

My eyes darted to Sara, who hovered in the doorway. She wore jeans and a sweater that hid her belly, not that there would be a belly at this point, but I still couldn’t stop staring.

“That’s not what he said,” her mother said gently. In the past two weeks, I had waited for Paolo to confront me in some way. If someone had hurt my fiancée, I would have gone to him and probably killed him.

Sara let out a sigh. “Not in those words, but his eyes said it all. I don’t want someone to marry me out of pity.”

She slowly came into the room, looking exhausted and pale, with dark circles under her big eyes.

I had trouble keeping up with all the revelations, but my instincts told me what to do. “I want to take responsibility and help you raise the child. I realize it’s not something you’ll want, but we could marry to give the baby a family.”

Sara’s expression made me feel like an idiot. How could I suggest she marry me after what I’d done?

I cleared my throat and got up. “I earn enough money to provide for you and the child without a marriage.”

“I don’t want a marriage out of pity,” she said quietly. She avoided looking at my face, her gaze always hovering somewhere on my throat.

“I don’t feel pity.” It was mostly true. I usually didn’t feel pity, and my feelings toward Sara were dominated by burning-hot guilt.

“I can attest to his pitiless nature,” Flavio said bitterly.

My stomach tightened, but my face remained impassive. I knew what I was and what my talents were.

“We discussed this with Sara, and she thinks a marriage between you and her would be the best solution in this difficult situation,” Romero said. His tight tone told me he didn’t agree.

I searched Sara’s face. It was controlled, but her eyes brimmed with hurt.

I hadn’t considered getting married anytime soon, much less becoming a father, but I had to redeem myself however I could. Under different circumstances, marrying a beautiful and respected woman like Sara would have been a jackpot. Now, our marriage would be a constant reminder of my sin, which was exactly what I deserved.

“I’ll do whatever you think is best for you and the baby, Sara.”

“I don’t know what’s best. I don’t even want this baby. I mean—” Despair filled her face. She shook her head, self-hatred twisting her features. Whatever she felt was valid. I wished I had the words to tell her that, but I wasn’t a talker. “Excuse me.” She turned on her heel and left.

I got it. Carrying my child must be hard for her, a constant reminder of what happened. I admired her strength and dreaded how much more of it she would have to gather to get through a pregnancy and years of raising the child.

“She wants to keep it. It’s just a lot to take in,” Liliana explained, then she followed her daughter.

I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted to go after her but knew my presence was unwelcome. Sara didn’t need my consolation.

“What do you have in mind? What next?” I asked instead.

“Everything is planned for Sara’s wedding to Paolo in six weeks. We would like to keep the date.”

“And just switch the groom,” I said.

Romero nodded. “It’s not ideal.”

“Fuck, it’s a shit show. Everything that has happened. But if this helps Sara, I’ll even wear Paolo’s suit. I don’t care. My feelings won’t be hurt by this.”

“Paolo’s suit would be three sizes too small for you,” Flavio muttered.

“Many people know what happened even though Luca made it very clear that he disapproves of gossip making the rounds,” Romero said.

“People will gossip no matter what. Eventually, they’ll move on,” I said. “I’ll shut up whoever I overhear saying something.”

“Good.”

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