Page 55 of La Dolce Vita

"You make no sense. Just a few months ago you were ranting in everyone's ear about him being your brother. About us all accepting it. Now that's changed?"

"Yes," Marietta said. "Mira was kidnapped. Lorenzo cheated on me..."

Catalina looked at her with concern.

Marietta sighed. "Lorenzo and I had problems, you know that because I wasn't focused on our family. The one we are making. It's my priority now. He's a good husband, now."

"He didn't cheat, Marietta."

"Were you there?" Marietta asked. Catalina shook her head no. "Then don't tell me what he didn't do. A man don't sleep with whores for comfort. Trust me.Iknow."

"Does he deny the cheating?" Catalina asked.

"He doesn't dare mention any of it. When I do mention it, I get roses or another diamond bracelet. He's lucky I don't cut his dick off," Marietta huffed.

"Ah? Whatever you say." Catalina turned to the dresser and began to finger pick through her bra and panties drawer. Marietta walked around the room inspecting some of Catalina’s things. She did so without speaking. After a moment Catalina turned her attention back to her.

"Something wrong?"

"You heard the stories about this woman Isabella? Lorenzo's long lost sister," Marietta said.

"Yes, she's why that man from China came here and took Mira," Catalina said.

"Can I tell you something else? Something I've never told Mira or anyone? Something between you and me."

Catalina stared at her for a moment. Then she nodded.

"You must promise me that you will never share this with anyone. Not until Lorenzo and I figure things out." Marietta walked over and took Catalina's hand. "Promise me."

"I promise, what is it?"

"I've heard of her before. Isabella. I knew of her before. Not that she was Lorenzo's sister. But... she is the reason he and I fell in love."

"What?" Catalina frowned.

Marietta let her hand go. "When I came to Italy I was looking for my father. My real dad. I thought he was Italian. I got an anonymous letter from a woman named Isabella telling me that Lorenzo could help me find out about my mother."

Catalina’s eyes stretched. Marietta crossed her arms over her breasts. "I didn't know the woman Isabella, or Lorenzo at the time. I had seen him but didn't know him. This woman pushed us to meet. Orchestrated it in some way. She's been watching Mirabella and me for a long time. Plotting against Lorenzo and Giovanni, hell the entire family."

"Then we must tell Gio!" Catalina exclaimed.

"No. No. No. No. No! He barely trusts me as it is. We tell him how I met Lo, and it'll just divide them further. No. I'm telling you this because we need to stand united on protecting Mirabella and the family ourselves. If you find out anything about Isabella, anything in Sicily or Paris, or anywhere, tell me first."

"No," Catalina shook her head.

"Listen to me. The men are going to find her and kill her. I don't doubt it. But she's a slippery snake. Her sole purpose is to use lies and manipulations to divide us. We women have a different responsibility than the men. We aren't hot headed or quick to react..."

Catalina scoffed. "You're not hot headed?"

"Okay, I have a temper. Who doesn't? But I'm pregnant, and my husband is vulnerable. Giovanni discovers he is keeping this from him and he... he won't trust him anymore. What we have to do is work together to make sure we keep Giovanni and Lorenzo from becoming enemies. That's what Isabella wants, Catalina."

"Why not tell Mirabella?" Catalina asked.

"We will. I'm going to Chianti with her. We'll find out what's wrong with her and then I'll tell her. Okay?"

Catalina smiled. "You do love her. Don't you?"

"I love all of you," Marietta hugged Catalina. The two women eventually separated, and Catalina touched Marietta's tiny belly. She rubbed it.

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