Page 25 of Beguiled and Broken

Bianca: Oh, I’m so sorry, Cat. It was a spur of the moment decision. But leftovers are amazing too. We’ll see you guys later.

I was fuming! I was trying to reel it in, but I was so angry. My phone vibrated again.

Bianca: Oh yeah, how did their doc appointments go?

Me: Went fine. Healthy as can be.

Bianca: Wonderful. Thank you for taking care of that.

Me: Sure thing. Enjoy dinner.

I hoped theydidn’tenjoy dinner. So selfish. They didn’t even think of meonce again. Never thought maybe,just maybe,I might’ve made dinner formyfamily. I grabbed the pan of lasagna, put some aluminum foil on it and slammed it in the fridge. When I closed the fridge door, I was met with these little eyes. Gianna and Angelo. “Are you guys ok?”

“We’re hungry.”

Oh my god. In my anger, I completely forgot they hadn’t eaten. “I’m so sorry my babies. Sit at the table. I will dish you up some food.” Their little eyes lit up as they ran over to the table. The food was still warm when I pulled it back out of the fridge, so I didn’t need to warm it up. I made myself a plate too and sat with them to eat it.

“Where’s mama and papa?” Angelo stared at me.

“Oh, her and your daddy went out and will be back later to tuck you into bed. So, it’s just us for dinner. That’s ok, right?”

Gianna nodded her head and smiled big. “How about you, Angelo. Is that ok?”

He smiled and nodded, “Yep.” I smiled back at them and thought about Vinny.

*

The kids were asleep up in their rooms, while I sat on the couch waiting for Vinny and Bianca. I heard a car door slam, then Vinny and Bianca jiggling the door handle, trying to unlock it through laughter. My annoyance level had hit an all-time high. When the door finally opened, they came in, chuckling and giggling away. I stood up fast and to leer at them. They looked caught off guard. “The kids are in their beds waiting for you to say goodnight to them. Hope you had a good time. They’ve eaten and been bathed. Gianna colored you a picture that she wanted to give you at dinner, but we hung it on the fridge. Goodnight.”

“Catarina, wait. Is everything ok?” Bianca asked.

“Everything’s fine.” It was a tersefine, but I nodded my head and turned for the basement.

Everything is fine. Just fine.Dandy even. I pulled out my diary.

Dear Diary,

Dinner with Vinny was wonderful. We laughed and joked like teenagers again. Coming home, we fumbled into the house while we hushed each other so we didn’t look like we had too much of good time and wake the kids. I treasured our time together. I needed more time together with Vinny, alone, with that Brooklyn bitch out of the picture. One day, I’ll figure out how to get her out of the picture, for good.”

- Cat

I put my diary back under my pillow and exhaled a deep breath. Everything would be fine, but I needed a plan. Being left out in the cold was tiring, and evil. Bianca didn’tneedVinny the way I needed Vinny. Ineededhim in my life, and I wasn’t going to letanyonekeep him from me. I knew he needed me too. He was just afraid ofher.I was determined to make him never fear her again, and be home more, no matter what it took.

Chapter 17

Catarina

The planning was set. I had it all figured out. My last plan backfired, so I was much more careful this time. I had thought Vinny would love hearing me call out his name while I fucked. I was wrong. I actually thought I saw him cringe. Thinking back to that first dinner, when he took my side after Bianca got home and saw us eating dinner together, was all the evidence I needed that he cared for me. That hewantedme.ThatVinny, had to be in there somewhere still.

I was preparing dinner again when Vinny got home. He didn’t say anything, but he came around the corner and stopped at the counter. I greeted him with a smile and said, “Hey, Vinny! The kids are in their rooms, playing. I’m just getting dinner ready.”

“Thanks. Have you heard from Bianca?”

I tried to sound calm. “I haven’t. I can try and call her if you’d like.” I was still holding the baking dish in my hand, ready to put it in the oven.

“If you would, that’d be great. I’m sure everything’s fine, but she hadn’t mentioned being home late.”

I smiled. “No problem. I’ll give her a call. Why don’t you go get changed. Dinner will be ready soon. You can check on the kids, too.”

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