Page 61 of Luca
"Sofia,” he stops me. "Is there anything specific you're hoping to find in Prague? Anyone you want to see or reconnect with?"
He’s fishing for something.
"No, just the usual tourist things. Museums, restaurants." I force a smile. "Why?"
"No reason. I want to make sure we don't miss anything important to you."
"The only thing important to me is spending time with you."
It's what Sofia would say. Sweet, devoted. Luca isn’t buying it.
My phone buzzes again. Papa, of course. "Gabriella, please. This can't wait."
I quickly delete it, but not before Luca notices the message notification disappearing from my screen.
"Important message?" he asks.
"No, only a spam text."
I'm drowning in lies, and each one makes it harder to remember what story I'm supposed to be telling.
"I'll let you finish packing," Luca says, standing. "We leave soon."
Luca barely has time to leave and shut the door when my phone starts ringing. I know without checking, it’s Papa again. Calling instead of texting despite my clear signals that I don't want to talk. If I don't answer, he'll keep calling, maybe even show up here. Which would be an absolute disaster.
"What?" I snap on the second ring.
"Thank God. I've been trying to reach you all morning."
"I told you not to call me. Stop texting too."
"Listen to me. I've been thinking about this situation all night, and I need to know you're not planning anything reckless."
"The only thing that's reckless is you making phone calls and texts that can be traced. Stop it!"
"I had to try. I'm terrified about what might happen if this continues."
"And I told you I would handle it."
"By leaving the country?” His voice rises. "Do you think I'm stupid? Where are you hiding Sofia?"
I don't answer, which is answer enough.
"I knew it," he says. "You’re trying to find her. While your husband becomes more suspicious by the day. This is not the time to leave town. This is the time to lay low and hope everything settles down."
"It's the only chance I might have to warn her to keep moving. If I can even find her. And to maybe work out a better plan."
The silence that follows is long and heavy.
"Sofia was never strong enough for this kind of life,” he finally says.
“You’re right, she’s isn’t and you’re the one who forced her into this marriage. Now I’m trying to fix it. I must go. Don't call me again unless it's an emergency. And I mean a real emergency, not a panic attack."
I finish packing quickly, shoving the last of Sofia's conservative clothes into the suitcase and making sure my own emergency supplies are well hidden. In Prague, I'll need to become myself again, at least temporarily.
An hour later, I'm standing in the foyer with three suitcases and a fake smile. Luca is checking messages on his phone while Paolo loads our luggage into a black SUV.
I’m leaving for my honeymoon and instead of being happy, I’m terrified.
