Page 23 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“I got it from the bookstore at church last Sunday.” I lied as confidently as I could, praying he would buy it.

A low growl rippled through his body. Suddenly, he jerked his hand away, taking the cross with it. A sharp pain radiated on the back of my neck as the chain snapped. I cupped my palm over the discomfort yet made no sound.

“What’s going on?!” My father sprung up from his desk chair. “Donte, why are you hurting my daughter?”

Donte held Gavino's necklace in the air, spinning toward my father. All eyes were on him, though it appeared everyone was confused. Everyone except Donte and me. A lump swelled in my chest, slithering its way into my throat. The men shifted their weight. Two crossed their arms, awaiting an explanation.

“This is the rosary of the D'Angelo family!” Donte snapped, shaking the cross.

Nick scowled before dropping his head. I watched him, trying to force eye contact, but he only glanced at me briefly in disgust. He slid his hands in his pockets, finally glaring in my direction.

“Is this true, Sofia?” My father brought his hand to his chin, stroking his well-maintained beard.

I shook my head. “They had it at church, and I picked it out because my rosary broke a couple of weeks ago.” I stood my ground.

Donte shot me a quick glance, scoffing. “Bullshit!”

“Give me my necklace!”

“Bring it to me!” My father instructed calmly.

Without another word, Donte marched to my father, handing it to him. My father cradled it in his palm while Nick leaned over, inspecting it with him. Nick looked up, squinting at me. Puffing my cheeks out, I exhaled deeply.

“Sofia, come here.”

I trudged over to the desk nervously. Awkwardly, I stroked my arm as my father gripped the rosary tightly in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment, before snapping them open and holding his hand out. I grabbed it thinking I was in the clear. A sigh of relief came over me as I spun to stride out of the room.

“Sofia Danielle Barone, stop!” His voice sent a tremor down my spine, and I knew I was in a lot of trouble.

Gulping, I froze, fighting back tears. I slowly turned around.

“You may be an adult but while you live in my home, you will have rules.”

I nodded, uncertain.

“That being said, you are now confined to the walls of this house tonight.”

“But da—”

“No!” He snapped. “I cannot believe you would betray this family by exchanging any conversation and jewelry with the D'Angelo family!” The volume of his voice continued to rise. “GO TO YOUR ROOM! NICK TAKE YOUR SISTER TO HER FUCKING ROOM!”

My brother wasted no time stepping around the desk and grabbing my arm. He started to drag me out of the room as I finally broke down and wept. In the process, I dropped the necklace but begged Nick to let me get it.

My father lumbered over, bent down, and picked it up. He smiled evilly as he placed it inside his suit pocket. “I think I’ll personally return this to Gavino for you.”

The surroundings became a blur. It was useless to argue with a man like my father. I still attempted to fight off Nick’s hold on my arm, but it was no use. When we got to the stairs, I gave up and accepted my fate, however, I sniffledall the way to my room.

Here I was in my early twenties and being treated like a thirteen-year-old. My brother escorted me to my room then pushed me through the threshold. I stumbled but did not fall. I spun around, glaring at him through my tears.

“I hope you know you just signed Gavino's death contract.” He smirked.

“Don't you dare touch him!” I began to sob harder. “He didn’t do anything wrong to me!”

Shaking his head, he chuckled sarcastically. “I can’t believe you would betray our family like this.” He sped through the door of my room.

I took three quick steps back, sitting on the edge of my bed.

Nick paced in front of me. “What the hell were you thinking, Sofia?” He stopped, pivoting to me and crossing his arms, wanting an answer.

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