Page 48 of Broken Princess

I also can't help but fear his willingness to push her wedding off indefinitely, let alone admitting that, is just more proof my suspicions about his plans to betray the Rossis are correct.

She stands from the table and stalks out of the room without another word, leaving me alone with the people who are effectively ruining my life.

"Anyway," Dad continues like nothing happened, "the wedding will be next month and that should give you plenty of time to speak with your family, Stefan. I assume your mother will want some involvement with the wedding as well."

"I'm sure she will," Stefan says, glancing over at me again. "As long as Amelia is all right with it."

"Of course she is," Dad says before I have the chance.

I sigh. "Do you think we could be excused?" I ask. "I'd like to have a moment to speak with Stefan alone."

"Of course," Dad says, even though he's looking at me with suspicion. He knows it's not like I want to run off to have a romantic moment alone with my "beloved" so he's right to be suspicious. He can't admit that in front of Natalie, though.

"I'm sure you have a lot to talk about," Natalie says in a dry tone. "But keep it downstairs. Even if it's a bit of a moot point, you need to at least try to keep things proper until the wedding. If you can help yourselves."

Her pointed tone is definitely a dig at me, but I just force a stiff smile and stand from my chair as Stefan offers a hand to help me out of it. "I'm sure we'll find a way."

And nowIhave to find a way to talk him out of this.

CHAPTER 22

AMELIA

"So, you want to talk to me?" Stefan asks in a tone that makes it clear he knows how suspicious that is. "I have to admit, considering the fact that you've been letting all my calls go to voicemail and ignoring my texts, I'm surprised."

I fold my arms, turning to face him. "Well, an opportunity presented itself and we're both already here. Since we're alone, you want to finally tell me what the hell is going on?"

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Oh, come on," I say, rolling my eyes. "You know what I mean. Pretending you're the father of my baby? Going along with whatever my father says? I can't figure out if you've lost your mind, or he's blackmailing you."

"Actually," Stefan says, "I'm doing it because I care about you."

I scoff. "Yeah, right. You don't even know me."

"I know you well enough to know that I want you," he insists. "And I'm willing to do anything to make sure you're happy. Even if you hate me for it right now."

I frown, listening carefully. I believe he actually means it, which is a point for the whole lost his mind theory.

"If you really go through with this, I'm going to hate you forever," I warn him.

Even now, though, looking into his eyes full of warmth and the conviction that he's doing the right thing, I know I won't be able to follow through on that.

"I know," he says softly. "But it's a risk I'm willing to take."

I just shake my head, looking away because I can't bring myself to hold his gaze. "I still love Lorenzo."

"But you haven't told him the truth."

His words cut like a knife.

"No," I agree. "I haven't, because it's only going to get him in trouble, or worse."

"You're probably right about that," he says thoughtfully.

It's the opening I've been waiting for, and I know if I don't take it now, I might not get another chance like it. "What do you know about my father and the Rossis?"

He frowns in confusion. Either he's good at playing innocent or he really is. "What do you mean?"

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