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"He was a good father, and I’d go so far as to say he never shirked his duties as a husband, but he wasn’t a saint, either."
"B-but..." Solene shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Didn’t the two of you have a love match?"
"And that’s why you should never fall in love." She glances from me to my sister. "To think you have found your soulmate, only to have him betray your trust, is as disappointing as having your children think the worst of you."
I flush a little. Guess I deserve that. But I’m not making excuses. My mother may have had her fair share of issues to deal with, but it doesn’t negate the fact that she was an absolute bitch to me growing up.
"You see, love is a mirage, and I’m trying my best to save the two of you from future disappointment."
"That’s why you wanted us to have arranged marriages?" I lower my chin to my chest.
She nods. "This way, you walk in with your eyes open and no illusions, and if your husband does fall in love with you, it’s a welcome surprise. And if he doesn’t, you still have the money, the prestige, the security of a marriage, and later, children. It’s all you need."
"That’s such a pessimistic point of view. What’s there in life if you don’t have love?" Solene tips up her chin.
"What is there in life when you’re betrayed by love?" My mother draws in a breath. "I know you don’t want to believe me. You think I’m saying all of this because I’m envious that you’re only now starting your lives. But really, I only want to save you from heartbreak."
"You don’t have to worry about me, because I’m not marrying for love."
"Aren’t you?" My mother glances at me with a funny look on her face.
"Of course not. It’s an arrangement. He needs to marry to fulfill his promise to his grandmother and I—" I press my lips together. “As you’re well aware, I’m marrying to keep our family safe. So, no, it’s not love."
"If you say so," my mother murmurs.
"I, on the other hand, have no intention of marrying yet, and when I do so, itwillbe for love." Solene draws herself up to her full height. "It’s why I’m going to LA with Declan."
"You’re going to LA?" my mother and I both say at the same time. We glance at each other, then back at Solene.
"Are you marrying him?" my mother asks.
She laughs. "Of course not. I just met the man. But he’s promised to help introduce me to agents and help kick start my singing career."
"That’s wonderful. I’m so happy to see you giving this a shot."
"You’re not marrying him, but you’re going to stay with him?" My mother’s tone is censorious.
My sister raises a shoulder. "I have nowhere else to stay. And he’s told me he has a spare bedroom, and I can use it until I get on my feet."
"Why don’t you marry him? That way you’ll have some security, at least."
"Ma, please. I don’t know him at all." She scoffs.
"But you’re going to LA with him," she points out.
"Yes, but that’s only because he has connections in the industry."
"And you’re attracted to him." I narrow my gaze on her. "I’m not going to stop you from following your dream. Far from it, but I do want to ask you to be careful."
"Will the two of you stop treating me like a child?"
"You just turned eighteen, Solene, you’re still a teenager," I say gently.
"And I can decide what I want to do with my life. I’m done with letting other people make my decisions for me," she says through gritted teeth.
I bite the inside of my cheek. "I’m glad you recognize there’s more to life than getting married and having babies. Not that it’s not something I don’t want for you, or for myself, but it helps to live a little and figure out what you want first."
"Right now, I want to pursue my career as a singer and—" She glances away then back at me. "I admit, I want to see where this thing with Declan goes."
