AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe he needs a wife of his own.
Chapter 16: Katrina
I’manervouswreck.I don’t know how to tell my family I’ve married Demetri. My bedroom door is open as I go back and forth from the middle of the room to the doorway. A few people have passed, but not a single one has looked my way. I can hear a baby crying down the hall, and I know my niece or nephew has been born.
Each time I think of how to tell my family, I revert to being a little girl, too scared to say a thing. I’m not ready to tell anyone yet. They already look at me like I’ve lost my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut. I’ve harmed everyone in my family one way or another. My father is dead because he tried to protect me. I ruined Luna’s wedding, and she’s in the hospital. My oldest sister, Aria—I somehow thought I loved her betrothed all those years ago, and he was the one who got me hooked on drugs. He ended up paying the price with his life. Then Gia, my other sister, blamed herself for my overdosing, and that’s why she disappeared. She thought I was dead and that it was her fault. I would have a hard time forgiving me too. I wish my life could have gone differently. All I ever wanted was to be loved and to return that sentiment.
“Katrina?”
I open my eyes, watching my mother walk in, and she sees my daughter in the middle of the bed. Her face fills with confusion.
“When did you have your baby? I thought you wanted me to be there, to help you?” She looks so tired, but also sad and disappointed that I didn’t follow tradition. Every Rossi baby has been born in this house.
“It just happened….” My voice trails off, and my eyes lower away from my mother looking around the room. It’s a good thing my mother is always prepared. She had a bassinet, diapers, and formula ready for when I had my baby, even though I had said I had plenty of time to do that.
“A baby being born doesn’t just happen. Oh my gosh, did you have it here? Has a doctor even looked at you?”
“Mom, stop. I would like to introduce your granddaughter, Capree. She was born in a hospital, and while all the chaos was happening earlier, I came up here with her to stay out of everyone’s way.”
She comes over and gives me a hug. “You would rather have her all by yourself and have no family to help you? That’s not how you were raised, Katrina. Family is important. We support and protect each other at all costs.”
“I know this, Mom. I love you all with all my heart.” I could tell her that Demetri, my husband, was with me. It’s on the tip of my tongue. “But at some point, I have to be responsible and take care of myself. I have a daughter now.”
“Luca has a lovely man we could arrange for you. He’s always wanted a family.”
“Stop!” I accidentally raise my voice, and my mother flinches.
“We are only trying to protect you.”
“Have you ever thought maybe I don’t need protecting or saving? I just need to be loved unconditionally.”
“Have I not loved you enough?” she questions, and I hate the sadness in her voice. I should have stayed quiet. Now she’s looking at me like I’ve wounded her. “You know it’s perfectly normal to feel blue after a baby.”
I close my eyes and breathe in. I can never win with my family. Opening my eyes, I give her a tight smile. “I’m good, Mom. I couldn’t be happier.”
They’re always checking to see how sane I seem. If I let them, they would take Capree away too.
I pick my baby up and rock her in my arms. She’s the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.
A knock on the door has her startling, and this time, Aria walks in with my best friend, Sophia. She’s probably myonlyfriend in the whole wide world.
“Gia needs me.” My mother touches my hand before leaving to tend to the daughter whowantsher help.
Sophia sees the baby and looks at me. She doesn’t miss a beat. “Look at you. You look radiant!” she exclaims, walking in and shutting my sister out so she can’t spy on us. There’s no questioning where I was the last few months from her. There’s no,when did you get pregnant?Or,when did you have a baby?We slip into our regular routine perfectly. It’s one of the many reasons I love her. There’s never any judgment between us.
“Thank goodness you’re here.” I transfer the baby into her arms. “I did something crazy.”
She laughs. “That’s what I love about you. Go on. The crazy part must not be the baby you’re handing me.”
“I married a hot, scary Russian.”
“Wow, that’s a big step. Is your family forcing you? Because I still think the three of us should run away. Get out of here and live normal lives.” That’s why Sophia is my best friend. She’s already automatically including Capree.
“We both know our lives will never be normal.” I sigh, walking into my closet. Sophia’s life is just as messed up as mine. Her aunt raised her since she was four, and her uncles work for my family.
“Not the way you’re talking.”
I look over my shoulder at her after I pick out an outfit that won’t have anyone questioning me. Sweatpants and a T-shirt. Not that I think I could squeeze myself into any of my old pants. “I need you to do me a huge favor.”
