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After looking up only very briefly from his papers, Lorenzo addressed me. “What do you need?”
“I thought that perhaps you could show me around the house and property?” I suggested.
“I'm not a tour guide.” His voice was terse.
“I just thought—” I began.
“If you need anything, ask Adelina. That's what she's here for. I’ve already had to take two days off because of this whole wedding thing—and work has piled up while I’ve been gone.” His manner made it clear that he thought the wedding had been an inconvenience. “I have urgent matters that need to be dealt with. I don’t have time for domestic trivialities.”
Not knowing what else to say, I left his study, quietly closing the door behind me.
I went and found Adelina, and she was more than happy to show me around the house and grounds.
“The house is beautiful,” I commented as I looked at the various rooms.
“Mrs. Rita decorated it when she and Mr. Lorenzo first married.” Adelina flushed as she mentioned Lorenzo’s first wife.
“How long have you worked here?”
“I was hired by Mrs. Rita when she arrived here after her wedding. I’m not really supposed to talk about her though,” she said in a hurried tone.
“That’s okay,” I said, not wanting my questions to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Let me show you the children’s bedroom,” Adelina offered. “Clara and Clemente still share a bedroom. Mr. Lorenzo thought Clara was old enough for her own bedroom a couple of months ago; he tried to move her into her own room, but she was so upset that he had to move her back into here.”
The bedroom was painted in a pretty cream color and contained two beds as well as a plethora of toys. Clara’s side had lots of stuffed toys, while Clemente’s side was full of cars and other toy vehicles.
As we walked around, I thought how Lorenzo was treating me like a stranger, not like a wife. I hoped that things would improve once the children arrived back. They needed something better than a cold, hostile environment around them.
Adelina then took me outside—and as well as the lovely gardens, there was also a tennis court.
I pursed my lips. Lorenzo had obviously been lying when he’d told me that there was no tennis court at his mansion.
After my tour of the house was complete, I realized that I hadn’t seen a single photo of Lorenzo’s first wife—not even in the children’s bedroom.
And that, I thought to myself, was very strange.
CHAPTER 14
LORENZO
Although it was only Anni’s second day in my home, I needed to focus on my work. Being away for just a couple of days had meant that work had started to pile up, and, in all honesty, I found it a welcome distraction.
Whenever I thought about my wedding night, I felt anger stir within me. I hadn’t been able to take Anni last night, and that had made my frustration build further.
I had gotten up early and spent the entire day holed up in my study, even having Adelina bring my lunch in here.
Just before dinner, the soldiers at the gate called my cell to let me know that my mother had arrived with the children.
I went to the door to greet them.
“Mother,” I said, kissing her cheek. Clara and Clemente ran into my outstretched arms for a hug. “Black car!” Clemente shouted, pointing to the car he’d just ridden in, while Clara stayed quiet, happy just to feel my arms around her. As usual, she was wearing her favorite blue dress, although it was getting a bit shabby and small now.
“Thank you for having the children, Mother; I really appreciate it.”
“You know I love having them, Lorenzo. And you needed some time alone with your new wife, of course. I hope things are going well with her?”
“Things are fine,” I replied. “Adelina has dinner ready,” I said, deliberately changing the subject. My mother didn’t need to know that this marriage looked like it was going to be just as much of a disaster as my first one. “Why don’t you join us?”
