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“But,” she said, wiping the tears that gathered in her eyes. “I heard them whispering. I was about to enter the bathroom when I heard them. They talked so cruelly about me. They said I was acting for attention. They said I was fake. I didn’t care a lot about those, but just when I was about to leave, one of them said my son died because he was the result of sin. That was the last drop. I left immediately. I cried in Tommaso’s arms all night. Then I distanced myself from the community. I still have to attend certain events as Tommaso’s wife, but I don’t do more than that. I have like two friends, and I am staying away from everyone as much as possible.”
My chest hurt from the familiarity of the emotions her story held, but I did my best to mask it. I was a master at this, after all. Only I never came across someone who opened their heart to me about such a thing.
I also kind of felt bad about saying I never saw her around too. She clearly had a good reason to stay away. However, I was not going to reveal that. I was not going to apologize. I was sad for Sofie, but it didn’t change the fact that she and Tommaso turned their heads away like everyone else when I needed someone the most.
“I am sorry you had to go through that,” I said. That was all I was willing to give.
Sofia nodded and took a sip from her drink. “I am also sorry for what you had to go through.”
“It is probably a little late for that.”
“You are angry.”
“More like pissed.” I hated that they acted so welcoming now that I was married to Valerio.
“No.” Sofia shook her head. “You are angry. You are angry at everyone for leaving you alone. I understand your anger towards us. You have every right for that, but I wonder why are you angry at him?”
My brows furrowed, and I tied my arms at my chest to put some barriers between us because I didn’t like the way she asked that question. “Who?”
“Your husband.”
“Valerio?”
“Yeah, him,” she said with a chuckle. “It is apparent that he values you. He looks at you with a glimmer in his eyes, but you are still so angry at him as you are to everybody else.”
“I am not,” I said. Valerio had no part in my pain.
Sofia gave me a no-bullshit look. “Then why are you keeping him away? I am not even talking about your act. I have grown up in this world. I am good at reading people. Also, I was just like you once.”
“You were?”
“Yes. I tried to keep Tommaso away once upon a time too. This world hurt me, and I wanted to keep him away like I did to everybody else. He never gave me a reason to not trust him, but I did it anyway. I fought for no reason. It wasn’t his fault, but I acted like it was. It only delayed our happiness. Please don’t delay your own happiness, Luce.”
Her words made something stuck in my throat. I hated how right she was. Maybe I was being unreasonable. “It is not so easy.”
“I know,” she said softly. “But just think about it. I just hope you will get the courage to see that not all of them are the same.”
I couldn’t help the words that left my lips. “I hope that too.”
When footsteps echoed from the hallway, I quickly gathered myself. Sofia got me weak with her words, but I was not letting more people see that. She might be right about Valerio, but this was not the place or time to let go.
Sofia reached for my hand and said, “You should really talk to your brother.”
“What?” He only wanted to talk to Valerio.
“Luciana,” she said in a soft whisper. “We didn’t invite you tonight for Valerio. Tommaso has things to ask you. I know he made mistakes, but please give him a chance.”
Those words only confused me, but before I could even ask anything, two men entered the living area. Valerio had his easy smile, but my brother looked a bit tense like he usually did.
Sofia raised her glass towards her husband. “Was the drink good?”
Then he smiled. “It was amazing.”
Valerio came and sat down next to me on the sofa. I whispered while Tommaso and Sofia were busy with each other. “What did you guys talk about?”
“Just business,” he said at first but then whispered into my ear, “He threatened me not to hurt you. I might actually like your brother.”
My eyes widened as I pulled back. “He did?” I would not think anyone would threaten someone for me in my wildest dreams. I mean, except Valerio, of course.
