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“Are you sure you don’t know anything about that night?”
“Ask your thug boyfriend’s criminal pals if they had anything to do with it,” he spat. “I bet they’re queuing up to get one over on him and his dirty money.”
“Your family money is dirty too,” I reminded him. “Even if it’s dirt of a different kind. It’s all the same.”
“Yeah, and you’re begging me for a hundred grand of it.”
There was nothing more I could say. I washed my hands and left without a further word.
Chapter 28
BETH
Filled with guilt from my secret meeting with Toby, I entered the DeAngelis house with a sense of trepidation, the echo of my footsteps resonating in the opulent hallway.
I could already imagine Vittoria’s sneer, her assumption that I’d spent the day gallivanting about town. If only it were true. If only I had friends to whom I could confide my anxieties and fears.
Dolly’s absence was like a gaping hole in my life. Her laughter, her carefree spirit, her ability to befriend everyone she met—I missed it all. Dolly would have come to the scan with me and been ecstatic for me.
She would have known how to handle this complicated dance with Marco and his family. She would have given me advice, poured me a non-alcoholic drink, and made me laugh until I forgot my worries. But Dolly wasn’t here, and I was on my own.
A pang of regret washed over me. I should have spent more time with the other girls from the club, gotten to know them better. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so alone.
I was about to creep up the staircase, my hands full of the bags of gifts I’d bought for Chiara, when I spotted her. She was standing outside the lounge door, her face a mask of frustration and hurt.
I put down my bags and tiptoed towards her. She put her finger over her lips, motioning for me to be quiet.
Laughter and hushed voices seeped through the door. Vittoria. And someone else.
“Thank you for a lovely lunch,” the other woman said, her voice growing closer to the door. “Do give Chiara my best wishes, and I would love if she could join us next time.”
Whoever was inside was almost at the door. I wanted to scarper, but Chiara grabbed my wrist and kept me there, a stubborn look on her face.
The door swung open, revealing Vittoria and a woman I recognised.
It was Maya. She was dressed impeccably, in a tailored blouse crafted from the softest silk, its pearl colour complementing her rich caramel skin and warm brown eyes. A pair of high-waisted charcoal grey trousers clung to her lean figure, and delicate gold jewellery adorned her wrists and neck.
Even her shoes were a sight to behold, a pair of stiletto heels that added to her height and exuded an air of quiet confidence. Everything about her screamed luxury and high society, from the designer handbag draped over her arm to the way she moved with a self-assured grace.
Despite the casual occasion, Maya looked as if she’d just stepped out of a high-end fashion magazine, every piece of her ensemble screaming elegance and wealth. She made me feel every bit the pretender that I was.
Through the open door, I saw the remains of lunch on the small, intimate table set in the large, bright window recess. The realisation hit me like a punch in the gut—Vittoria had sent me out on purpose so she could invite Maya over.
Maya looked amused to find me standing outside the room, her large, clear eyes assessing me with an undeniable intelligence
Vittoria looked irritated, clearly aware Chiara and I had been eavesdropping. But she quickly covered it up with a smile.
“Chiara, darling, you’re up out of bed. How wonderful! Maya has brought you some lovely gifts to keep you busy.”
She ushered us into the lounge and showed us the contents of a pile of shopping bag from Harrods. Inside was a range of Dior and Chanel skincare and makeup, a couple of luxury handbags, and a set of beautifully bound classic novels from the Folio Society that made me want to dive in and read them on the spot.
“Such a thoughtful selection,” said Vittoria, beaming.
“It’s just a few things,” said Maya. “I thought you must hate being cooped up, and a girl your age might love to experiment with a new look.”
Chiara thanked Maya politely, partially because of her mother glowering at her from behind Maya.
All this while, both Vittoria and Maya had completely ignored my presence.
