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She gives me a sad smile. "I want to get ready alone,soru. I need to get used to not having you to rely on as my security blanket."
"But—"
"You know that saying. Start as you mean to go on. This is the first day of this chapter of my life."
"I was looking forward to this morning." It will be my last time alone with her. The rest of the day, we will be surrounded by others and tomorrow, I will leave New York.
"You are such a good sister." Carlotta smiles at me. "But I need this time. Please will you give it to me?"
"Of course." No matter how hard it is to give up these final hours with her, I cannot refuse my sister if this is what she needs to ready herself for a marriage we both know she doesn't want.
If I could think of a way to protect her from it, I would. But there is no changing our father's mind once it is made up.
"I don't want to be pestered by anyone. Will you make sure that Aria and Zia Lora do not interrupt my time alone? It's going to be enough just having the makeup artist and hair stylist in there with me."
"If that is what you want, I'll make sure it happens."
Carlotta smiles. "I knew you would. Thank you, Catalina, you are the best."
I don't remember the last time she called me Catalina instead ofsoru. It feels momentous, like our relationship is changing. And it is. My sister is going to be a don's wife.
And I am going to be gone.
Two hours later, when Aria arrives already wearing a gorgeous light green designer gown that brings out the color of her eyes and her makeup done flawlessly, I explain that Carlotta does not want to be disturbed before my father's arrival at the church.
Severu's mother frowns, like this worries her, but says, "I will see to the guests then. You look absolutely stunning. I would have liked to have seen you wearing the wedding dress."
She leaves before I can reply to her astonishing comment.
She must have saidawedding dress, notthewedding dress and I simply misheard her. Yes, that must be it. I'm still reeling from Aria's words when Zia Lora arrives.
She is not happy when I tell her about Carlotta's request to be left alone. "But I have not given her the talk yet," my aunt says a little hysterically.
I stare at her and then cannot help the laugh that bubbles up out of my throat. "Do not worry. Girls talk. Even in proper boarding schools like the one Carlotta and I attended."
"You are sure? I would not have her ignorant of what to expect on her wedding night."
I'm fairly certain Carlotta knows exactly what to expect and that is half the reason she's so nervous about getting married. I finally convince Zia Lora to join the wedding guests.
And then I am alone for the first time that morning. The makeup artist and stylist are both gone. Papà will be here any minute, but for this moment in time, I am utterly alone and I am grateful.
Because in less than thirty minutes I have to watch my sister walk down the aisle toward the man I crave.
~ ~ ~
Papà arrives a few minutes late, but that is to be expected. I'm sure he got sidetracked talking to people he deems important.
People that are not me. I do not think he would even deign to speak to me, except that Carlotta is not here in the room where he expects her to be.
"Where is your sister?"
"She wanted to get ready alone. She is in the room through that door." I point to the door that connects to another room.
Without replying, Papà crosses to the door and opens it without knocking. I hear him call for my sister. She should be right there. Unless she had to use the restroom one last time before putting on her wedding dress.
My father curses and then goes silent. A minute later, he comes storming back.
His face purple with rage, he waves a piece of paper around. "Where is she? What have you done with her?" he whisper shouts the demand.
