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I scoff and hold a hand to my chest. “You wound me,” I say in a mocking tone. But I can’t help feeling a little hurt by her opinion. I don’t blame her though, I’m treating her badly, exactly how Gio would expect me to act. And, in life, I’ve never exactly been good to women. Having never had a female role model growing up, since my mom died during mine and Aiden’s birth, I only had my dad’s example to follow, which was pretty rotten.
“Let’s eat and get the hell out of here.”
I arch a brow. “Fine.”
We fall into an uncomfortable silence as the rest of the evening progresses, and I start to question my entire approach when it comes to Bella Benedetto. As part of me wants her to submit willingly and fall at my feet, though I know it’s a highly unrealistic expectation.
16
BELLA
It’s been a week since my parents announced my engagement to Isiah, which immediately forced my Auntie Olivia to come and visit.
I love Olivia. She’s not like the rest of my family. Nina and I have always gotten on really well with her. She’s our dad’s sister, who also was subjected to an arranged marriage, but it turned out well for her. Uncle Darius, the guy she married, she actually likes.
“Stop moping, Bella, it doesn’t suit you.”
I glare at her. “I’m sorry, but I’m just not in a good mood. My parents are forcing me to marry a stuck-up asshole.”
She shakes her head. “I’ve got an idea,” she announces.
I grab the box of cereal and pour myself some into a bowl. “What kind of idea?” I ask, adding milk.
“How about a weekend away?” she suggests.
“Does that really fix anything?”
She sighs. “It might take your mind off of things.”
I shrug. “Where were you thinking?”
“How about London? You can see your future home.”
“Are you suggesting this to depress me more?”
Olivia shakes her head. “At least you’ll be away from him. Isiah is remaining in Washington until the wedding, as far as I’m aware.” She smiles. “We can take the jet, just the two of us. No men or bullshit about the wedding.”
“And you think my dad will agree?”
“I’ve already cleared it with him. He thought it was a good idea.”
I sigh heavily. “Of course he did.”
“You know Nina is heartbroken over Cathal. I shouldn’t really leave her alone.”
The guy was clearly no good, as he’s ghosted her since the party the other week.
“Nina is going to have to learn how to toughen up and take care of herself. She’s a big girl and when you are married, who will look after her then?”
I sigh heavily, as Olivia has a point. Once I’m married to the stuck-up British bastard, I’ll be shipped off to London, and something tells me that Isiah wouldn’t take kindly to me bringing my sister along. “You’re right.”
“See this as a trial run? Nina will cope.”
I swallow hard. Even though Olivia is my dad’s sister, she doesn’t know the details of Nina’s struggles with depression and the attempts she made to take her own life. “Sure, let’s do it.”
Olivia beams. “Perfect. I’ll call your father and arrange everything. I just need you to be ready to leave by this evening.”
I sigh heavily and nod. “I’ll be ready,” I say in defeat, spooning my cereal into my mouth despite no longer feeling hungry. A weekend away might be the perfect thing to keep my mind off of Isiah Darcy, even if only temporarily, but London seems like the last place to do it. I know better than to argue with Auntie Olivia, though, when she’s got an idea in her head.
