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Serena stares at me with a mixture of pity and disbelief and I wonder what I’ve said wrong.
“So, you’renotin love with Killian?”
She appears disappointed about that, and I shrug. “I don’t know what love is, but I do know it has no place in the marriage contract I signed. We get on though. I like him. I respect him and I want to make him happy.”
“Why?”
She spears confused and I smile. “Because he makes me happy. He cares for me, and I feel safe with him. He rescued me from a terrible place and promised to show me the world. I will be the perfect wife and he will educate me in life.”
Serena shares a look with her grandmother, and I don’t like what I see. She just nods and says a little sadly. “I understand now. Forgive me, Purity, Nonna’s right. You are both perfect for one another.”
We carry on eating and I absolutely love the food and say politely, “Nonna. The food is incredible. I have never tasted anything quite so amazing. You know…” I laugh nervously. “I was worried it may be more of that shell stuff Killian likes and meat that hasn’t been cooked. I’m so happy it’s not. In fact, I could eat everything before me. It is that good.”
I note the approval in nonna’s eyes and Serena bursts out laughing. “You just earned nonna’s undying love. She loves women who eat and appreciate what’s before them.”
“I do.” Nonna smiles. “Good home cooking is the best there is.”
“Will you teach me?” I say with enthusiasm, and she smiles, the twinkle returning to her eyes.
“It will be my pleasure.”
I’m at ease with the two women who are closest to Killian, and I am very happy about that. They’ve made me so welcome, and I pinch myself that things worked out so well for me.
As soon as we finish, Serena says suddenly. “I have a plan to waste a couple of hours. It won’t take long to get you ready, so why don’t we relax for a bit?”
Nonna says carefully, “What are you thinking?”
She appears interested and Serena grins, throwing her grandmother a look that I can’t quite place.
“A movie.”
“Wow. That sounds so good.” I say with happy delight because any movies I’ve ever seen were a few short moments snatched watching when I should be somewhere else entirely.
“Then I’ll leave you to it while I make certain everything is in place.”
Nonna smiles and leaves the room and Serena once again links her arm in mine.
“Come, there is a cinema room at the top of the house. We can make ourselves comfortable and chill for a bit.”
I follow her upstairs and once again can’t believe my luck and I really do consider I’m the luckiest girl in the world right now and nobody can persuade me otherwise.
CHAPTER32
KILLIAN
Time passes so quickly I’m surprised when nonna heads into my room and says with amusement. “It’s time. You have one hour.”
Saint makes to tidy away the folder we’ve pored over for hours and come to a very disturbing conclusion of what must be done. The facts are too horrific to ignore and it’s with a heavy heart I nod and say wearily, “Of course. The plan still stands. As soon as I’m married, we will head back to Chicago and deal with this latest information.”
Saint nods and leaves with the folder tucked under his arm and as I stand, nonna says with concern. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Nonna.”
She raises her eyes with concern.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course.” I really don’t have time for this and then she says sadly, “I want you to love, Killian. To know what it’s like to experience the most powerful emotion God can bestow on you. Not this. Not this business arrangement that will destroy an innocent girl’s life.”
