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“I didn’t know either until Francesca entered my life.”
I smile to myself as I take a bite of broccoli.
Emilia settles down after that, becoming slightly warmer toward Leo. Slightly. There’s still an iciness when she looks at him, but it’s thawed somewhat. I’m glad to see it. I just want Emilia to see what I see in Leo. It’s taken me a little bit of time to get here, but I’m so glad I got to this point. Now, things between Leo and me are better than ever.
“I can’t believe Antonio’s birthday is today,” Emilia says, changing the topic. “I wanted to be there for it, but with the baby …” She nods at her stomach. “It would have been too hard.”
“I get it,” I say. “He probably won’t even miss me. He’s eighteen now. It’s crazy to believe.”
“I know. Our little brother, all grown up. Soon, he’ll be taking over, and Franco will have to step down. It’s Antonio’s rightful place to take after our dad. He’s wearing Dad’s pendant, after all.” She turns to Marco. “You should help him get settled after the baby comes. I’m sure he’d appreciate the advice on how to be a leader.”
“Gladly,” Marco says.
“How soon will he take over?” I ask.
“Hopefully, soon,” Emilia says, taking a sip of her water. “I want Franco out of that house and away from our mom.” The memory of Franco hitting Mom flashes through my head again. I need to tell Emilia what I saw.
I open my mouth to speak when the doorbell rings. Marco frowns as Hannah walks by to answer the door.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” he says.
We all turn to see who it is as Hannah comes into the room followed by Henry.
“Henry, what are you doing here?” Marco asks.
“Yeah, Henry, whatareyou doing here?” Leo crosses his arms, sending daggers with his eyes toward Henry.
“She needs to know the truth,” Henry states. “If you’re going to call it off, then I have a right to intervene.”
“Henry,” Leo growls, standing up and slowly approaching him. “I’d think before you say anything more.”
“What’s he talking about?” Emilia asks. “What truth?”
“Leo made a bet with me to take Francesca’s virginity.”
The entire room goes silent.
Then, Leo slams his fist into Henry’s face, knocking him backwards. “Shit,” Marco mutters, running over to stop them.
Emilia looks outraged as she stares at Leo, while I … Honestly, I don’t know what my face looks like. I just feel numb.
“Stop this,” Marco growls, pulling Leo away from Henry. “What’s going on? What are you talking about? What bet?”
“It’s just as I said. Leo and I made a bet he’d seduce Francesca, and then in turn, he’d get my car. If he didn’t succeed, I’d get his job.”
Leo looks dejected as he stumbles away from Henry. “Fran …” He reaches out his hand to me, but I back away. Emilia comes over to me, standing in front of me and protecting me from Leo.
Marco turns to Leo. “Really? You just had to, didn’t you?”
“I regretted it,” Leo says, a fire in his eyes. “I … I didn’t know I’d end up married to Fran. I didn’t know I’d end up falling …” He turns to me. “Please, let me explain.”
“I think you’ve done enough,” Emilia says. “You’re disgusting. So, that’s why you were in Fran’s room that night. You were trying to win your bet, but you got caught and had to marry her instead. Talk about karma. I don’t want you anywhere near my sister ever again.”
“Fran, please,” Leo begs. “Let’s just talk, ok? I can explain.”
“Explain what?” I ask, stepping around my sister, even though Emilia looks like she wants to object.
“Explain that I changed. I told Henry it was over. That I wasn’t going to do the bet any longer. I regretted it. I felt guilty. You have to believe me, Fran.”
