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“Have you ever stopped to think that you might be playing into this person’s game by running around? He sent one letter and you’re gone for a month!”
“I’ve thought of every scenario, and it’s driving me fucking mad that I can’t figure out who this man is!” He all but yells the words.
“And it’s driving me mad that you’re not here! Did you know that I met Greer when Aimée brought her here to collect her things fromherroom? Did you know that she warned me that the Brotherhood would try to ruin us?” I laugh. “I thought she was just saying that to get under my skin, but now I’m not so sure. The kicker is, I thought the bigger issue was going to be the fact that I’m an heiress.”
He stills. “What?”
“Yes. Some more news you missed because you’ve been gone.”
“Explain what you mean about being an heiress.”
“At the dinner last month, right after you and the other Elite Members took off, the wives were gossiping. They told me that not only was I an heiress, but that you had ruined some kind of deal between Giosuè and Mr. Zhang. I didn’t believe them at first until they showed me proof.”
“Those women don’t know shit.”
“That was my thought until I came home alone and started doing some digging. I think my Nonna set up some kind of trust for me that became mine when I turned twenty-eight. It makes sense, if you think about it. It’s why Giosuè was so willing to marry me and why my father arranged the engagement. Both had something to gain.”
This is the part I’ve dreaded saying, but if I’m laying all my issues on the table, then I have to tell him.
“What I want to know is, did you know that I was an heiress? Clearly the Brotherhood knew.”
“Isa—”
“Answer the question, Alessandro. Did you know? Is that why you married me?”
He’s silent, which breaks my heart because deep down I think I know the truth.
“Please tell me, Alessandro. Please just tell me the truth. You promised you always would…”
My chest is tight and my stomach churns. He has to answer me. If he doesn’t, then I’ll know my worst fears are true.
That he only married me to get my money for the Brotherhood.
22
Alessandro
“You promised you always would…”
I can’t look at her. Not when this is fucking killing me.
“I knew.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Her sweet voice breaks.
I look at her in time to see more tears silently running down her beautiful face.
“I’m a bad man, Isabetta. It’s in my nature.”
“We agreed never to lie to each other.” Her breath hitches. “I would have forgiven you.”
Alarms go off in my head and suddenly this feels final. Like she’s already decided not to love me. And, god, does it hurt.
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t think we should be together.” More tears fall. “I want a divorce.”
“No.”
