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I swallow the nervous lump in my throat.
“As long as Enrico is happy, I am happy.” She eventually sighs.
“But you would rather he was marrying someone else…” Her eyes drop to the kitchen counter. “You want him to marry an Italian?”
“Yes,” she replies with no emotion.
“Me, too.”
She frowns up at me.
“I wish we didn’t fall in love,” I reply sadly. “Because then I wouldn’t have to choose between my family, my country, and the man that I love.”
Her eyes search mine.
“It’s not ideal.” I sip the caffeinated poison. “I know that I have to give everything up to live here if I want to be with Enrico. He’s made it very clear that he will never leave Italy.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
I shrug. “I don’t have a choice.”
We sit in silence for a while before she eventually speaks. “I just wanted my grandchildren to be …”
“Italian?” I answer for her.
She nods sadly.
“Bianca, I know I’m not Italian, and I know I’m not your choice of a daughter-in-law, but, I need you.”
Her eyes hold mine.
“You and Francesca will be the only family I will have. I have to leave mine to become a Ferrara.” Emotion suddenly overwhelms me at the prospect of
leaving my family forever, and my eyes fill with tears. “Believe me, I would not choose to leave my country for love, but love chose me, and I have to make the most of it. We can’t live without each other. We tried, and it didn’t work.”
Her shoulders slump. “It’s nothing personal, Olivia.”
“I know. I wouldn’t want my Italian son to marry an Australian who can’t cook either.”
Her mouth falls open in surprise. “You can’t even cook?”
The look of sheer horror on her face makes me smile. “Nope. Not really.”
She pinches the bridge of her nose, and I bite my bottom lip to stop myself from laughing out loud.
“Dear God, Olivia, you will be the very death of me.” She huffs.
“It’s not all bad. I’m willing to learn. I’m learning your language and doing all I can…” I search for the right words. “I’ll do anything to make Enrico happy. I’m trying really hard, but you need to try too. This isn’t ideal, I know that, but we have to make it work between us… for him.”
Her eyes hold mine. “You’re going to be late for work.”
She’s dismissing me. “Oh.” I drag myself off the chair and go to the sink to wash my cup. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome.”
“See you later then.” I sigh sadly.
She stays silent.
