I smile politely over the rim of the mug. “Of course,” I drawl before taking a sip of the hot liquid.
“You’ll be the most exquisite bride, Miss. I can’t wait to see the photos,” she continues to gush as she moves on to fluffing the cushions on the loveseat across from where I sit.
It’s eleven-thirty a.m. and we just finished our intimate family brunch. Mother thought it’d be nice to have one last meal as just our family, and August opted to do the same with his. Sitting around the dining table, just me, my parents, and my three brothers, made it easy to pretend like everything was normal.
For a moment, I was able to retreat to the memory of when family brunch was exactly that—a simple meal between the six of us.
Even Joseph seemed to be in good spirits today, which put me on edge slightly. It feels like he has the upper hand in some capacity, and that makes me uneasy.
After brunch, Mother sent me to relax for a while and asked one of the kitchen attendants to make a latte for me while the housekeepers set up our spa treatments.
My mother hired a manicurist and massage therapist to treat me and her before I leave to go get ready with Raina and Cecilia in a few hours. I want to get ready at my apartment, but my mother insisted on booking a suite at The Manhattan Grand hotel, just down the road from the church.
Next to me on the plush, velvet couch lies a full itinerary of the day on embossed paper. I can’t take my eyes off the wordswedding ceremony.
This is actually happening.
The day is here.
Excitement buzzes throughout the Paladino residence. Staff members are extra cheerful as they go through their daily tasks, watching my mother dance around with a smile on her face.
Looking at her these days breaks my heart—shatters it, really.
How can she not see the pain on my face and the hurt in my eyes?
She’s been so hyper focused on this wedding, engrossed in every detail.
I love my mother, but I pray if I have children one day that the gravity of her mistakes will be so ingrained into me there won’t be a shadow of a doubt that I would miss something so blatantly outlined on my child’s face.
Although I can’t fully blame her. I am fully aware I have the power to speak up—to protect myself better and to put an end to this—and I’m choosing not to.
Still, it doesn’t dull the ache of knowing my mother either doesn’t see it, or is purposely ignoring it.
“Out,” Joseph's voice commands suddenly, and I whip my head in his direction just in time to see Marcia straighten herself and scurry from the room.
Joseph closes the French doors behind him and strides over to the fireplace, picking up a photo of the two of us when we were children. He scoffs at it before setting it back down and pinning me in his stare. “Ready to become Mrs. St. Jean?”
He doesn’t try to hide the smirk on his lips.
“No need to hide your glee, Joey. I’m sure you’re getting something out of this union, I just haven’t figured out what.”
He sits on the loveseat across from me. Leaning forward on his thighs, he steeples his fingers over his mouth. “I’m getting a lot out of it, actually.”
“Care to elaborate?”
Sitting back, he drapes his arm over the cushion behind him. “Well, for starters, it eliminates the cross-contamination. Did you honestly think you could fuck a Lucchetti and keep it a secret?”
My heart falls to the bottom of my stomach, along with my expression. I suspected August told him, but he has yet to bring it up until now. Hearing him confirm he knew about my relationship makes me ill.
Schooling my features, I tighten my lips into a line and watch him closely, waiting to hear what he has to say next.
“You’re not asslyas you think you are, baby sister. Pun intended. At least you didn’t pick that pathetic excuse for a man, Lorenzo.” His features twist up at the mention of Sly’s cousin. “Still though, not like the other one is any better. Way to be a loyal member of this family.”
“You don’t know him at all,” I seethe. Pushing to my feet, I stand, my shins hitting the coffee table as I take a step toward him. My finger raises, pointing at him. “What about our familyloyalty, Joseph? Youhateme and you don’t even have the human decency to tell mewhy.”
Not wanting me to have the upper hand, he stands too, taking a step forward. Although my brother is a full head taller than me, I find myself not cowering.
It feels good to grasp a little of my power back.
