he very next second, he regained his composure and said in a low but resolute voice, “Nina, this doesn’t just involve Isobel and me. This arrangement involves both our families.
“After much negotiation, the de Rossis and the de Lucas have come to an agreement. As long as Isobel and I have a baby, it’ll put an end to the feud between our families that has gone on for the past decade. I can’t overturn a decision made by the entire family.”
I stared at him, abruptly feeling as though he were a complete stranger to me.
Dante and I had grown up together. I was the one who’d been by his side from the impoverished streets of Brunville to Manhorne School of Medicine. I thought our love was pure and untainted by other worldly things, and that we belonged to each other.
But in reality, he had never truly stood beside me. He merely considered me a “suitable” fiancee. I was well-mannered, thoughtful, intelligent enough, and never caused trouble for him. I was fit to be the wife of the heir of the de Rossi family.
But the real girl from his childhood wasn’t me.
It was her—the one who used to sneak around playing water guns with him when they were five.
The daughter of his family’s greatest enemy.
The girl from a rival mafia clan, the one he kept hidden deep in his heart, even when their families were at war.
Did he love me?
Maybe.
But when confronted with family, power, loyalty, or Isobel, I would always be the first to be sacrificed.
Dante had more to say, but a call interrupted our conversation. He began heading for the balcony as he answered the call, his voice softening and becoming dulcet.
I couldn’t hear what the caller said, but I could see the gentle smile on his face. It had been ages since I last saw him smiling at me like that.
