The week slipped by faster than I anticipated, and there it was—the royal blue dress, Mother's choice for Dolcezza to wear to the brunch, mocking me from its hanger. Proof that neither I nor my siblings can escape our roles in this family. Its rich, deep hue seemed to absorb the light, contrasting sharply against the room's otherwise muted tones. The fabric shimmered softly under the ambient glow, its texture smooth yet cold to the touch, almost like an omen. I winced, a subtle chill running down my spine at the sight of it. I can hardly imagine how Sofia must feel; it is her engagement brunch after all.
I haven't even seen her since we ran into that man.
Had it been any other family Sofia was marrying into I would be happy for her, she would've finally escaped the threat of our parents and maybe she would have her shot at a somewhat normal life. But it turns out, neither me nor Sofia can have our happy endings.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts, and I knew it was Nonna ready to assist me.
"Come in, Nonna," I called, expecting her entry.
When there's no response, I turn around only to find Carlos feigning hurt.
"I know I'm a minute older than you, but I'm not that old," Carlos says, his voice resonating in my room. His teasing demeanor provided a momentary distraction from my looming concerns.
"Carlos, I wasn't expecting you."
"I know," he says, throwing himself onto my bed.
"I have to get ready, Nonna will—"
"Relax, she won't barge in for another hour," Carlos interjected, quickly changing the mood.
"What? But it's only—" I started, interrupted by Carlos.
"Nope, I set your clock back an hour," he admitted with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
The room was filled with a quiet hum—the distant chime of a clock, the rustle of fabric, the faint scent of lavender wafting from the room's corner where a bouquet sat. It was an atmosphere that mingled curiosity with unease.
"Why?" I questioned.
"I wanted to talk to you about Leonardo Giovanni," he stated, making my heart skip a beat.
Had he found out about my encounter with that monster? Was he going to reprimand me for my reckless behavior, knowing it could complicate things for Sofia?
"What about him?" I asked, striving to maintain a composed facade despite the worry gnawing at me.
"I want you to stay away from that man, I've got a bad feeling about him and you being you–"
Carlos's warning rang through my thoughts, stirring up a mixture of curiosity and worry.
"What do you mean?" I pressed, trying to mask the anxiety in my voice.
"You're too... Val," Carlos hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He's not someone you should get involved with."
"And what of Sofia? She's the one who has to marry the man." I retort, my voice edged with frustration.
YOU ARE READING
Their Dolcezza
Любовные романыIn a treacherous mafia world, Valentina fights to protect her sister from a forced marriage to a ruthless figure, risking family ties and defying dangerous powers to shield her from a perilous fate. As tensions rise and alliances strain, Valentina m...
