The door opens and my father steps inside, looking furious. “What the hell is going on? It doesn’t look like you two resolved anything from the look of things.”
“Your daughter is being defiant and difficult when all I did was offer to help her.”
“Is this true, Trisha?”
“I can’t marry him, Dad. I don’t love him,”
“She thinks she’s in love with Connor Mennetti,” he says, ratting me out.
I send another glare his way.
“And that’s not all,” Antonio says maliciously and my stomach sinks.
Oh, no. He wouldn’t dare tell my dad about the baby. Would he?
“She’s pregnant with Mennetti’s bastard.”
Shit. My father looks at me like he’s never seen me before and it hurts more than I thought it would.
“Is this true, Trisha?” he asks between gritted teeth.
Fear for Connor prevents me from answering. I can’t let my dad know the truth or he’s going to kill Connor. I know it. “No,” I lie.
“Which one of you is lying to me?”
I know I have to come clean, but I’m terrified my father is going to take his wrath out on Connor. “Dad, I need you to listen to me. For once, please just listen.”
A muscle flexes in his cheek. “Go ahead.” His nostrils flare and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so angry.
Now that I have his full attention, I’m terrified. But it’s time to lay my cards on the table. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I’m in love with Connor Mennetti and he’s a good man. And, yes, I am expecting his baby.”
I wait for the rage and screaming to start, but it doesn’t come. Instead, my father is remarkably stone-faced and silent for a minute too long. His response makes me even more nervous than if he started yelling and screaming. My nerves start to fray, quickly beginning to unravel. I’d rather have him carrying on in a rage and blasting out orders than staring at me with such eerie calmness.
“I offered to raise the bastard as my own,” Antonio says.
I bite back a retort and, instead, focus on my dad. A vein pulses in his forehead, and I’ve never seen him quite like this before.
Without words.
I know it’s the calm before the storm and I brace myself.
“Thank you, Antonio,” he begins, voice like steel. “I’m sure that’s not an easy thing to offer. And if my daughter is smart, she will accept.”
“What?” My mouth drops open.
“What other choice do you have, Trish?” he asks nastily. “You’re not leaving here and raising a child by yourself in some shitty, one-bedroom apartment in the city. I forbid it. What kind of life is that? And there’s no way in fucking hell you are going back to Connor Mennetti. I already warned you how that will end.”
“Dad…” My voice trails off pathetically. “Why’re you doing this?”
“Why am I doing this?” he sputters and throws his hands up. “What? Protecting you from a future of poverty? Trying to give you a husband and security? Keeping you away from the enemy who wants us all dead?”
“That’s not true,” I whisper brokenly. “Connor loves me and I love – ”
“STOP!” he roars, face turning a deep crimson. “This conversation is over. I’m calling the priest and having him come over immediately. You will marry Antonio and forget about fucking Connor Mennetti. Do you understand me?”
Tears prick my eyes and I shake my head. “I can’t.”
“Well, you have less than an hour to figure it out,” he informs me, glancing down at his watch. “I’m done with all of this nonsense. You will become Mrs. Antonio Dombruso and you’re lucky Antonio is gracious enough to claim the bastard as his own. Be grateful Trish.”
“No!” I cross my arms and tilt my chin up, striving to stand up to my father one last time and be brave. “I can’t marry him.”
“Then Connor will die,” my father states without emotion. Frustration and anger are tearing me apart and the tears slide down my cheeks in twin rivers.
“Don’t you dare touch him,” I snarl.
“Then do as you’re told.” He turns and walks back to the door but before he leaves, he says one final thing. “If you don’t obey me, know one thing for certain – Connor’s days on this Earth are numbered and he won’t die quickly. His death will be brutal and drawn-out. And you can live with that guilt for the rest of your life.”
A sob tears from my throat, and I drop to the carpet, burying my face in my hands and crying my eyes out.
“Wash your face and make yourself decent for the ceremony,” Antonio tells me.
Lifting my head, I send him a death-glare. Then I grab the nearest thing within my reach, a mug that I pluck off my nightstand, and throw at him. He easily dodges it.
“Don’t forget to wear your ring,” he reminds me.
I scream in frustration as Antonio walks out, shutting the door behind him. How is this happening to me? Where is my mom and why doesn’t she stick up for me? And where is Gio and Solana? Why is everyone so scared to go against what my father says? Why don’t they help me?
I’ve never felt so alone and desolate in my life.
Without any support, I curl up on the floor, drawing my knees to my chest, and cry. I know that I have no options left, but that doesn’t make this any easier. I have to marry Antonio, or my father will have Connor killed.
The only man I’ve ever loved.
And I can’t let that happen. I will protect Connor with my very last breath.
Sitting up, I pull in a deep, very shaky breath and know that it’s time to step up and make sure Connor and our baby remain safe.
That is my priority, and I can’t waiver from it. My future with Antonio may be dismal, but if it allows the man I love and our unborn child to live then so be it.
I will bite the bullet.
For them, I will sacrifice anything.