Chapter 45: You fucker!!!

I don’t know what I expect when I open the door to the room.

What I don’t expect is for both of them to look at me like they already know something happened.

Olivia is sitting on the edge of the bed while Nathaniel is standing beside the window, his arms folded across his chest.

The moment I step inside, Olivia’s eyes search my face.

"What did Uncle say?"

I take a breath.

"You don’t have to worry about anything anymore."

Her eyebrows pull together.

"What?"

I walk closer.

"I’m marrying Lysander."

Silence.

Complete, absolute silence.

Olivia stares at me.

Nathaniel’s arms slowly fall from his chest.

"What?"

Olivia’s voice is barely above a whisper.

I sit beside her.

"I’m marrying Lysander Oli."

"No."

She immediately shakes her head.

"No, Ris. No."

"Olivia."

"I can’t let you do that."

"You don’t get to decide that."

Her eyes fill with tears.

"But you’re my sister."

"And you’re mine."

I take her hands.

"The wedding will be private. Just family. Nobody outside the people who need to know will find out."

She looks at me helplessly.

"What about my marriage?"

"Everyone will still think you’re married to Lysander."

Her face crumples.

"This is my fault."

"No."

"It is."

"Olivia, stop."

"I’ve ruined everything."

"You haven’t ruined anything."

I squeeze her hands.

"You fell in love. That’s all."

"But you’re paying for it."

I stare at her.

"I’m not paying for anything."

I need her to understand that. This isn’t some punishment being handed to me.

I made the decision, I walked into that room, looked Lysander in the eyes and I asked him to marry me.

Nobody forced those words out of my mouth.

"I chose this." ℴℴ𝘮

Olivia shakes her head.

"You shouldn’t have."

"Maybe."

I shrug.

"But I did."

She starts crying as I pull her into my arms.

"You’re my sister. I’m not letting you lose your baby or Nathaniel because of something you did for love. The one thing that you choose for yourself."

Her arms tighten around me and neither of us says anything for a while.

Then Nathaniel speaks.

"You shouldn’t have done this."

I look over Olivia’s shoulder.

He’s staring at me, there is no gratitude in his expression.

Only concern.

"What?"

"You shouldn’t have offered yourself."

I pull away from Olivia.

"Why?"

"Because you don’t know what you’re walking into."

I fold my arms.

"I know exactly what I’m walking into."

"No, you don’t."

Nathaniel steps closer.

"You’re a Luciano walking into the Sanchez family."

"I know."

"You’ll be their Don’s wife."

"I know that already."

"You’ll become leverage."

I say nothing.

"You could become a hostage."

My jaw tightens.

"If the truth comes out, you could be killed."

I hold his gaze.

"I’m aware."

"Then why?"

I look at Olivia.

She is watching me through tear-filled eyes.

My answer comes easily.

"Because she’s worth it."

Nathaniel goes quiet as Olivia starts crying again.

I roll my eyes.

"Don’t start. I already have enough people crying around me."

That earns a tiny laugh from Olivia and somehow, that’s enough. Enough to make me believe I’ve done the right thing, even if I’m terrified, even if I have no idea what the next seven days are going to look like.

I would still do it again though.

For her.

—————

The next morning, I wake up with the worst headache imaginable so I just lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling.

"Fuck.

Eventually, hunger wins. I drag myself out of bed, throw on the first comfortable clothes I can find, tie my hair up messily and head downstairs.

All I want is coffee.

Coffee and maybe enough peace to pretend my life isn’t currently a disaster.

But as I approach the kitchen, I hear voices.

They’re coming from the tea room, that room is hardly ever used.

Which means whoever is inside probably isn’t expecting anyone.

And because I’m nosey...I walk closer.

I stop beside the door and listen.

"And what happens when y’all start popping babies?"

I recognize the voice immediately.

Jeremiah.

I roll my eyes what is he doing here so early.

"And then what?"

There is a brief silence before Lysander answers.

"Is that seriously what you’re worried about?"

I lean closer to hear Jeremiah scoffs.

"I’m just asking."

"Oh, please."

Lysander sounds completely unimpressed.

"That won’t be happening because I won’t be fucking her."

I blink.

Excuse me?

"She’s clearly not my type."

I stare at the door.

I’m not his type? Like he’s my type.

Please.

Who does this man think he is?

I push the door open which has both men turning toward me.

I’m already smiling but it’s not a nice smile.

"I’m glad we are on the same page."

Jeremiah’s expression changes immediately to hate.

Right back at you mister.

I continue.

"Because I won’t want your shrieking little dick anywhere around me."

Jeremiah’s face twists.

"And you’re most definitely not my type too."

Jeremiah looks at me then at his brother, then back at me.

His jaw clenches.

"Fuck."

He pins his brother with a look, mutters something under his breath and walks past me.

As he leaves, his shoulder bumps mine hard, I don’t give him the satisfaction of thinking it hurt me.

So I don’t move...Neither does he, we stare at each other then he passes besides me and walks out.

Leaving me alone with Lysander.

Great.

Just fucking great.

Lysander slowly approaches me, until he’s standing right in front of me.

I have to tilt my head slightly to look up at him.

He is irritatingly tall.

"You know," he says, "it’s not becoming of a lady to eavesdrop."

I snort.

"Like I care about all that."

His eyebrow rises and I cross my arms.

"What are you still doing here? Thought you said I’ll see you in a week."

"I realized it might look odd if I go home without my wife."

I blink.

"Your wife?"

He looks directly into my eyes.

"Yes."

My stomach does something weird but I immediately ignore it.

"We aren’t married yet."

"Technically."

"Then leave you can’t stay here ."

"Your uncle thinks differently about that."

Of course he does.

Lysander turns toward the door and I watch him walk away.

He’s almost there when he suddenly stops and looks over his shoulder.

"Oh, and Nerissa?"

"What?"

He looks me up and down.

"Maybe you should brush your teeth before talking to me next time?"

My eyes widen as he makes a show of waving his hand in front of his nose, like something smells terrible.

My entire body goes hot and i suddenly want to disappear, I want the floor to open up and swallow me.

I want to punch him.

Again and again.

"It’s just morning breath, you fucker!"

But he is already walking out.

I glare at the doorway, my cheeks are burning and my dignity is dead.

Completely dead.