Union Of Death (Secrets of The Famiglia Part 2)

Deno leaves the library and I take a moment to admire the place, the long bookshelves, the thousands of books, the brown ladder that is polished, looking brand new and not withered by the signs of time. My fingers touch the leather couch, as I scour the area, wondering what it was like to be her, Bernice Antonella DeMarco.

My eyes stop at the portrait and I stare at her, black eyes, hair pinned up with loose curls hanging from the side. Her face is painted like it was porcelain, her dress flashy and her lips stained red. I am not sure how long I stand here, admiring or critiquing the artist's impression of the woman who remained in these walls since the day she died, but I sense a connection to her.

A need to belong, and to Elladio she did, whether she was the love of his life or the prisoner in his Manor.

“Leonardo, Fillipo, and Deno are leaving tonight.” My sister's voice cracks through my haze.

“Judging by the yelling we heard, I’m not surprised.” I finally turn to see my sister, looking sad. I frown, “Is everything good with you? Leonardo is not going forever Guilia.”

“You and him should have been together, not me. I am not the strong-willed woman he thinks I am, but you are, and when you around it feels so awkward knowing that you wanted him for so long.” She looks at the portrait wiping away a tear and I have nothing that is going to make her feel better.

“You are not playing fair Guilia, Leonardo and you are getting married, any feelings I had for him are dead. I don’t want you to hide your feelings for him when I am around. I want to know that the two of you are happy. We spoke about this last night, I thought we were over it.”

for the first time, I see the damage my silence has

cold fingers, and hold them in my own, stepping closer to her, “It

when he looks

likes me and thinks I’m beautiful as he said so many times before but he still looks at other women when he thinks I

gaze, that is begging me to tell her different. I should, I could. I’m certain I can find the perfect words to convince her

be faithful but like Bernice maybe they can make it work. It isn’t like they have a choice. An arranged marriage in the Mafia is until

luxury, unreciprocated or not. Once you are married you will have babies, and those babies will be the love of your life. At least you love him. Imagine having sex with a guy you don’t love, or with a big belly,” I smile as she laughs.

my hands leave

are getting all cozy,” Camilla walks in with a glass of wine in her hand. She seems a bit off,

you want my opinion, you should cut your losses and accept that Leonardo would never love you, you are a shiny new toy, meant to stay on a shelf and get dusted every once in a while. Trust me. He has had more