Chapter 2

No matter how mad and disappointed I was, I still needed food in my system, so when I went down during lunch time to get myself something to eat, I stumbled on my parents and Melinda talking at the dinner table, unaware that I stood behind them — or maybe they knew I was standing there and simply did not care enough to spare me their disgusting and useless words.

“Father, why did you ask sister to sign the contract? We could have explained to Luciano that I am engaged.”

Melinda’s voice was faint and innocent. Innocent as the devil could be, because the last word I would use to describe her was just that. How could they — a small and insignificant family that had gained some wealth only a couple of years ago — call and tell Luciano that they could not give their daughter to him?

As usual, everything she said and did just showed how low her brain actually worked.

“Darling, you do not call Luciano to explain things to him. Plus, I already paid her enough money to last her a lifetime, so don’t worry about her,” my father said as if he found her stupidity adorable.

Men and their ego.

“Did sister ask for money? How could she do that? She is also a part of this family — if I had not been engaged to Adrian, I would have sacrificed myself for this family.” A loud gasp escaped her as she covered her mouth with her hands, as if she had said something that could ruin the world.

“I did not mean to say sister only cares about money and not us, Father. I am sure she had her own reasonings.”

Oh, please spare me the acting. That is exactly what you meant.

Before my father could say anything, I entered the kitchen in my pajamas, not bothering to greet them as I walked into the kitchen. So what if I loved money? Money had given me a reason to love it — what had they given me other than disgust?

“Marta, what did you cook today? I am so hungry!” I said with a loud and excited voice as I entered the kitchen, embracing the old woman who was standing above the stove.

Marta had been our cook since I could remember. She was also the only person in this house who never ignored my existence the moment Melinda came into the picture. She would bake her cookies, make her favorite food, and talk with her all night long. She was the closest thing I had to a mother.

“I made you your favorite tomato soup and garlic bread. Sit down and eat,” Marta said as she pulled out a chair for me to sit and eat the food she had already prepared on the kitchen table.

“Marta, can I marry you? I promise to treat you better than Uncle Will.” The old woman slapped my head lightly as she let out a hearty laugh.

Uncle Will was the family driver and Marta’s husband. I had spent most of my time with the two of them — so much so that they considered me their firstborn daughter. They had a five‑year‑old son that I adored, and who had grown so attached to me that he would cry after me every single time I spent time with him.

“Don’t let your uncle hear you say those words. He might chase you with a pan again.”

Marta pointed a finger at my nose before she slightly poked it with a warm touch that spread warmth across my cold and detached heart.

“Are you flirting with my wife again, you little troublemaker?”

A man’s voice entered my ears as I turned my gaze toward the kitchen entrance. Uncle Will stood there with his tall body leaned against the door, his gentle eyes staring at her with a small glint of jealousy.

“No, Marta was the one who flirted with me!” I said as I pointed my finger accusingly at the woman standing once again by the stove, preparing food for her husband this time.

Uncle Will shook his head, ignoring my accusation as he planted a kiss on Marta’s forehead with a gentle “thank you” before he took his food and sat across from her at the kitchen table.

I thought once again about the contract I had signed. Once the money hit my account, I would have to meet Luciano and prepare for the wedding. I doubted I would have much say in the wedding — he had asked for Melinda, so the wedding would be done in a way she would marvel at. This whole thing did not have a shred of my personality in it. From the dress to the wedding — everything was hers.

These people were my family. Maybe not blood‑related family, but they were family to me.

I would not leave them behind. I refused to give up the little warmth this world had granted me. Fate has never been on my side; everything I possessed and earned, I have had to fight to the end to get it.

Except them. Fate gave them to me to compensate for everything he had stripped from me.

“Uncle Will, if I decide to leave this place and get married, would you guys go with me?” The words had left my mouth before I could stop them.

My words sent a heavy tension into the air, causing both of them to stop what they were doing and turn their gazes toward me. Uncle Will’s gentle gaze met mine as a soft smile spread across his face.

“Of course we would, as long as you don’t dislike us, troublemaker.”

Marta nodded as she placed a hand on her heart, wiping away the tears in her eyes. They had heard about the contract, I thought to myself, pushing away the tears that formed in my own eyes.

I would be fine. I have always been and will always be fine as long as I am alive and well.