Chapter 16 Papa's Decision
SANCIA
“After what happened earlier today, I've made the decision that you'll be marrying Lorenzo Marchetti in place of your sister in three weeks. You're not to argue with me because I have no patience or interest in listening to anything you have to say.
Next week, the Capo will be here to finalize your engagement. If there's anything you need in the meantime for preparation, talk to your mother. I will have her see to it,” Papa's voice hit me like a hailstorm.
His face was hard as he tilted his head for me to leave. I started walking on autopilot, too stunned to know how to feel.
“And Sancia, do not waste your time on foolishness. Nothing you do will change my mind or stop this wedding.”
Those had been Papa's last words before Uncle Romero led me out on shaky legs that were suddenly so heavy. How could Papa utter those words so easily, as though I were nothing and my life meant nothing?
How could he make a big decision like marriage as though it were something so simple? It was so unlike the man who had loved me despite his flaws, so unlike the man everyone had attested favored me, that I found it hard to believe, despite his voice reverberating in my head.
I was still in shock when I walked out of his office, feeling like I was in a horrible dream and would wake at any time to realize Papa didn't sentence me to marry the ruthless Capo of the Marchetti Famiglia.
The man who was supposed to get engaged to my sister mere hours ago, the devil that scared the daylight out of me.
I had ignored Papa's warning and gone to see him that very day, three hours later, after I'd snapped out of the shock and had thought about it. There's no way in hell am I accepting this without even trying.
He was at the dining table with the rest of my family when I started begging him desperately to take back his words. I reminded him that I was engaged to Antonio and that I loved Antonio.
“Get her out of here and lock her in her room!” Papa had yelled at me so loudly and angrily; Uncle Romero had feared the worst and had dragged me out and done exactly what Papa had ordered. I didn't cry, I was too shocked to. I feel like my entire life was upended.
Mama, Isabella, and the others had all wanted to approach me, probably so they could comfort me. But they couldn't for fear of Papa's reprisal. No one had dared approach Papa after hearing him angrily yell at me.
For if he could do that to me, me being the metaphorical apple of his eyes. Then who are they to escape from his wrath?
Fortunately, I didn't want to listen to either of them; I wanted to be alone and think of how everything had suddenly gone awry.
For the next couple of days, I was alone and miserable. I felt like my heart was burning with rage and hate so strong I didn't know how to handle it.
I couldn't shed a single tear. I kept thinking about how to get the words to Antonio and what we were going to do about this situation.
I know Antonio would call me the instant he found out that our engagement was broken. But the sad thing is, Papa's has ordered Uncle Romero to confiscate my phone.
I hated Lorenzo more than anything for coming into my life and destroying everything.
The following days were a whirlwind of activities as Mama, Aunt Francesca, Isabella, and even Aunt Lorena busied themselves with plans for the impending engagement, which was a couple of days away.
It's like they didn't see how utterly wretched I was; I know Papa must have warned severely, but even so, how could Mama not see how sad I was? Why won't she be there for me as she was for Isabella?
The only ones who were always checking up on me were Tina and Isabella as I huddled in the room, curled in the bed, and completely ignored everyone and everything happening around me.
I've always known my freedom was very limited, but living in my room for three days without going out was driving me crazy. I feel like a caged bird trapped and helpless. Waiting for my impending marriage to Lorenzo.
I was in that state on the fourth day after Lorenzo Marchetti came into my life. Curl in my bed in the dark. I realized it was late, and I wasn't sure how late. The dinner brought to me was still on the tray at the bedside table.
I hadn't touched it, I'd barely eaten much these days, and I didn't have the appetite. Though Papa had rescinded his order to have me locked in my room, I hadn't tried to leave it.
Where would I go? There are Papa's men at every corner of the house.
I had been imagining that somehow I had managed to get out of the house when Tina sneaked into my room, calling my name softly; she didn't switch on the lights, though she knew where the switch was, and her voice was low, which meant she didn't want anyone else to know she was here.
As always, I made no move or gave any signs that I was awake, as I had no interest in talking to her or anyone else.
Somehow, Tina must have known I was still awake because she walked closer, stretching her hands out like she was blind.
Unlike her, I've been in the dark for a long time, and I could see everything. Her hands made contact with my stomach, and then she reached upward and touched my face.
“Sancia, Sancia, are you awake?” Tina whispered, sitting at the edge of my bed. I ignored her that was
“It's Antonio,” she said, stretching her other hand towards me. It took me a few seconds to realize what she just said.
“Antonio?” I yelled loudly, scrambling up so fast I almost hit my bedside table. Tina quickly slapped her hand over my mouth.
“Shhhh, quiet, do you want to get me whipped by your Papa? Keep your voice down, will you? Nobody knows I'm here.” I nodded vigorously before she took her hand away and handed me the phone. She walked to the door and stood there.
“Sancia?” Antonio's voice echoed inside my ear, and a huge sense of relief hit me. And for the first time, I feel tears stream down my face.