Chapter 95 Chapter Ninety-five
Chapter 95 Chapter Ninety-five
Elena's POV
"Don't you love her?" My eyes snapped to Carson, waiting for him to say something, but before Carson could answer, my father's voice cut through the room.
"No, he doesn't." And every head turned toward him immediately when he said that, and Carson's mouth fell open.
"Brother..." Father didn't even let him finish.
"Shut up." Father cut him off while Grandpa Moretti raised an amused eyebrow. "Dad, why are you looking at me like that?" Grandpa shrugged.
"Just wondering how you know your brother is not in love with the young lady?" Father folded his arms across his chest.
"It's simple: Shannon isn't ready for love, and I know my brother is a Playboy; he is not ready for love as well," Father said it too casually, but somehow his words made me narrow my eyes at him because how exactly did he know that? He was sounding like a jealous boyfriend. I glanced at my dad; the way his brows furrowed slightly showed he was irritated with the conversation. A small smile tugged at my lips; perhaps he was in love with her.
"How did you know?" Grandpa asked, "Did the young lady tell you that?" I shook my head. I knew Grandpa was as naughty as Grandma. I wondered how he turned out to be a mafia; he was a jolly good fellow. My dad seemed to be the only serious one in the family.
"Case closed," father declared suddenly, then turned to Carson, "and you, don't let whatever mother said get into your head." Carson frowned; father didn't seem to give his little brother space. "Because you and I know you don't do love." The room fell silent while Carson threw both his hands up in surrender.
"Easy, bro," Father glared at him. "Shannon is not a baby; she can get married if she wants." Father's expression darkened
"She is still a baby," Father countered. I almost laughed.
"She is not; she is twenty-three..."
"Shut up, Carson, and I don't want to hear this conversation again." He cut Carson off; his tone was final, leaving no room for Carson to argue. I shook my head, not understanding my father sometimes. Sometimes, I could feel he loved Shannon more than just the little girl he had brought home, but most times, his actions left me confused, because if he did, he wouldn’t bring Amara here; he wouldn't be having an affair with Amara. Grandpa parted his lips to say something when we heard the sound of footsteps, we all turned toward the staircase.
"Shannon," I called. Shannon rushed downstairs the second she saw me; her face lit up.
"What are you doing here?"
"Didn't you miss me?" I pouted dramatically while Shannon laughed before rushing into my arms.
"Of course, I missed you!" I hugged her tightly.
"I missed you too."
"Then why didn't you come earlier?"
"I was busy."
"Doing what?"
"Being miserable." She pulled away.
"But you didn't seem like that." My brows furrowed. "Carson told me you went to a party," my eyes bulged as she leaned in, then whispered, "with Nikolai, the handsome mafia." My eyes bulged. "I can't wait to hear everything." She winked at me while we both laughed; somehow, talking about Nikolai brought joy to my heart even though he is a coward.
"Ahem," Grandma Katy cleared her throat suddenly. "Shannon," Shannon turned to Grandma, "I thought you said you loved my company more than this little one?"
"Shannon?" I fake annoyance while Shannon's eyes widen before she covers her face.
"Grandma! I thought it was our little secret." Everyone laughed.
"Yes, but now Elena is here; you are letting her feel like you love her more than me." Grandma pouted, and Shannon quickly escaped my arms and hurried toward Katy; she threw her arms around her shoulders and hugged her tightly.
"Of course, I love you more."
"Hmm!" Grandma pretended to be offended.
"Of course, you are the only one in my heart," Shannon whispered and then winked at me.
"You are better," Grandma muttered while I smiled, watching them together warmed something inside me, because even though Shannon is not related to them by blood, they love her the same way they love me. Suddenly, my gaze dropped to her arm, a white bandage wrapped around Shannon's hand, my smile disappeared. "What happened to your hand?" My father's voice came at exactly the same time, and Shannon froze; she slowly pulled away from Grandma and looked between Father and me.
"It's not."
"It doesn't seem so," Father said, crossing the room with two big strides, and I could already feel Amara's annoyance.
"It's just a small injury."
"How did you end up with it?" She opened her lips to say something, but before a single word could come out, the front door opened, and every conversation stopped. I turned slowly to see the intruders, only to see him walk into the mansion with his family. My heart sank immediately when I set eyes on him. My eyes moved; beside him was his mother, Sarah Rossetti. She was back. I wondered when she returned because I had just left their mansion; she wasn't there, and his father was with them. Clarissa was the first person to approach her.
"Sarah!" The two women embraced warmly. I wondered how they became friends. I barely know much about this woman who calls herself my mother, but I know enough to tell that she is not the same age as Sarah, so how could they be friends? "Look at you," Clarissa laughed, "still as beautiful as ever." Sarah smiled,
"And you haven't changed one bit, still that Stubborn little girl." Clarissa giggled, throwing herself at Sarah again while they were exchanging pleasantries. Uncle Rossetti walked to Grandpa and Grandma, acknowledging them first before moving to father and Amara. I stood silently, not ready to approach Rafael when his gaze met mine. His face brightened, but mine didn't, and I immediately turned away. I didn't want him anywhere near me.
"Elena!" Father's voice stopped me. I closed my eyes; I knew he noticed my coldness toward Rafael. "Aren't you going to greet your fiancé?" I forced myself to turn to him, but my face felt stiff from the smile I forced on it.
"Hi!" He smiled.
"Hi, love!" At the mention of that word, my stomach dropped, and I hated to hear it. He shouldn't call me that because I am not Arabella; I am not his love.
"Don't be too formal, Rafael. I actually left your place this morning." Father's eyes moved between us when I said that.
"I know but,"
"I am tired; I need to rest," I said, not interested in his words. Father narrowed his gaze at me then nodded
"All right." He turned toward everyone. "Enough standing around." he looked at me. "Elena, go freshen up and come downstairs." I nodded without saying another word to Father or Rafael. I reached for Shannon's hand.
"Come with me."
"Why?" She teased; I glared at her.
"Because I missed you." She smiled when I said that, then wrapped her hand around me before pulling me. Carson looked at us, then back to my suitcase.
"I will just bring this upstairs." I blew a kiss to him.
"You are the best." I mouthed it, not looking at Rafael even for a second, even when he was looking at me.
After changing into something comfortable, Shannon and I returned. The atmosphere had completely changed; the dining table was filled with food, family members were gathered around it, laughing and talking with a few close friends who had arrived as well, turning the family gathering into a full celebration. Grandpa always organized a gathering like this on the first day of the year, but it was mostly with family; this was different. We had a few guests, and it made me wonder what the old man was up to. The guests were already eating when we joined them. I sat between Shannon and Grandma Katy, doing everything possible to keep Rafael from getting too close. Unfortunately, that became increasingly difficult. Every time I looked up, I caught him staring at me. Every time he tried to approach, I found an excuse to move. Then suddenly my phone pinged. I grabbed it only to see it was Rafael. My eyes went to him; he gestured for me to read. I knew what he was about to say. So instead of avoiding him, I stood up. "Where are you going?" Shannon asked.
"Don't worry, I just need to speak with him." I pointed at Rafael, who was already standing. Shannon looked at me. I nodded to her; I had told Shannon everything, and she had told me to talk it out with Rafael. The moment we got out of the party and walked onto the balcony, I stared at the sky.
"Elena," Rafael called I turned to him. "You forgot your ring." My gaze moved to the diamond that he held between his fingers, then back to him.
"I didn't forget it." His brows furrowed; he parted his lips to speak, but before he could do that, my voice came up. "Let's call off the engagement."