Chapter 3

The doorbell rang.

I put the dishes in the drying rack, wiped the tears from the corner of my eye, and went to answer it.

“You have mail that needs a signature.”

It was my diploma.

I suddenly felt lighter. It meant I could leave.

“What came in the mail?”

Leandro's voice came from behind me.

He held an espresso in one hand, with the other in his pocket, and watched the smile on my face.

“My diploma.”

He said, “Oh,” and started to turn away, then remembered something.

“What do you want for graduation? I remember I promised you a gift.”

I froze for a moment. I hadn't expected him to remember.

But I'd never let myself expect one.

After thinking for a few seconds, I suddenly looked up at him.

“Come with me to my physical tomorrow.”

The company had arranged a physical before my assignment in Spain, and my appointment at the clinic was confirmed.

“That's it?”

He looked surprised.

I nodded.

“That's it.”

He gave a casual nod and agreed.

The next afternoon, I packed my purse and stood by the door, waiting for him.

But when Leandro came out, he looked a little resigned.

“Adelia needs to try on her banquet gown. The designer's waiting for her. I'll take her first, then come back and go with you.”

“But my physical is already scheduled.”

“Call the clinic and reschedule. She flies tomorrow, and she still has to check with the jeweler tonight about which jewelry matches her gown.”

I didn't argue any further.

Adelia looked at me, her eyes slowly reddening. She pinched the hem of her skirt and said softly:

“Forget it, then. I can wear an old dress. Leandro, go with Viola.”

Leandro refused without hesitation.

“Don't sulk. You're representing the Roveri family. How can you go without a proper dress?”

Then, as if he realized just how obvious his favoritism was, he turned the question back on me.

“Viola, you don't want her going in the wrong outfit, do you?”

He watched me, waiting for the answer that would make everyone happy.

All at once, I felt exhausted.

They acted as if they were waiting for me to decide.

But everyone knew I could only give the answer they wanted.

I was quiet for a few seconds, then gave a small smile.

“Go with Adelia.”

Leandro let out a relieved breath.

Adelia ran over and kissed my cheek.

“Thank you, Viola.”

“You're welcome.”

I went to the clinic alone and had my physical.

Afterward, I bought a train ticket to Boston for the next day.

When I got home, my sister was showing my parents what she'd bought that day.

Finally, she brought out the clothes she'd bought for them.

My mother gushed, but her smile vanished the moment she noticed me out of the corner of her eye.

“Viola, look at Adelia. Even while ordering her gown, she remembered to pick things out for us. When do you ever think about this family instead of yourself?”

“With what money?”

Adelia used the card on the family's account, the one my mother had given her.

The bills for her gowns, jewelry, and gifts went straight to the butler.

She spent the family's money. My mother knew that, yet she held Adelia's gifts and scolded a daughter who had to apply for money even to pay her tuition.

“Are you blaming me because I wouldn't approve the money you asked for? I make you earn it so you'll learn to work. You're questioning that, too?”

My mother hadn't expected me to talk back. She froze for a moment, then her expression darkened.

“I'm twenty-four. I'm only a year older than Adelia.”

“Enough!”

My father snapped at me.

“Watch your tone. You don't have the right to question the Donna like that in this family.”

Leandro looked at me with a conflicted expression, too.

“Viola, why do you keep upsetting everyone lately?”

As soon as someone took her side, my mother's eyes reddened.

She looked at me, her lips moving, but said nothing more. She just wiped the corner of her eye, turned, and went into her bedroom.

As if I'd hurt her so badly she couldn't even speak.