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Chapter 1

An Unexpected Surprise

MIA

Thesoftcushionsofmy well-worn sofa had never felt better.

I stretched out my aching joints, listening to the satisfying ‘pop’ as the tension seeped from my bones. Wrapped up in my favorite robe, red wine in hand, I pulled my laptop closer to me and opened my emails.

After almost eleven hours in the office I was ready to sit back, relax, and catch up on some personal admin.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

I stared at the very first email, my eyes narrowed as I opened it.

“Shit.”

Maybe if I stared hard enough, squinted my eyes until the printed words blurred, their meaning would change.

Because there was no way that my visa had been revoked.

I blew out a shaky breath and set my laptop back on my coffee table. Without a second thought, I grabbed my phone and dialed the last number I’d called.

My sister answered on the second ring. “Alô, Mia.”

“I have a huge problem,” I said, barely letting her finish her greeting before the anxiety leapt off my tongue.

“Hello, how are you? I’m good, how are you?” she said sarcastically, and I could picture her examining her nails as she spoke. “Has New York finally taken away your manners, Mia?”

“Sorry, Vitoria, I’m just-” I paused, my chest tightening around my lungs. “How are you? How’s Mom doing?”

“We’re okay, as usual,” she said, but her words had turned soft. “Thanks to you.”

“What about university?” I asked. I sank back into the plush cushions, letting myself forget for just a moment that I was mere days away from being deported.

As much as I missed my family back home, I never imagined I’d be seeing them again like this.

With my tail between my legs.

“Classes are tougher this year, but it’s second year so I’m not surprised.”

“But you’re doing okay?” I pressed, mindlessly reaching for the glass of wine. “And the professors are good, right?”

“I mean, I don’t really have anything else to compare them to, but I like my classes.”

“That’s good,” I said, a small smile on my face. “And you’re still taking English classes?”

“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “Can’t you hear how amazing I sound? Claudio is doing a great job, don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

Getting my little sister into university had been… challenging. I was just a little paranoid about the whole situation. And I had to make sure she learned English.

Even if my mom fought me every step of the way.

“Does Mom know you’re still seeing Claudio for your lessons?” I asked hesitantly. I tried to ignore the email glaring at me from my laptop screen.

“Not really, she thinks we’re dating and figures that’s why I visit him so often.”