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Percy tutted and placed his hands on his waist. “Now, Reg didn’t send you here to meddle. You run along now, or were you supposed to tell me something?”
She eyed him coolly. “Reginald’s waiting for you in his office.”
“Thank you, Constance.” Percy beamed at her and held out his hand. “Well, that’s my cue to go. Lovely to see you again.”
She politely shook his hand.
My stomach churned.
Percy moved to stand in front of me. “I understand you’re upset you’ve been fooled by Rocco Marini and may have misconstrued my frankness as rude. However, I believe honesty is the best to build a marital partnership. Have a good afternoon, ladies.”
He leaned close and to my utter surprise pressed his lips to mine.
I stiffened, but didn’t fight. We all knew I could do nothing about it.
Percy sucked on my bottom lip, then broke away chuckling. “Mmm, like cotton candy. I knew you’d taste sweet. See you very soon, Adelina. Constance.” He strolled out of the room.
My face burned and I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
Grandmother stepped in front of me. “Tell me the truth. Did something happen.”
I pursed my lips. “What does that matter? —”
“It matters,” she interjected, her tone abrupt.
“Why? Are you going back on your word again?” I hissed, glaring. “Or do you regret telling Percy to take me for a sexual test drive?”
She slapped my face. “Enough. I will not tolerate any more of your disrespect. We didn’t permit Percy to do anything but talk to you.”
I bobbed my head and ignored the sting on my cheek. “Then why are you here? Why did you ask him what he’d done?” My voice broke.
She stood there stiffly and didn’t utter a word. But she’d done the same as I’d done when I couldn’t handle the truth. If Percy had forced himself on me, I doubt it would have been a dealbreaker for them. Money and legacy mattered more. And that was what scraped my heart raw. All the years of trying to be perfect and obedient for them to love me never mattered.
I blinked rapidly. “You don’t care about me. Neither of you do. All I did was try to become like you, hoping one day you’d love me and welcome me as one of your own. But now I realize you’ll never love me or my children. We’ll never be a part of your family.” My voice shook, and I covered my mouth to suppressa sob, quickly left the room, and didn’t stop until I reached the bedroom. I leaned behind the door and took in a staggered breath.I can’t take it.
A car’s engine started outside, and relief washed over me. Percy was gone, but for how long? My grandparents had condemned my life to a man who would, without doubt, control me. Heck, he treated my grandmother like a girl even though she was twice his age.
Percy made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want or respect me. I could handle his belittling me, but never my family, especially Mama. With all that she endured, it wasn’t surprising that she had a mental break. Percy’s callous gossiping made it clear that he had no empathy, not even for Jacob.He’s going to move him away from his family.
I paced my room, my head pounding. My feelings never mattered. Neither had my mother’s or grandmother’s. She suffered, too.And why am I always the last to know about my family? Grandmother had premarital sex with Luca? Were they in love? And my grandfather married her after her miscarriage?
Had Luca betrayed her? Knowing what I knew now, Percy had been right about love not being important in a marriage. What you gained from it mattered most.I hate him. And maybe my grandmother hated my grandfather, too. Still, they became partners trying to fight destiny for Mama, but my father ruined her.And she got stuck with Glenn. Rocco used and left me, and I sealed my fate with my eyes open.
Percy was right.I’ll marry him.
Hot tears poured out of my eyes, and I buried my face in my hands.
Knock.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s just me, Patricia. Percy Sterling is gone, and I’ve been sent to clean your room.”
“Uhm, yeah, okay. Come in,” I called back.
Patricia walked in and she went straight to work organizing things in my room. I wanted to be left alone. But the last thing I wanted to think about was marrying Percy. Why had my grandfather encouraged me to risk my prospects by having sex?Grandmother had been completely against it.
But in the end, I was the one to blame. I gave myself willingly to Rocco.