Page 53 of A Debt to Pay
I sigh, trying to figure out what I should think. Has Luci fooled me into thinking she loved me and ran off because of it? Or did she have a moment and regret sending that email before Aldo broke in and convinced her to run off? “Okay, El. Give me your wisdom.”
She goes over to the sofa and sits down, swinging her legs up and crossing her ankles before speaking. “Welllllll, if there’s anything I know it’s that Luci does love you.”
“What makes you say that?”
“First of all, when I met her she was very defensive and obviously didn’t want to be here. Over time, I could see the difference in her. She didn’t want to love you at first. Then you two started having these cute little moments in between the times you were a total ass. Gradually, she fell in love with you. Your fucking attitude is almost as bad as Marco’s though and we both know my opinion about that. Shit, even Andrea came home one night bitching about the two of you. I had to suck his dick just to shut him up, even though we both loved that part so whatever but—”
Does she ever get to the fucking point?
“El! Get to your point!” she scoffs as she rolls her eyes before continuing.
“Okay, grumpy. This next part you know, but it’s part of the story. I knew you two had that fight about a week ago a.k.a the night she sent that email, which by the way the fight was your fault. Buuuuuut when I saw her a few days later, I knew she didn’t want to talk to you but still wanted to marry you. That was the day of her dress fitting and the day she confided in me that she thought her period was late.”
“That’s another thing! You knew Luci thought she was pregnant and didn’t tell me.”
“Do you want me to finish or not? Because I can start rambling again or walk out instead.” Sometimes I wish she was afraid of me. I lean back in my chair letting her take the floor. “I’ll take that silence as your answer. Back to my story. I went and got a pregnancy test for her just in case. As I was leaving, Marco was an idiot per usual and tried to get me to stay. Yeah, unlikely. I mean, do I ever listen to him? No. I got the tests and we decided to wait a few days to see if her period came. I guess the night before the wedding was the time to do it. To bring this speech to a conclusion, I know she loves you. I also think when Aldo broke in she panicked and went with him because she’s a people pleaser and doesn’t want to disappoint him. I think she sent that email in a panic. I’d bet my favorite treasures that she didn’t mean it. Happy?”
“Happy isn’t the word I’d use.”
“Fine then, I’ll leave. If you need to talk and don’t want to be grumpy reach out anytime. Ta-ta for now!” She stands, adjusting her skirt before clacking out of my office, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I’d prefer to say this conversation eased my doubts. While it was surprisingly nice to talk with El, waking up with Luci gone makes me wonder what’s going on in her head. At the end of the day, she is mine, and she is carrying my baby.I will do anything to hunt her down and bring her back here, kicking and screaming if needed.
Chapter 49
Luci
I’ve been sick for days. I know it’s the pregnancy and this will pass, but right now, it sucks. I haven’t said anything to anyone since the day after I got here, the day that everyone agreed I should marry Elio. Everyone except for me.
The moment I got into Nonno’s car I regretted leaving with him. Alessandro might as well be universes away even though I’m carrying a part of him with me. A wave of nausea hits me and I’m glad I’ve gotten comfortable with a blanket in the bathroom. I get to the toilet in time for what’s left in my stomach to come up. Gentle footsteps come into the bathroom and Nonna squats next to me to rub my back.
“It’s okay. Your mamma and I were this sick when we were pregnant too. It means you’re going to have a girl. She will be blessed with your beauty and kindness.” Nonna has been the only one that’s been kind except Elio, so kind it’s annoying. Nonno is insistent on having things his way and Mamma keeps her distance, giving me the impression that I’m the biggest disappointment in her life.
“But this early?” So far, pregnancy sucks.
“Morning sickness can happen as early as four weeks and that timeline starts on the first day of your last period. That’s how I knew I was having your mamma.”
“Why are you here, Nonna? I appreciate your kindness, but we both know that Nonno sent you in here.”
“You see right through me sometimes don’t you? Yes, he did send me in. Let’s go back to your room and talk. I brought some toast for you and water with those electrolyte things. Elio has been generous and went to the store to get everything you need, including vitamins and all those ginger candies that help with morning sickness.” She immediately notices my sadness as she helps me up and into the bedroom. “All this stuff about ginger and morning sickness seems a little far-fetched to me.”
“Yet you think that morning sickness can depict the gender of my baby?”
“Of course, it can! Later we can find a list of old wifes’ tales that confirm you’ll have a girl. Now lay down and at least drink some water.” Nonna peels back the sheets and I climb in as she tucks me in. She pushes a loose curl behind my ear, handing me the toast and water while sitting on the edge of the bed.
I eat for Nonna and my poppy seed sized baby, no matter how much eating and drinking makes me want to gag. I don’t want to disappoint Nonna by refusing her help. “You didn’t stay here to make sure I ate and drank. What else?”
“My, my. There you go again.” Her sweet tone gets serious as she continues. “You’ll need help with this baby. Nonno and I are too old to help raise another baby. You know we love you and this baby but you need someone to help you, and that help needs to come from a man. Elio is a good man, a kind man. He loves you Luci, and he wants to be with you and raise this baby. Where I’m headed with this is that I think you should marry him.”
Tears well up in my eyes at her words. I always thought she would be on my side and it hurts to have her echo the same words everyone else said. “Nonna I can’t marry him. This is Alessandro’s baby and I want to raise this baby with him. I love him, Nonna.”
The sigh that leaves her mouth makes it known she’s going to say something that I won’t like. “Luci, you don’t love him. These hormones you have since you’re carrying the baby he put inside you make you believe that. You spent too much time around him. He’s your captor, and he’s brainwashed you. With enough time you’ll see that and you’ll make the right decision.”
“But Nonna you don’t understand,” The words come through broken sobs.
Nonna kisses me on my temple before standing, covering me with the blankets. “I know this is overwhelming, but you know we have your best interest in mind. Keep sipping on your water and rest. When you wake up, you’ll know what you need to do.”
The door closes before I cover my mouth, crying into my palm to muffle my sobs.
I remove the hand from my mouth to rest on my stomach, thinking of the life I’m currently growing. I speak similar words to my baby that I’ve repeated every night for the last week. “I’ll get us back to your papa little baby, I promise. I’ll figure out how to get us home.”