Page 123 of Humility
“But, aren’t you lonely?”
“Define lonely? This room could be full of people, and I would still be lonely without your mother. It’s not just any people that make you feel whole. It’s the right people.”
I sipped my wine and knew what he meant. Angelo, Dario, and even Enzo made me feel connected in a way I’d never felt with anyone else.
“Papa, did Angelo come here asking for my hand in marriage when he returned from Chicago?”
His cheeks flamed red, anger in his eyes. “Yes, he did, and I sent him packing. After what he did, what he took, and how he left you…I was never letting him near you again.”
I looked down at my hands. “I wish you had,” I said softly.
“What?”
My eyes stung with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me Angelo stole Mama’s Faberge egg?”
He stood and leaned an arm on the mantle, his finger tapping on the edge of his wine glass. “Is that who you went to see?” His tone changed, and his eyes grew hard.
“I didn’t plan it, but yes, that is who I was with.”
He rubbed his forehead. “Why Bambolina? He is bad news.”
Even though he was right, my back stiffened. “Papa, please just answer the question?”
“I didn’t tell you because I knew you were still holding a candle for him. I could see it in your eyes and felt your heart aching. I couldn’t tell you what he and his friends did. It would’ve crushed you.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe he ever thought he was worthy enough to marry you.”
“Stop it, Papa. This is exactly why I left. This attitude of you thinking you know what I need or who I should be with.” Standing, I stepped around the low coffee table so my papa couldn’t look away. “I loved him, and whether right or wrong, he had reasons for cutting off communication, and he didn’t know I was pregnant.” He made an annoyed sound and chugged his glass of wine.
“You never should’ve been pregnant, it was manipulative. He tried to force my hand when he knew he wasn’t worthy of you. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Papa, I knew about Lucas,” I said, and his mouth fell open. “I knew you already tried to sell me off like a broodmare to the highest bidder. I chose to be with Angelo. He didn’t force me to sleep with him. I fell in love with him, and yes, I still love him.”
“I don’t want to hear this.” He tried to back up, but I wasn’t letting him off that easy, and I walked around the couch to step into his path.
“We need to talk about this,” I said, holding his glare.
“You want to be with someone who stole your virginity, your heart, and your inheritance? Then go, but do not ask me to approve a marriage to that man. I will not. I cannot.”
Tears trickled free. “I’m not marrying him, but it could’ve been so different if everyone in my life had been honest and stopped sheltering me. You and Angelo keep making the same mistake. You underestimate what I can handle, and in the end, you both hurt me.” I shook my head. “You tried to marry me off twice, Papa, and kept your own secrets. So do not cast stones inside a glass house.”
“I am sorry for that, but Angelo….”
“What? Angelo what? Let’s take the robbery and even the sex before he got your approval to marry me out of it. Would you have approved of him?”
“I need more wine.” He walked over to the desk and poured a full glass.
“Answer me, Papa. I am so sick of lies and secrets. Everywhere I turn, there is another one,” I said, clenching my hands into fists.
Papa wheeled around and looked at me. “No, I wouldn’t have approved a marriage.”
It felt like he slapped me across the face with his words. Angelo was right. “Why?”
“Because his family is tainted with rumors and baggage that would’ve cast shadows over you for the rest of your life. And, because I know he was the one who made you cry when you were little, mia Bambolina. So, no. I protected you because you are my daughter, and it’s my job as your father. I love you and only want what is best for you.”
“But you didn’t trust me to make that decision for myself,” I said softly, my heart hurting.
“He said he called you from Chicago. Is that true?”
As soon as he looked away, I knew, and I covered my mouth as more tears fell.
