Page 117 of Urgent Vows
"Oh, no. I thought if I had the money to pay, Papà would see how serious I was about going, and he would let me. I never thought he'd arrange a marriage for me at nineteen. Catalina is twenty-five and he hadn't arranged one for her yet."
Nonplussed, I turn my head to meet my husband's eyes. My sister has no regret for her actions. None at all. His concern that she might go to the FEDs if she thinks it will get her what she wants is more valid than I wanted to believe.
Carlotta is not a bad person, but she is selfish and short-sighted.
"What are you going to do?" I ask my husband.
Two months ago I would have been scared he was going to marry my sister off to one of his made men, but he knows that would hurt me and he doesn't like me being hurt. My heart wants me to believe that means something it doesn't, so I ignore the pitter-patter in my chest and wait for him to reply.
"She will go to culinary school."
Carlotta lets out a squeal. "Oh, thank you, thank you. Which one?"
I have no doubts there will be restrictions, but I'm not surprised this is part of his answer for her future. His own sister was allowed to get a bachelor's degree at university before marrying Raffaele.
Severu names a school and Carlotta's expression turns confused. "I've never heard of them."
"It is small, but you will learn most of the same cooking techniques you would at the Culinary Institute."
The size must make it easier to keep her safe while she's attending classes.
"But I want to go to a school that is taught by top chefs in the industry."
He ignores her and says, "While you are attending the school, you will be living with the family of one of my low-ranking soldiers. They know not to give you special treatment. You will be expected to pull your weight in the household just like any other member."
"What does that mean?" Carlotta is starting to look worried.
"I believe you will learn to do chores like washing dishes and cleaning toilets."
My sister gasps and opens her mouth to say something, but Severu puts his hand up. "Do not interrupt me again," he says harshly.
She snaps her mouth shut and stares at my husband like he's a gargoyle.
"Your grades at the school will be dependent onyoureffort alone, not your family connections. When you graduate, if you graduate, you will be given a job as a prep cook in one of our restaurants."
"Prep cook?" Carlotta practically screeches. "That's menial labor."
"It's honest work that requires an education or experience to get the position in one of our kitchens. You will work for a minimum of two years. Whether you advance in the kitchen will depend entirely on your work ethic and talent. Be aware that your job is not guaranteed. If the chef does not think you are up to the task, you will be put to work washing dishes for the remainder of your two years."
Severu is outlining a future that is both fulfillment of my sister's dreams and punishment.
"I never wanted to work. That wasn't my plan," Carlotta says.
"How did you think you were going to survive away from your father's house?" Severu asks, not sounding even mildly interested in the reply.
It's more like a rhetorical question.
She answers anyway. "I didn't plan to stay away from my home. I couldn't know Papà would die in a car accident. I was going to come home after his temper had a chance to cool off."
"Or after he'd vented it on your sister." The chill in Severus voice tells me exactly why he thinks my sister needs to learn a lesson.
Not because she abandoned him at the altar. But because she left me to face the fallout from her choices.
Carlotta's guilty look says it all. Thathadbeen part of her plan. "I didn't want to marry you, but no one would listen to me."
"Who is everyone?" Severu asks with bite. "Who did you tell that you did not want to marry me? Not me. Not my mother."
"I toldsoru."
