Chapter 4

The next afternoon, Vittoria invited me to have tea in the estate garden.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the lemon trees, scattering shiny flecks across the patio.

Vittoria held a teacup, her voice reflecting concern.

“Since you’ve upset Juliana, Matteo might face some kickback in the family. Juliana isn’t going to let this go.”

I cocked my head to meet her weary gaze.

“This isn’t her first rodeo.” Vittoria let out a wry smile. “She tried to get in between Luca and me, saying I was past my prime and not feminine enough. According to her, Luca only married me because of pressure from Don Colombo.”

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

“It’s true that I’m five years older than Luca. Juliana talked about how I looked like Luca’s mother next to him. I’m stuck at home with the kids while she’s out and about, looking her best. I have to put up with everything for the children’s sake.”

She chuckled lightly until eventually, her eyes welled up with tears.

“Last week, I got a call from the daycare, saying that our child was burning up. Luca assured me that he would be there in no time, but he took Juliana shopping instead. Our poor child waited outside the nursery for forty minutes.”

Her smile was pained and bitter.

“What struck me as most absurd was that whenever Juliana was mentioned, the men dismissed our concerns, saying that she was a free spirit and one of the boys.”

I responded icily, “That’s exactly why they don’t find her a stranger. She hangs around men, messing around like she’s one of them.”

Vittoria nodded. “No one’s going to challenge her. She hides behind family ties, labelling us as petty if we voice any issues.”

A gust of wind rustled the leaves of the lemon tree.

I was Juliana’s victim in my past life. I held my tongue the whole time as she turned my world upside down.

This time around, I was done putting up with her.

That night, Juliana sent a message to the family group chat.

“How does a picnic by the lake behind the estate this weekend sound? I’ll sort everything out.”

She tagged everybody in the group, acting like the Donna.

Juliana got right down to the distribution of tasks.

“Vittoria, you’re good at cooking. You handle the marinated meats and cold platter.

“Alessia, you’re in charge of the drinks and fruit. Don’t get the cheap stuff. It looks bad on the family.

“I have a lot on my plate lately, so I’ll stay on top of the coordination.”

Her tone sounded civil, but the underlying insults were clear.

She resurfaced in the thread just after eleven at night.

“Vittoria, Alessia, make sure to bring the tents and blankets. I need to stay protected from the sun and cold.”

I didn’t give her the time of day, nor did Vittoria.

A minute later, she sent another text.

“Matteo, Luca, you need to tighten things up at home. Are your wives too busy seeing someone else to respond to my texts?”

The group chat went silent.

I typed a response, my thumb hovering over the send button briefly.

“Are you projecting, Juliana? Who’s the one with flings? Even jokes have their limits.”