16

Solenne 

I felt completely disoriented all day while meeting Vincent's relatives. The wave of feelings I experienced as his coffin was lowered was beyond words. I found myself standing there all alone. 

Once again, I was isolated in this world. You abandoned me here, Vincent. You left me with a cousin who seems determined to harm me and a multitude of family members who stare at me as if I'm their foe. Why would you do this to me? Did you even care for me at all? I brushed away the few tears that fell and joined the throng heading back to the car. 

Antonio opened the door for me and I climbed into the back seats next to Caelum. He was silent as soon as we got there. His body was tense, radiating anger, so I figured it was wise not to provoke anything until the day was over. Caelum rarely expressed his feelings or chatted, but I sensed how close he was to them. I strolled around the back gardens, enjoying the variety of flowers. I used to tend to plants at my aunt's home when I lived there.

 Although she didn't talk much, we shared a quiet connection through our love for gardening. 

"Hello Solenne. It's Chiara. " The blonde lady from a few days ago, who informed me of Vincent's passing, approached and waved. I didn't understand why she was engaging with me, but I could see a malicious spark in her eyes. I already sensed she had her eye on Caelum and figured everyone understood I was not his mistress now.

 "Hi! " I answered, tucking my light brown hair behind my ear. Aria curled it for me after lunch, and I appreciated her effort to make me look decent. Still, I felt like crawling under the blankets and just fading away. 

"I wanted to express my gratitude for attending today. It means a great deal for even a distant relative to support my fiancé. " 

"Fiancé? You and Caelum are engaged? " That took me by surprise. She seemed much younger than Caelum; it felt like there was a huge age difference. Alright, I might be exaggerating a bit, but still, it felt wrong. 

"No, not at all. I'm referring to Vincent. He and I have been engaged for three years. We chose to wait until finishing college before marrying." 

Wait a minute! Please don't say her Vincent is my Vincent. 

"You were engaged to Vince? " I inhaled sharply, feeling tremors in my body. Chiara looked puzzled. 

"You didn't know, really? We were definitely engaged. He was to be the future Don and my father runs Las Vegas. After Vince agreed to our marriage deal, he brought me to New York, and I've stayed here ever since. " My jaw dropped, then snapped shut tight. I couldn't blame her for not knowing he had been unfaithful. What the hell, Vincent? I swear I'm going to kill you all over again. 

"I'm truly sorry for your loss, Chiara. I didn't know him very well. " And that was the brutal truth.

 "If you need anything, just let me know. Excuse me for a moment; I need to use the restroom. " She gazed at me earnestly. 

"Thank you, Solenne. No one has told me that. Please take care. " That was odd, but I felt I was on the cusp of breaking down completely. I calmly passed through the gardens and headed to the kitchen. The cook had a hidden stash of brown liquor beside the stove that I urgently needed. I grabbed it and made my way to the bathroom. 

Aria passed by and gasped when she saw me standing at the bathroom door, gulping down a bottle of amber liquid that burned my throat. "Oh, my dear! What is happening to you? I've never met a woman so unrefined. " She snatched the bottle from my grasp, but I yanked it back. She shoved me into the bathroom and closed the door. 

"Did you know, Aria? " I asked with a hiccup.

 "Know what, darling? " 

"That Vincent was engaged to Chiara? " I hoped the little blonde wouldn't be truthful. Perhaps this was a cruel prank by Caelum. 

"Of course, everyone is aware. They have been engaged for three years. " She wrung out a cold cloth and placed it on my neck while wiping my face as tears streamed down. 

"Why would he betray me like this? " 

"Who, honey? You really ought to manage your emotions better. " She lectured me. 

"Vincent and I were involved. We met in school, and I had no idea about any of this chaotic family situation he was part of. Why am I here, Aria? What is Caelum expecting from me? "

 "Oh, darling! " She exclaimed. "I had no clue. I thought you were Caelum's partner. I realized he couldn't marry you, but I figured you were his lover. " 

"Why couldn't he marry me? " I didn't wish to tie the knot with Caelum, but I couldn't grasp why I was seen as unsuitable for their family. 

"You're not descended from any major family. A Don can only wed someone from a pure bloodline. I thought that once Vincent passed and Caelum became Don, he intended to keep his secret woman as his mistress. "

 "This is all overwhelming. What's wrong with these families? " I took a deep breath. 

"So, that means Vincent could never have married me. I was just a distraction or toy for him. " Aria nodded her head sadly in agreement. 

"I'm sorry, Solenne. However, you can't leave now. "

 "Why not? I have a life and a career I was trying to build. " 

"Oh, my dear. I'm so sorry. This is undeniably cruel, but you've witnessed too much. Once you are part of the family, you can only exit by death. " 

"I am not part of the family! I haven't seen anything! "

"Yes, you have. Come sit and listen to me carefully." Aria sat me on the closed toilet then kneeled in front of me.

"These people, these families, are the most powerful in the world. They are generations of Mafia with strict code they live by. You have seen too much and you cannot leave unless it is by death. Caelum is now the head of all the families. That makes him the most powerful. You can't keep disobeying him, not if you want to live. I know your world has been turned upside down, but if you can accept your place then you'll find happiness again. I'm sure that a pretty girl like you could find a good husband from the lower ranks and still have a chance for a future. Just behave and listen to the boss. You want him as an ally, never as an enemy."