Chapter 7

Maria

Sareena helps me up the stairs and into my room. She’s always been such a good girl, even when life hasn’t been kind to her. I know she has questions, but I’m not ready to answer them yet. But I will soon; after this wedding.

Her life has been difficult; always neglected and often forgotten. I don’t deserve her love, but I know I did everything I could to protect her. I couldn’t save Sophia from Riccardo’s grip, but I got Sareena away. One day, I hope she will understand how much she means to me. She’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.

She sits me down on the edge of the bed and begins wiping my face, gently cleaning the cuts. Her touch is soft and soothing, just like it always was. She used to do this every time Riccardo hit me. I know she’s going to make a wonderful doctor. She’s already healing others, just by being herself.

Sareena honestly thinks I don’t know anything going on in her life, but I do. Kathy calls me every day, sends pictures and updates. I’ve saved every photo in a private folder on my phone and on the hardest days, I sit alone and go through them. They remind me there’s still goodness left in the world.

“Mom, why do you continue to live like this?” she asks softly, concern etched in her voice. “He’s going to kill you. I’m not here to protect you anymore. Come live with me and Kathy. I have room. I have enough money to support us until I start working.”

My heart pulls in two. I want to say yes. I want to run far away from all of this, but someone needs to stay. Someone needs to keep an eye on Sophia. Riccardo isn’t loyal to anyone, not even his own father. And if Sophia loses me completely, I’m afraid she’ll be lost forever.

“Mom? Earth to Mom?” Sareena snaps her fingers in front of my face.

I blink. “Oh, Sareena, my sweet girl.” I reach out and brush her hair behind her ear. “I can’t leave your father. He needs me. So does your sister. You’re independent now. They aren’t.”

Her expression shifts. Her lips tighten, her eyes glassy. She may be a university graduate, but she’s still only seventeen. Still a girl who wants her mother to choose her; for once.

“So, what does Dad want you to talk to me about?” she asks, her voice quiet but firm. “What’s the favor? It must be something big if he forced me to come home. Just tell me. I’ll do it and go back to Boston.”

I look away. I can’t hold her gaze. I know something bigger is planned for her; something terrible. I’ve seen the packages arriving, heard the whispers behind closed doors. I’ve just been too powerless to stop it. But I should have tried harder.

“Mom, just tell me.” she pleads. “Please.”

My throat tightens. My next words come out dry, bitter, shameful. “Sareena… are you still a virgin?”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously, Mom? Are we having the birds-and-the-bees talk now?” But then she softens. “Don’t stress. I’m still a virgin. I have no plans to change that anytime soon.” She slides a ring off her finger and holds it out. “I took the ‘Voto Di Castità’ at my Confirmation. You and Dad didn’t come, but Kathy was there. And yes, I saw the pictures from Sophia’s Confirmation. It looked beautiful.”

She smiles sadly. “I’ve got other dreams to chase before I think about sex and marriage; and all that.”

My perfect girl. I remember begging Riccardo to let both girls celebrate their Confirmations together. But he said no. Just like he said no to so many things that mattered.

How can I ask her to do this? The test involves a speculum. That alone breaks the promise she made with that ring, in front of God. The vow says nothing should ever be inserted, not even for medical reasons. It may seem small to others, but to Sareena, it’s sacred.

I take a deep breath and force the words out. “Your sister… she’s in trouble. She’s been involved with Tommy for years. Her fiancé, Damian, found out. There are videos and pictures… and rumors. They’re saying it’s you in the footage, not Sophia. Your father wants you to pretend to be her during a medical exam to prove her virginity.” I pause. My voice drops lower. “Then… he wants you to admit you’re the girl in the photos. The one with Tommy. That way, people will believe Sophia is still pure. But if you do this… you’ll be cast out by the Familia. You may never be welcomed back. It could ruin your life.”

Sareena’s face drains of color. “Let me guess,” she whispers bitterly, “was it Sophia who let everyone believe it was me in those videos?”

I say nothing. I don’t have to.

She laughs once; sharp but bitter. “I won’t do it. I have self-respect. You failed to protect Sophia, and now you’re failing to protect me. You want me to destroy myself for her? For him?”

The door slams open. Riccardo. He crosses the room in three strides, his face like thunder. I barely have time to react before the butt of his gun crashes into Sareena’s head. She collapses.

“No!” I scream.

He starts kicking her. Over and over.

“Stop, Riccardo! Just stop!” I beg, throwing myself between them. “She’ll do it. I’ll make sure she does. Please, just stop!”

He delivers one last kick before turning and walking out like nothing happened.

My hands shake as I gather her in my arms, her blood warm against my fingers. She doesn’t deserve this. She never did. I’ve failed her again. But I won’t fail her anymore. I already lost Sophia. I won’t lose Sareena too.