All Chapters of FORCED MARRIAGE: The Italian Mafia's Obsession : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The trip back to Italy felt like the longest trip of my life.Luca was sitting in the seat next to me, but it seemed as if he were in a seat on another plane. He didn't talk. He just looked emptily out the window. Sometimes he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. Sometimes he opened his laptop and looked at the screen without really reading anything.I was silent too.I was more afraid of Luca's silence than of his shouting. If he shouted, I could get angry in turn. If he threw something, I could face him. But the silence? The silence prevented me from knowing what was going through his mind. The silence prevented me from knowing if he was still angry, or if he was already disappointed, or if he no longer cared.The plane landed at the airport in the afternoon. The Italian sky was cloudy, as if it also felt my mood. Luca got off first, without offering me his hand as he usually did. I got off alone, gathering my long dress so I wouldn't step on it.Stefano was already waiting with th

At night, Luca came home.I heard the sound of his car in the distance, then the main door opened and closed. His heavy steps echoed in the marble hallway, went up to the second floor, closer and closer to our room.I was still lying in bed, pretending to sleep. I didn't want it to seem like I was waiting for him. I didn't want him to think I cared whether he came back or not.The bedroom door opened. Luca entered. I didn't open my eyes. I only heard his movements: he took off his suit, took off his shoes and then walked to the bathroom. I heard the water running. He showered.A few minutes later, the water stopped. The bathroom door opened. I still had my eyes closed, pretending to sleep, but I could hear his steps approaching the bed.He didn't get into the bed. He just stood beside me."Camila."I didn't respond."I know you're not asleep."I stayed silent."I can see how your eyes move behind your eyelids."I sighed and opened my eyes. I was startled.Luca was standing next to the

The car moved away from Rome, leaving behind the bustle of the city that was beginning to fill with traffic. I looked out the window, watching how the landscape changed from tall buildings to vast green areas. The trip to Milan would last several hours, but I wasn't bored. My mind was too busy to be bored.The University of Medicine of Milan.I never imagined I would go there. Before, when I was still studying in the US, I had read about this university. One of the best medical schools in Europe. Many famous researchers had graduated there, but I never thought about studying in that place."You're nervous," Luca said.I turned. "What?""You're biting your lip. It's a sign that you're nervous."I stopped biting my lip immediately."I'm not nervous. I'm just thinking.""About what?""About whether this is really a good idea."Luca took my hand again. His warm fingers held my cold hand."If you don't like what he offers you, we can leave whenever you want.""It's the best university in I

"Now to the shoe store," Luca said as he was already pulling me out of the bag store."Luca, this is enough. I already have bags.""You need shoes for each bag.""I can wear the shoes I already have.""You have three pairs of shoes. That's not enough for Luca Vitale's wife."I sighed. There was no point in resisting. Luca had already put on that stubborn expression I knew so well. Once he decided something, nothing could stop him.We entered a luxury shoe store across the way. A glass wall displayed rows of heels, flats, boots, and sneakers from various prestigious brands.A saleswoman in a black jacket greeted us with a wide smile."Good evening, sir, ma'am. How can I help you?""Show me the newest shoes of this season. Size 37," Luca ordered in a flat tone.The saleswoman nodded quickly. Within minutes, two of her assistants came out with a dozen shoe boxes. They knelt in front of me, opening the boxes one by one, showing their contents.I felt uncomfortable. In the States I used to

I was startled when I was discovered, but I didn’t back away. On the contrary, I opened the door wider and stepped into the gym.“I wasn’t spying on you. I was just watching,” I said.Luca didn’t answer. He lifted the weights again, ignoring me as if I weren’t there.I stayed by his side, arms crossed over my chest.“You know? As a doctor, I should tell you that the way you’re lifting those weights is incorrect,” I said.He remained silent. The weights went up and down. His breathing was steady, sweat kept running down.“Your back is too arched. That can cause a lumbar spine injury. And your breathing isn’t regular. You should coordinate your breathing with the movement: exhale as you lift, inhale as you lower.”Luca didn’t look at me or reply.“I’m talking to you,” I said.He stayed quiet.“Don’t you care? I’m giving you free medical advice and you’re ignoring me.”The weights kept rising and falling. Luca kept ignoring me.I sighed in frustration.“Your attitude is immature, you kno