THE WAY WE WERE BEFORE

LLA'S

so slow. I sat stiffly on the cream-colored couch in my fathe

s folded neatly in her lap,

. He looked relaxed, but the tightness in his jaw s

gent?" Emilio's voice was sha

from one person to the other. "I'll get straight to the point," he said firmly. "It

age. That one word sucked

is was a joke. She sat motionless, her gaze fixed on the floor. Of co

pping away from the wall. His protectivenes

usso and Romano families have been allies for generations. This marri

but I forced myself to speak. "So when you say 'union,' am I the one getting into

o mine. "Yes. You will

feel dizzy. I stood up from the sofa, pul

lliance, then you'd have to find another way to get it. I am not goi

said nothing. Emilio, however, stepped

an't just marry her off like she's an Item. I mean, sh

oth. "I do not care about your emotions, alright? I raised you both, and you'd do as I have said. This is not just

s words pressing down on me. "Duty?" I spat, my

aid coldly, as if my protests were

fall. I turned to Mama, desperate. "Mama, ple

ally, she murmured, "Bella, your father

crashing down on me. I didn't look back at m

floor, echoing in the quiet of the hallway. My heart pounded in my ears,

losely behind. "Bella, wait."

walking, not caring where I was going. I just needed to get away from hi

his hand gently touching my shoulder. "Let me

"There's nothing you can do, Emilio. It's already

. "I'm not going to let them do this to you, Bella. We'll f

offered, though I knew deep down that