“Dad, what is going on?” I demand.
Dad swallows and releases a sigh. He squints slightly and looks like he’s trying to hold his temper.
“You’re going to marry Massimo in a month’s time,” he answers. My mouth drops wide open.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“What… no… I… no.” I shake my head furiously in disbelief.
Surely, I couldn’t have heard right. Marry? A man I don’t know? No way.
“Yes,” he confirms in that voice that shows the depth of his seriousness. I blink back tears that well up in my eyes, willing myself not to cry.
“Dad, this is outrageous! I can’t marry someone I don’t know,” I gasp.
“You will do this, Emelia,” Dad answers, shocking me. “He wishes for you to leave today. You will leave now and move to his home.”
My head feels so light I might faint. All I can do is stare at him in shock. “Today! What about Italy? I’m leaving tomorrow. What about school?” I knew it was too good to be true, but I never imagined something like this happening.
“You won’t be able to go,” he replies, and my heart breaks.
“My art… Please don’t take my dreams away from me,” I beg.
“Emelia, do not make this harder than it already is,” he answers, holding up a hand.
“How could you do this?” I rasp, but he doesn’t answer.
Dad holds my gaze, and the fact that he says nothing highlights the seriousness of the situation.
Mr. Marzetti sets a document on the desk before us and looks at Massimo. I can’t look at either of them. I can’t because the document that’s in front of me looks like some kind of contract. Why would I need a contract?
“What is that?” I ask, but it’s another unanswered question.
“Mr. D’Agostino, please sign here,” Mr. Marzetti says, and Massimo walks over to sign in the section he pointed to.
Massimo then slides the document to me and sets the pen right down beside my hand. He’s so close, too close, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end when I turn and face him. Our eyes lock, and when I stare into the depths of his blue gaze, I see nothing. No soul, nothing human, nothing he wishes to give away.
“Sign, Emelia,” Dad orders, breaking the trance, and I look back at the document.
It’s definitely a contract… I skim the first few lines. Bile churns my stomach then rises into my throat, burning.
My skin flushes with icy fear as I read the words:
It is hereby certified by this contract of ownership that Massimo D’Agostino will as of this day, 1st July 2019, become the sole proprietor of Emelia Juliette Balesteri. She will fall part of all assets acquired from Riccardo Balesteri in attempt to recover sums of the debt owed, which totals $25 million dollars. She will belong to him, and marriage to him will bind all assets and inheritance linked to her name…
That’s all I need to read. All I need to see. I bolt upright and back away. The situation is so much worse than I thought.
Not going to Italy is bad, the idea of marrying a man I don’t know devastating, but this…
What the hell is this?
The words swirl around in my mind as I look at each of them. The older man, Giacomo, who still has that stern face void of emotion. His son, Massimo, who stares back at me in anticipation. Mr. Marzetti, who looks away in shame. Him I give credit. He seems to be the only person before me who knows this is wrong.
When my gaze settles back on Dad, my brain scrambles and my skin prickles with goose bumps. He’s supposed to love and protect me.
This can’t be real.