My eldest brother, Vincenzo, jolted. The wine glass in his hand cracked with a sharp snap, red wine splashing onto the white tablecloth.
As he got up to get a napkin, I snuck a glance at him. 'Everyone in this house is a mess. Dim-witted, short-fused, and fragile as glass.'
'I really need to bail. I have no intention of going down with this sinking ship, especially since they’ve never once treated me like family.’
'Well, maybe Papa and Mamma are okay,' I amended, sneaking a peek at my parents, who were watching me with concern. 'The jury's still out. I'll keep observing.'
Isabella's gaze softened. She smiled at me with a warmth that felt a little unsettling. "Annelise, have you met Seraphina before?"
"No, I haven't. But I've heard of her."
'Never met her, but I’ve definitely heard the gossip,' I added mentally.
'She's Cassie's best friend, which is why this family thinks she's the perfect match. They're two peas in a pod—equally conniving and ruthless.'
'Oh, and she’s pregnant. Vincenzo gets to be an instant dad the second they're married. How fun is that?' I couldn't help but snicker internally.
Vincenzo, who had just wiped his hands, finally crushed the fragile glass in his fist.
“Vincenzo and Seraphina have barely spent any time together. This is premature,” Luciano interjected coolly.
Vincenzo nodded quickly, and Isabella seemed to agree.
I blinked. Weren't they just setting a wedding date? Why the sudden reversal?
'Still, this marriage is a done deal—Cassie is too close to her. Speaking of which, you know why they’re so close? Because what Seraphina really wants is the Marchetti family's shipping lines. She's marrying into the family to spy for the Gallos.'
Just then, Vincenzo choked, spitting out a mouthful of soda water.
'Seraphina has always moved through circles of powerful men. Getting close to Vincenzo was just an assignment.'
'Besides, her real preference is for sweet, gentle girls. Ugh, and she actually thought she could make a move on me?'
"What?!" Luciano suddenly shouted, slamming his hand on the table.
I flinched, looking up in confusion.
He awkwardly retracted his hand and forced a sheepish smile. "Oh, sorry, my dear Annelise. Just remembered some frustrating business. Pay me no mind."
Everyone else at the table seemed bizarrely calm, so I shrugged and turned my attention back to the gossip unfolding in my head.
'So that's it. Cassie complained to her about my return—the "true heiress." She even showed Seraphina my file, hoping she’d give me a hard time. But instead of getting angry, Seraphina saw me as a rival to be eliminated. She wants to play some deadly cat-and-mouse game with me.'
'Is she insane? Even if I were into women, I’d want someone hot and kind, not a cold-blooded, manipulative viper like her!'
Isabella nodded slightly, catching my eye. I glanced at her, only to see her rubbing her neck, complaining it was stiff.
I dismissed it and refocused on the plot.
'What?! She’s holding a girl captive in her villa just for rejecting her? That's kidnapping! My God, she's a complete psychopath. She belongs in a cage!'
My heart pounded. How could I slip away to call the police without arousing suspicion?
Without thinking, I shot up from my seat and blurted out, "I'm not feeling well, I need to go to my room!"
I rushed out before they could respond.
I had just reached the staircase when Leo appeared at the top, blocking my path. He must have heard my loud declaration, because he sneered, “So undisciplined.”
"I have urgent business, no time for you," I shot him a glare and then bolted up the stairs.
Behind me, I heard Vincenzo smack him on the back of the head, roaring, "Shut your mouth!"
That night, I heard muffled commotions and a few thuds from downstairs. The next morning when I came down, everything was calm again.
As I walked into the dining room, I saw the family huddled together, whispering. Amidst the murmurs, I heard Leo say, "But Cassie said she doesn't want to be part of our family anymore! She doesn't want to be a Marchetti daughter!"
I looked at the back of his head, feeling a wave of pity for his sheer denseness.
'You idiot. It’s not about being a sister anymore. She wants to be your sister-in-law.'
