While Montanari was away, seemingly enjoying himself with his blonde mistress, I grabbed a glass of whiskey and took a gulp, repeating this five more times in a row. I grabbed another glass and left for the garden. I just needed some air, I wanted a quiet place, alone.
What can I complain about Ethan Montanari? My brother got me into this mess, and here I am. This was the fate he chose for me. All women born into the mafia have a destiny like this or worse. But when my father was alive, he always told my mother that he would never give my hand in marriage to a capo or Don; he would let me choose my own destiny.
But he had to die and leave my brother in charge. At the first opportunity, the idiot sold me like a piece of meat. Matheus is my brother, but I can't forgive him for what he did to me. He sold my freedom, my innocence, my dreams. He finished me.
I wiped away the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes and took another sip of my drink, watching the cold wind blowing the rose bushes. I closed my eyes and enjoyed that sweet smell that came from them. I needed that, I needed that moment alone, just for myself.
"Look who it is, the lost little girl," a smug voice said, and I already knew who it was.
"Oh, it's you," I said, not bothering to look at her.
"Can we talk for a few seconds? I won't take long," she said, sitting down next to me.
"Do what you need to do. Talk," I said, looking at her; her lipstick was intact, maybe she and Montanari had kissed, and she reapplied it quickly. She'll know.
"My name is Keyla Durantes," she said. "You weren't surprised to see me here; I can see it in your eyes, and I know you don't like me one bit."
"It's good that you noticed, I'm transparent," I said. "If I like someone's face, I show it; if I don't, I show it too."
"I feel very sorry for you, Elisa," she said.
"Oh yeah? And why do you feel sorry for me?" I looked at her indifferently.
"Because Ethan is not a loving man, he is not a man a woman would want to marry. And you married him. You had the misfortune of marrying him," she said shamelessly. "And there's also the matter that he loves another woman. Maybe that's why he treats you so badly."
"How do you know he treats me badly?" I asked, irritated.
"That's what he told me, while we were talking in the VIP area. We laughed a lot," she chuckled.
"Good for you, isn't it?" I asked. "Laughing at the misfortune of others, it's written on your face that it's your specialty."
"Well, it was funny," she said. "He told me he's never going to like a brat like you." She laughed even harder.
"You know what, Keyla? I don't care what you say or don't say. You know why? Because even if I am a brat, as you said, I don't go around like an idiot chasing after a man who doesn't want me and is married," I said, making her irritated.
"Don't claim victory too soon, Elisa. Ethan is mine, and I won't rest until I destroy you and get you out of my way."
I grabbed my purse from the wooden bench and walked across the grass towards the party. As soon as I walked through the door, my body bumped into a strong chest; his hands held me by the waist.
"Are you okay? You look pale," he asked, still holding me.
"I'm great," I said, moving away from his touch.
"What happened to you? Why are you so distant?" he asked, looking over my head at the garden.
"Ask your lover, Keyla," I said, trying to get past him. But I was stopped when he grabbed my arm.
"What is it, mia cara?" he asked, clenching his fist.
"What do you want me to tell you, Ethan? Where do you want me to start? With the part where you joined her in the VIP area and laughed at me, calling me a brat? Or better yet, how about we talk about the part where you treat me badly? You hit me and then run into the arms of your lover to brag about it?" I glared at him, my eyes narrowed in anger. "Tell me, where do we start?"
I felt Ethan's arms tighten around my arm, but then he let go of me. His hands were shaking with pure hatred, a black cloud forming in his eyes.
He faced me.
"What kind of man do you think I am, wife? I may be many things, but I am not a fool," he said. "I hate being disobeyed, and she went too far, and besides lying, she told so many lies that filled me with hatred."
"Then tell me, why did she spend so much time in the VIP area? You were with her, weren't you?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"I was. I won't lie," he said. "But I made it clear that I didn't want her involved in my life anymore, especially messing with you. That's all we talked about. But don't worry, I'll take care of that dannazione (damn woman)." he said furiously. "Wait for me here, I'll be right back."
After the intense conversation with Ethan, where he stormed off towards the garden accompanied by his security guards, I decided to get away from the party crowd for a while. I walked to the bar, ordered a drink and stayed there, observing the movement around me. The conversation with Keyla had gotten to me deeply, leaving my head spinning with conflicting thoughts.
While I was lost in my thoughts, a hand gently touched my shoulder. I turned and saw Enrico, Ethan's brother, smiling kindly at me.
"Hello, Elisa. You look like you need some company. May I sit?" he said, indicating the seat beside me.
"Of course, Enrico. Be my guest," I replied, forcing a smile.
He sat down next to me and watched me for a moment before speaking.
"I can see that something is bothering you. If you want to vent, I'm here to listen," he said with a concerned look.
I took a deep breath before answering, pondering how to share my feelings with him, after all, he was Ethan's brother.
"You know, Enrico, this life I lead here... It's hard. I never chose this for myself. I was dragged into this situation because of my brother and now I'm stuck, with no choice, living by Ethan's rules," I vented, feeling a lump in my throat.
Enrico nodded understandingly, his eyes showing empathy.
"I understand perfectly. Life in the mafia is not easy, especially for women. But you are not alone, Elisa. If you need help or someone to talk to, I will be here for you," he said gently.
We continued talking and hours went by.
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