Chapter 133

“Serena, have you heard the news?” Lita asked as I walked down the stairs to hear what all this noise was about.

“What?” I asked, still half asleep. “That your brother got engaged and that Isobel is pregnant!” My dad spoke and pulled me in a hug. I suppose the news about Isobel’s dad being in charge again came out.

Beau looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. It was crazy to me how much these people cared about status. They didn’t want her with Beau just because she got disowned, but now that everything got turned back around, there was no problem.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” I played along with an awkward smile on my face. Everyone seemed so happy today, and I knew there was only one person to thank for that, Christian. If he did not help, things would’ve gone a bit different. He was indeed my hero. “Yes, apparently Aldo got his position back.” My dad spoke.

“Where were you yesterday? You were home late.” My dad asked. “Just out with a friend.” I smiled.

His curiosity was bothering me and I was not a teenager. What I did and where I was, was my business.

It wasn’t my plan to get home after midnight, but Christian and I had a great time together, and I missed his company.

Who would’ve ever thought that I would miss his stupid semi offensive comments?

“I want to talk with Christian. I heard he had a hand in all of this.” Matteo spoke, tensed. His words worried. me, and I was unsure of what to think. He seemed grateful, but at the same time, I knew he still didn’t want anything to do with him, but it was a great start.

My family forgiving Isobel in a heartbeat because her family got reinstated meant that they could most likely look past Christian and find it in their hearts to forgive him. There was a huge difference between. trying to get your daughter killed and your daughter getting cheated on. It wasn’t even comparable.

“Christian’s amazing, he’s following into uncle Lucio’s footsteps so as expected only he’s able to do something like that.” Carmen smiled, but all she got in returned from my dad was a glare. “That’s the least. he could do after embarrassing the family.” He growled.

So he was still angry.

“Look, ma’am, I found the pictures!” I heard an all-to-familiar voice walk into the kitchen. “Ma’am?

It’s mom now!” Lita smiled. Fake.

“Serena!” Isobel spoke and pulled me into a hug. “Hi?” I said, surprised, and returned the hug. A few weeks ago, she couldn’t even look me in the eye.

I forgave her, I was happy for her, and I was glad for Beau, but it wasn’t as if I was waiting to be best friends with her. This was all for Beau.

I was still traumatized by everything that had happened and knew that was on Isobel and Enzo, but I had a good heart. Christian was right. That was the issue with me. I was too good for this world.

“Congrats.” I smiled and put my acting skills to the test. “Come on, show me the pictures!” My mom spoke and pulled her away. How could a person be that fake? She used to despise her, but now that Isobel’s father had some power again, she behaved as if nothing happened.

“We’re going to Lucio’s family shoot, right?” I asked my dad after the others went to the living room.

“I can’t say no.” He mumbled. “I have a few more days to mentally prepare myself, so.”

The issue between the Alfonzo’s and the Lamberti’s was much bigger than the issue they used to have with Isobel. They were not comparable. It was obvious that the Alfonzo’s were looking for a reason to dislike Christian because they all saw him as a stuck-up brat, and after not only cheating on me but also threatening to get rid of them, he gave them a reason.

“No, we can’t. Lucio is counting on us.” I smiled. “And I thought we all agreed that he shouldn’t suffer because of all of this.”

“I know.” Matteo sighed. “Isobel should come too, right? Now that she’s part of the family.” Matteo folded his arms. So it seems my judgment was wrong. He still wasn’t that fond of her but was doing a pretty good job hiding his true feelings.

“Dad, what do you really think about her-”

“I don’t like that snake,” Matteo whispered before I could even finish my sentence. “I don’t want her to be part of this family, but Aldo got reinstated, so there’s not much I can do-that would only look bad on my side.” Matteo admitted. “I can accept the pregnancy and accept the proposal, but only because her grandfather forgave her.”

Once again, my thoughts went to Christian who was my lifesaver. There was nothing Matteo could do about it, which meant he couldn’t interfere with Beau’s happiness. That’s all I ever wished for.

“I don’t want Beau to cut ties with me.” He spoke. “I know we don’t see eye to eye, but he’s still and Alfonzo, he’s still my son and I’m just looking out for him. It’s because I love him and I want the best for him.”

“Then you tell him, dad.” I smiled. “Ever since we’ve come back, all of you made everything about me and completely abandoned him. He’s not some dog to take over your business. He’s human.”

“I know,” Matteo spoke. See, I could stand up against him, but something was holding me back from telling him about Christian. All I had to do was tell him the truth, but I couldn’t. I was scared, and I didn’t want to lose him. I wasn’t prepared to lose the same things as Christian.

“What’s on your mind?” Matteo asked. “Did I do something?” He asked, worried, as I shook my head. “No, it isn’t you I was trying to think of ways to test the waters to have a better image of what to do. “Christian gave me the ring to wear for the photo shoot, but it’s just to reassure Lucio,” I told Matteo and couldn’t miss the changed expression on his face.

“You saw Christian?” He asked, disappointed. I didn’t want to disappoint my family.

“No, his uh…cousin gave it to me.” I lied. Why did I lie? Why couldn’t I just tell him the truth? Who cared if he was disappointed?

“Oh, okay.” Matteo spoke as he cleared his throat. “I don’t want to hurt Lucio in any way and neither do you, so it makes sense.”

You’re already hurting him:

My thoughts got interrupted by the sound of my phone, and I had to hold back my vomit when I read the name, Daniela. This wouldn’t be nice.

“I have to take this one,” I told Matteo and made my way upstairs.

“Dani-”

“Do you know what that motherfucker, Christian has been up to?” She yelled through the phone as I removed it from my ear and made my way to the baby room. Her voice was so loud that she woke poor Siena.

“You mean the Isobel thing?” I asked and grabbed Siena from her crib. “Yes, what kind of game is he playing!”

“I don’t know.”I sighed. These girls made it obvious that they had my back, but if I told them the truth. they would drop me just as quickly, and the last thing I needed was more drama on top of a viral video.

“I’m sorry. Siena.” I pouted while I placed my phone on the nightstand. I couldn’t listen to Daniela’s nagging any longer.

I heard three knocks on the door and picked up the phone to mute the call. “Who’s there?” I asked.

The door opened, and Isobel walked in with a big smile on her face. At least someone was happy.

“Right on time, it’s your crazy cousin. Come sit down and listen.” I invited her over and patted the seat. next to me. Isobel frowned her eyebrows and sat down while she listened to Daniela’s words.

“She tried to kill you. I’m telling you that sick bitch is a psychopath!” Daniela yelled. “She has been like that ever since we were younger. Do you really think she likes your brother?”

Isobel was fuming and reached for the phone, but I reached out my hand before she could get to it.

“Serena, are you still listening!”

“Yes, yes, I’m still here!” I spoke as I unmuted the phone and held my finger in front of my lips. “I bet she got pregnant on purpose. She will dump your brother before you even get the time to blink-

because that’s the kind of person she is!”

“Uncle Aldo getting reinstated is almost just as bad as the possibility of you getting back together with Christian. It’s sick and twisted-”

“I have to go.” I interrupted her after seeing how the frown on Isobel’s face had changed to a sad look. “Siena woke up.”

“Oh, sure,” Daniela spoke as if nothing had happened. T’ll call you later!”

“Bye!”

“I’m sorry you had to hear that.” I rolled my eyes. “That’s okay.” Isobel smiled. “I guess we’re both a mess. I’m sorry for that comment about Christian.”

“C-Christian?” I stuttered. “Yes.” Isobel nodded. “Christian always tells me everything, and so does Beau- so it’s almost like there are no secrets between us.”

“Right.” I chuckled. “Christian and I are not back together. We’re just friends.”

“For now,” Isobel smirked. “For now,” I repeated. How would we ever get back together when everyone was so judgmental? Daniela already gave me her opinion. It was sick and twisted.

I thought I’d return Christian the favor, and I visited Cesca yesterday. Do you want to know what she said about you?” Isobel asked.

Hearing that she spoke to Cesca calmed me down. She couldn’t hate me any more than she used to hate Isobel, right?

I didn’t do anything wrong.

“So what did she say?”