Page 11 of The Billionaire's Vow

I bristled, walking past her. “I’m not handing over anything. That was a decision between me and Rocco. You’ll have to wait for your legacy baby.”

Mrs. Belfiore’s heels clicked on the marble behind me, catching up to me at the bottom of the spiral staircase. She jerked my arm. “Excuse me. I don’t appreciate your tone. Have you lost your manners?”

I stared down at her hand. “You’re hurting my arm.”

She let it go and dropped her arms.

I peered at her through my lashes. “This isn’t aboutmanners—it’s aboutobedience. I was told to dowhateverRocco wanted. Remember?”

She pursed her lips. “Sex is for procreation, not for promiscuity—”

“It’s forwhateverRocco wants,” I countered. “I’ve only done what you asked me, as I’ve always done.”

She frowned. “You’re also aware an heir is important to your agreement… I had this same conversation with my parents. It’s not something you have to handle alone. Or are you now thinking about abandoning your obligations?”

I didn’t answer immediately, allowing myself to play out where this line of conversation would lead. She’d banish me, and I’d welcome it if it was just me. However, Jacob would lose his home, and I’d never do that to him. “No, Mrs. Belfiore. I’ve been traveling for hours, and I’m tired.And grieving. I want to rest, please.”

She stepped closer and placed her hand across my forehead. “You’re warm.” Then she picked up my wrist and checked my pulse. I would have stopped her, but I was positively baffled by her concern. Then again, I was just a product to her. “You should rest.”

She took the lead upstairs, gesturing for me to take the same bedroom in the East Wing near theirs. It was just as beautiful and pristine as I remembered. All the oak furnishings were polished, and books lined in rows. My tote bag was already open, and Patricia placed my laptop on the table.

“Patricia, please run a warm bath for Adelina.”

“I can do that,” I called over to Patricia, but she left to follow my grandmother’s request. Mrs. Belfiore headed towards the door, and I stopped her. “Please, wait.”

She turned around.

I flicked my eyes at her and shifted my feet. “Are you okay? I mean…you knew Mr. Luca Marini.” My voice cracked.

She cleared her throat. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“Uhm…why didn’t you like him?”

Her chin raised. “I have my reasons. Why are you asking me about him?”

My brows knitted, and I huffed. “Why? Because you and Mr. Belfiore want me to marry his grandson, but you don’t even like him. I think it’s a fair question.” I placed my hands on my hips.

Her expression turned incredulous. “I don’t need to like Luca Marini. There are things more important to life than feelings. There’s duty, family, lineage—just to name a few.” She stared up at the ceiling and touched her throat. “I’m listening to myself, and I sound like my mother.” She gave me a wistful smile. “What I most admire about you, Adelina, is that you’re more practical than me and Lorelei. I want you to avoid the mistakes we made. Rocco’s an idealist with his head in the clouds. A movie studio could go bankrupt in a year, and then where would you be if that happened? He should’ve married you and followed through with his agreement, but he didn’t and left us with no choice.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

She sighed. “It means Rocco either marries you now, or he steps aside. Luca knew that all too well—he should have made that clear to his grandson. But here we are.” She gestured around the room.

I grimaced. “It’s not Rocco’s fault his grandfather died. They have to have a funeral. Surely you understand that?”

She nodded. “I do, but that’s where emotions get you. The wedding was set and everything was booked. The funeral could have taken place after. We had even scheduled our flight to arrive in four days, but instead they canceled the wedding, and in our world it means they are looking at other options. So we have plans of our own.”

My eyes narrowed on her. Mr. Belfiore already was unreasonable expecting the Marinis to celebrate after their beloved head died, but these plans were sending off warning alarms. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…you marrying Percy Sterling,” she said, averting her eyes. “He’s…he’s very keen.”

My stomach muscles twisted in knots. With everything else happening, I wasn’t prepared for this possible change. “But I’ve already signed papers to marry Rocco. You don’t even like Percy Sterling.”

“No, I don’t, Adelina,” she said flatly. “I detest Percy, but he’s from a good family with a great lineage. He’s willing to see past your time with Rocco, and he has even already agreed to give Jacob a trust, enough to cover his finances and care for the rest of his life. There’s enough for Jacob to move to an independent home with medical staff if he so desires.”

I lowered my head, unwilling to give her a hint of the joy that news brought me. They knew me too well and what I wanted most. The money would help Jacob have a real independence and never have to worry again. There was nothing I wanted more for him than that.

She closed the door behind her but my mind was stuck on her words.

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