Page 46 of Fierce Hearts

"Hospital work is tiring I imagine," Ernesto said as he stepped inside, his tone bordering on sarcastic, but I let it go.

"Can I offer you something to drink?" I asked, falling back on the hospitality drilled into me since childhood.

"Vodka. On the rocks," he replied, following me to the living room.

I moved to the kitchen, my heart thundering but my hands steady as I poured his drink. I handed it to him, remaining standing as he settled onto my couch, arching a brow at the wine bottle I'd left there.

"I need to know you're definitely on board with this marriage arrangement," he said without preamble, swirling the ice in his glass.

"I'm still in shock," I admitted, which wasn't a lie.

"Juan Ference will be making his engagement announcement soon," Ernesto said, his tone clear that this wasn't up for debate. "You're expected to see him tomorrow for the in-person proposal. He has a ring."

Tomorrow.

My heart lurched into my throat, and I spotted my phone on the coffee table lighting up with Meredith's name. Why was she calling so soon?

Please don't come back inside.

Ernesto's expression hardened as he caught my gaze. "Remember what we discussed, Sofia. The people you love. Your job." He took a sip of his vodka. "If your workplace learned who you really are, you'd never work there again."

"This marriage will take me away from it all anyway," I countered, finding a spark of defiance despite the heaviness of it all. "I'll be expected to go with Juan back to Vintmere."

"Perhaps Juan will allow you to continue working in a hospital there," Ernesto said. "You could still visit your friends. I can make sure it's part of the marriage agreement."

The marriage agreement? Right, this was a contract of sorts, so there'd be something written up that was binding for both families.

How sweet.

My mind was fixed on the baby growing inside me now though, how I needed to get a handle on this as well.

The doorbell rang again, dragging my gaze away from Ernesto. I didn't want to grab my phone and get any closer to him than necessary. Besides, Meredith had called, so perhaps she was checking on me despite my desire for her to leave.

Why couldn't she stick to her word this once? To actually go and not put herself at risk?

If he threatened Meredith, the Donati family would get rid of him.

I shoved that selfish, dark thought aside. It'd lead to a war and too much death, but did the thought of Ernesto disappearing tempt me? Yes.

I excused myself, keeping my movements slow and measured. I pulled the door open, ready to hiss at Meredith to get away from here, only to freeze when I found Grayson standing there.

"Are you okay?" Before I could answer, his gaze shifted past me. "I know your uncle is here."

So Meredith had likely been trying to give me the heads up. Now I wasn't sure what was worse.

"Now isn't a good time," I said as I glanced over my shoulder.

"Sof, I need to know what's going. You're keeping things from me, just tell me the truth," he said as his eyes met mine once more.

"I'll call you later, okay?" I said in a sharp whisper. "I need to figure all of this out."

His eyes searched mine, and whatever he was looking for, he found. His mouth set in a grim line as he sighed.

"I'd like to speak with Ernesto."

"Gray, no, please. Just go." I tried to block his entry, but then I felt an unsettling presence behind me, and my stomach dropped.

"Who is this?" my uncle asked, his voice deceptively pleasant.

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