Page 50 of Broken Princess

I'm still having trouble figuring out what I believe, but I can't help the feeling that Stefan is telling me the truth. Even if it does mean my entire world is going to be tipped on its head again.

"Do you believe that?" I finally ask. "That she's your sister?"

"I don't know," he admits. "It would certainly explain a lot, but I can't be sure without a DNA test or something. And even then, it would only prove that we're related by blood. It doesn't necessarily mean that she's my sister."

"No," I agree quietly. "It doesn't."

"All that to answer your question about why he might not care as much about Kayleigh marrying Lorenzo," he continues. "I can't say for sure, but it's one possibility."

"Yeah... I guess it is," I say, clearing my throat since it's suddenly gone a bit scratchy. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that my father married Natalie for her family connections, but it's starting to make more and more sense the more Stefan tells me.

"But you know what I think?" he asks after a moment of silence.

I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak.

"I think that regardless of whether Kayleigh is or isn't his biological daughter, you're special to him," he says in a softening tone. "If he's anything like my father, he doesn't show it very well. Not to you. Not when it counts, but after talking with him, I can tell without a doubt that he loves you. That heknowsyou're special, and that's one thing we can both agree on. I think coming so close to losing you was the wake-up call he needed to realize just how wrong he's been. About a lot of things."

I'm quiet for a long time, digesting his words. My father has always been a stubborn man, set in his ways. He's the type who would rather suffer through misery than change his mind. But maybe, just maybe, Stefan is right, and he's starting to realize he's been wrong.

I'm still not sure where that leaves me. Or Lorenzo, for that matter.

"I… I'm tired," I finally say, not trusting myself to say anything else. "I think I should get some rest."

"Okay," Stefan says, his voice laced with concern. "I'll see you soon?"

Considering the fact that the wedding plans are about to be in full swing, there's probably no avoiding that. I nod and then slip out of the room, my heart heavy with everything that's been said tonight. It's a lot to take in, and I'm not sure what to think about any of it.

But one thing is for sure. Things are never going to be the same again.

CHAPTER 23

LORENZO

Ispent a week away after the disastrous conversation I had with my father about calling off my engagement to Kayleigh, but even though I'm back in New York, I'm still not any closer to having a clearer head on the matter.

I feel trapped.

Iamtrapped.

I'm the most feared mafioso at the academy, set to inherit the throne of one of the most powerful families, and nothing is off limits to me. Nothing but the one thing I actually want.

The one person I actually want. Even now. Even knowing she's carrying another man's baby, my heart just won't let me walk away from her. And yet, what choice do I really have?

She's already made her decision. That means mine was made for me, but why don't I believe it?

Why can't I accept it?

It might be easier to do what I have to do if I could. To commit myself to a loveless marriage with a woman I can barely stand. By far the worst part would be being this close to Amelia, knowing I can't have her. Knowing she isn't mine and never will be.

The very thought makes my blood boil, but what can I do?

Nothing.

Nothing except trying to forget her. Trying to move on and hoping that someday, somehow, I'll be able to.

It's a pipe dream, and I know it. But it's all I have.

How could things have gone so wrong?

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