Page 28 of Her Cruel One-Sided Love

Four

Troppe veloce.Everything was happening too, too fast again, and in what seemed like a mere snap ofLa Strega'sfingers, Ysabel found herself inside another vehicle, but face to face this time with Boston's ruling queen.

Khaleesi.

The girl seated next toLa Stregasuddenly coughed, and hers was a familiar face. The world in whichfamiglieoperated was small; everyone knew everyone, and if Ysabel wasn't mistaken, the younger woman's name was Cattleya, and she had been working for the Marchetti family since her teenage years.

"Mi dispiace."Cattleya's voice was almost ethereal in its calmness, which was just to be expected from someone working for the likes ofLa Strega,who was also known for displaying nerves of steel even under the most dangerous circumstances.

The thought had Ysabel stealing another look at Massimo's grandmother, and it was a genuine struggle not to appear starstruck in her presence.

The older woman was a picture of refinement with her coiffed silver hair and a string of pearls around her neck. If rumors were to be believed, those shiny expensive orbs were harvested from the same company that designed the pearl-handled revolverLa Stregahad used to kill those who had murdered her husband and only son.

"May I call you Ysabel,signorina?"

Ysabel's back shot ramrod straight at suddenly being spoken to by Massimo's grandmother, and she ended up half-stammering in her nervousness."Sì, La Strega—-" Horror ate her alive when she realized what she had slipped."Mi sculto molto, signora! Chiedo perdono!" I'm so sorry, please forgive me!

Why did her mouth keep getting her into trouble? How could she be so stupid and careless as to call Boston's queen awitchto her face, which was what'strega'translated to in English?

Ysabel was ready to be punished on the spot, but the older woman merely cackled while her companion only shook her head.

"SignoraMarchetti actually takes pride in being calledLa Strega,so please do not worry about it,signorina."

Ysabel could only smile weakly, not knowing exactly how to respond. On one hand, it was nice to know that she had not inadvertently insulted Massimo's grandmother. But on the other hand, finding out thatLa Stregatook pride in being called a 'witch' only made her more formidable in Ysabel's eyes...and just as with mostfamigliabusiness, she wasn't quite sure if that was a good thing or not.

"My assistant speaks the truth, Ysabel. I am not easily offended, if that's what you are worried about." The older woman's gaze then turned cunning. "But perhaps I'm wrong, and you are worried about something else? Maybe you are wondering why I chose you over your sister?"

"I know it's not my place to ask—-"

"But it bothers you all the same,sì?"

"I feel guilty—-"

"And that is quite remarkable of you," Potenziana said archly, "considering how your own flesh and blood has stolen my grandson from you five years ago."

Ysabel jerked in her seat.Stolen?

"It is unfortunate that I was only made aware of this recently. I would have rectified the situation immediately if I had known—-"

Ysabel shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand what you're saying,signora."

"Five years ago, Massimo met a girl on Halloween night. He believes that girl...is your sister."

Pain ripped through Ysabel at the older woman's words. There was a part of her that had always suspected this, but she had never allowed such doubts to take root.

"How?" Ysabel whispered.

"I'm afraid that's where I come in,signorina." It was Cattleya who spoke, and her calm voice was now tinged with regret. "I was at Mammina's a few months ago—-"

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