Chapter 3 Erika

ERIKA'S P.O.V.

I lay in bed, my head filled with roaming thoughts. I had barely been able to sleep a wink throughout the night. The mere thought of being married to Liam Chapwood didn't sit well with me. Apart from the fact that he was a manwhore-Lord forgive my words-he also had no respect for women. Back in the day, I'd seen girls cry over how he had used and dumped them without a care in the world. That most certainly was not the kind of man I wanted for myself, nor was he the kind of father I wanted for my children. Children... I'd never thought I'd see the day when I would think about having children. Choosing to become a nun meant giving up being a wife and having children, and I was perfectly fine with it. If it meant not having a life like my mother's, I'd choose being a nun a thousand times and more. Although that was only a part of my reason for wanting to be a nun.

Soon enough, it was time for breakfast as I trudged down the stairs to see my family already gathered around the table, talking in hushed whispers as they ate. They all fell silent as soon as they sensed me.

"Please, don't stop on my account."

"Good morning, Mother and Father." I greeted my parents, giving them a tight-lipped smile while I made my way over to my Nana, leaning down and placing a kiss on her head while she rubbed my arm affectionately. "Good morning, Nana. Sleep well?"

"I did, Nipolita. How did you sleep?"

"Well, I slept well, Nana." I responded, scooping some food onto my plate. Lord, forgive me my lies. "So, would someone like to tell me what the whispering was all about?" Taking a bite of my eggs, I scanned the faces around me.

Clearing her throat, Mother gently placed her cutlery down, wiping the corners of her mouth. "I-we were hoping you'd come to a decision, darling. Concerning the issue of your marriage to Liam Chapwood. Perhaps you'd be interested in meeting him soon. Familiarize yourself with him; get to know each other. And just maybe, you would see that you're a perfect fit, dearest." She smiled eagerly.

Breathing deeply, I responded, "Mother, I...I was thinking, perhaps we could negotiate...I mean, speak to the Vitales? To give us more time to repay the loan?" I asked softly, disregarding Mother's earlier words. Speaking to the Vitales seemed to be the much better option than allowing Liam Chapwood to try to court me. The things he'd try, I internally cringed. Lord have mercy. Mother didn't seem to appreciate my disrespect as she scowled at me.

"Speaking to the Vitales is as good as asking for a death wish; the thought itself is as preposterous as it sounds. So I'm afraid, love, but that is out of the question." She retorted in a clipped tone, leaving no room for discussion.

Noticing my downcast look, Nana spoke up, "Adele, why don't we leave this conversation for another time?" We're at the table; we eat at the table. Not discussed. And besides, forcing Nipotina to meet with this loose lad, who, by the way, chases everything that wears a skirt and is a little weak upstairs, is nothing she'd look forward to. Spare the poor child, please." I giggled quietly, thankful for Nana's interference. It seemed Father shared the same opinion with me as he let out a chuckle, covered by a cough, when Mother cast a glare at him and then me.

"That is the thing, Mother; we do not have the luxury of time. We are at our wits end, so please, Mother." She snapped, turning her attention to me. "Now, you, my dear, will have to come up with another possible solution within the week on how we can tackle the matter at hand, or you will have no other choice than to court Liam, and that's final." She ended in a huff, returning to her meal. No one dared to counter her words; Mother could be very headstrong when she wanted to be, much like Nana. Silently, I glanced at Father, who remained silent, catching my eyes briefly before casting my gaze at Nana, whose face held a frown.

Sighing in defeat, my shoulders slumped as I picked at my meal until dinner was over.

Back in the safe confines of my room, I sat in the hanging hammock, which faced the window, giving me a beautiful view of the day and the streets, when I heard my door open and close. I could smell her scent before she even came into view.

Stretching her hands, I slipped my hands in hers while she pulled me up. "Oh, my poor darling." She cooed softly as she hugged me. Without wasting a second, I wrapped my arms around her, sniffing. Oh, how I needed this. She held me in her arms for a while and then broke the embrace, settling down on the bed while I sat back in the hammock.

"Talk to me." She placed a palm on my cheek comfortingly.

"I don't want to marry him, Nana; I don't want to marry anyone." I sobbed.

"I know, Nipotina, I know. I don't want you to marry him either. But sadly, your mother is right. The Chapwoods are the only ones who can save us from our debt, but not without getting something in return. Their son, however, has been a thorn in their flesh. Word has spread that he's been having children out of wedlock and bringing shame to the family. Getting married to you would be a way to redeem the family's name. Truthfully, I see no other way to save us from this impending doom."

Silence reigned between us as I let her words sink in, "But Nana, what if there's another solution? What if I... I speak to the Vitales?" She shook her head, waving her hand before me.

"No...no, Nipotina, you do not know what you're saying. If you're to talk to the Vitale's, then you'd have to talk to their leader. The Don Nipotina. He isn't a man to be messed with; he could hurt you or worse." She said shakily.

"Nana, if it's what needs to be, then I'd do it. I'd do it for the family."

"Do you even know who it is?" I shook my head. She took a deep breath before speaking, "The Don, the boss, is none other than Don Stefano Vitale."