Chapter 8 Valerie will stay with us...

Ava

I was confused, beyond confused. Nothing made any sense. I thought I could finally understand why Caleb married me, I thought I could come to terms with it and accept my fate. After all, it wasn't so bad. We may have only known each other for twenty-four hours but Caleb treated me way nicer than Bryce ever did.

His family was scary, but thank goodness he didn't love with them. All I had to do was keep being his wife and have as many kids as he wants.

That sounded messed up to me, but it was my reality.

Or so I thought!

It took me a lot of courage to ask him to sleep with me. I expected him to jump at the opportunity since he was more than ready the night before, I didn't expect him to turn me down flat or even walk away looking so angry.

I was confused. If he didn't need me to have his children because that's what his family wants, then why did he marry me? That question still had no answer.

I returned to my room after Caleb left and surprisingly, I sleep like a log. I couldn't tell if Caleb returned that night or not and I didn't bother to check. If he was mad at me, then I had to stay out of his sight.

Since I skipped dinner, I was starving by the time I woke up. I made my way downstairs to the kitchen and Gia already had breakfast ready.

"Good morning." She said to me, all smiles. I returned her smile.

"Good morning. This looks good."

"It's all for you."

All for me?

"Caleb isn't home?"

She shook her head.

"The maids said he didn't return last night. Usually when he sleeps out, we expect him around brunch time."

Was it really usual or did he sleep out because he was mad at me?

I didn't bother asking and ate my breakfast quietly. After breakfast, I had nothing to do, except worry that I didn't have a change of clothes.

While we were at Caleb's family house, someone washed my white dress and that was the only reason why it was clean. I didn't know if I could ask Caleb to let me return home and pick up a few other clothes.

It was as if the universe told Bryce I was thinking about his property, because just as I left the kitchen to return to my room, I saw him walking in through the front door.

I froze.

He grinned sinisterly as he saw me, giving me a once-over.

"Would you look at that! I thought you'd be dead or locked up somewhere, but you're actually roaming about freely."

I backed away as he approached me, too scared to say anything.

"Looks like the bruises I gave you are all gone now." He chuckled. "Your skin is clear again, kind of tempting it add a few extra."

He grabbed me and I yelped, praying for someone, anyone to intervene and help me out. The maids? Gia?

"Oh, you're trembling. Are you scared?" His wicked grin only grew wider and his grip on me tightened.

Tears stung my eyes... I was completely at his mercy.

"Hey! Who are you?!" I heard an unfamiliar voice yell and I whimpered in relief.

I'm saved.

There was a young woman standing in the doorway of the front door, glaring at Bryce. I've never seen her before, but somehow she looked familiar.

Maybe it was because her clothes and the way she carried herself reminded me so much of Caleb's family members. And I knew I was right when Nonna walked in behind the young woman, confused.

Bryce let go of me immediately and I saw the fear grip him. So, he knew who they were.

"What's going on?" Nonna asked, still looking confused.

The young woman said something in Italian and Nonna glared at Bryce too.

"You're harassing my granddaughter in-law?" She asked in such a hard tone, it scared even me.

"No... No. I was only talking to her. She's my sister, we know each other."

His sister?! That was the first he's ever referred to me as his sister and not his step-sister. Caleb's Nonna had to be well-known if she could put so much fear in him.

"Ava, is this true?" Nonna asked me.

I was tempted to say it wasn't and get Bryce what he deserves, but Nonna wouldn't always be there, he could get back at me later.

I couldn't risk it.

"Yes, he's my brother. We were just talking."

"Bugiardo!" The young woman snapped and came over to me, grabbing my hand and holding it up.

"Nonna, he was hurting her. Look at this."

Damn, my pale skin! It was already turning red.

Nonna's eyes flared up and I knew I was also in trouble.

She cursed in Italian and then said something to the younger woman who ordered Bryce to follow her and he reluctantly obeyed her.

Nonna came over to meet me.

"I want the truth, Ava. Tell me everything and don't leave anything out."

I shuddered.

"I'm sorry. He is my stepbrother, and yes he was gripping my hand tightly..."

"Not about that moron, about you and Caleb."

My heart skipped a beat.

"What?"

"I want to know what your real relationship is."

Why was she suddenly asking that?

"We're married."

"Then it's true you're married. What about Valerie?"

"What about her?"

She cursed in Italian again and I was scared I made her mad, but when she looked at me again, her gaze softened.

"Come, let's sit." She took my hand gently and led me to the couch in the living room, sitting next to me.

"Why did Caleb marry you? Were you together?"

Now, I was in a dilemma. Caleb asked me to pretend that we were in a love marriage because of the women, but she was giving me a look that she already knew what the truth was. How was I supposed to wiggle my way out of that?

The young woman joined us then, sitting across from us and smiling sweetly at me.

"She is Bella, my granddaughter, Caleb's sister."

"Stepsister, Nonna." Bella corrected and Nonna waved it aside.

"Ava, I think I understand the situation here. That boy has done something foolish and dragged you into it."

"What are you talking about?"

She shook her head. "I'll be honest with you, cara, I really like you, more than that girl Valerie. I was glad when I heard Caleb got married and it isn't to her. I already have my hands full with her cousin, Nadia, if she came into our family, it would just become a battlefield."

"Isn't that what will happen now?" Bella asked.

I was still very lost and didn't understand what was happening.

"Hush, Bella. This is just a misunderstanding and I'm sure Caleb will find a way to clear it up. In the meantime," Nonna trailed off, taking both my hands in hers. "I'm on your side, Ava. Feel free to come to me whenever you need my help."

"Oh, me too. I'm definitely rooting for you." Bella said with a grin.

Why weren't they trying to help me understand what the hell was going on?

Nonna turned to Bella and asked her something in Italian to which Bella also replied in Italian. Nonna nodded and then got up. Bella and I got up as well.

"We've taken care of your brother. If he values his life, he won't bother you anymore."

Whoa!

"Urh... Thank you."

"We only came here to tell you that. Take care, alright?" Nonna hugged me briefly and then she left with Bella.

Left me more confused than I was before they arrived.

My confusion got cleared up soon though, when Caleb came home a few hours later and came into my room.

He looked angry but I didn't feel like he was mad at me, and his tone was also soft when he spoke.

"Valerie will stay here with us for a little while."

My heart dropped hard in my chest.