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I nervously drag my hand through my knotted ponytail.

God, what must I look like?

I take another sip of my rocket fuel. Jesus Christ. Who drinks this shit for fun?

“I might just put some sugar in it, if that’s okay?” I say nervously.

“Too strong for you?”

“Yes.” I force a smile. “A little.” Too strong for human consumption, actually. This stuff would kill a dog.

Her eyes drop to my engagement ring.

I wait for her to say something. Please say something.

“So, you’re engaged?”

Oh, shit. Not what I was hoping to hear. “Yes.”

Her eyes rise and hold mine for an extended time.

I twist my fingers in my lap as I wait for her to elaborate, which she doesn’t.

“You’re unhappy about it?” I ask.

She rolls her lips and looks away from me. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat.

“As long as Enrico is happy, I am happy.” She eventually sighs.

“But you would rather he was marrying someone else…” Her eyes drop to the kitchen counter. “You want him to marry an Italian?”

“Yes,” she replies with no emotion.

“Me, too.”

She frowns up at me.

“I wish we didn’t fall in love,” I reply sadly. “Because then I wouldn’t have to choose between my family, my country, and the man that I love.”

Her eyes search mine.

“It’s not ideal.” I sip the caffeinated poison. “I know that I have to give everything up to live here if I want to be with Enrico. He’s made it very clear that he will never leave Italy.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

I shrug. “I don’t have a choice.”

We sit in silence for a while before she eventually speaks. “I just wanted my grandchildren to be…”

“Italian?” I answer for her. She nods sadly.

“Bianca, I know I’m not Italian, and I know I’m not your choice of a daughter-in-law, but I need you.”

Her eyes hold mine.

“You and Francesca will be the only family I will have. I have to leave mine to become a Ferrara.” Emotion suddenly overwhelms me at the prospect of leaving my family forever, and my eyes fill with tears. “Believe me, I would not choose to leave my country for love, but love chose me, and I have to make the most of it. We can’t live without each other. We tried, and it didn’t work.”

Her shoulders slump. “It’s nothing personal, Olivia.”