Chapter 2 - THE HUSBAND WHO NEVER DIED
Marco didn't shout.
That frightened me more than shouting would have.
He simply removed his engagement ring from Celeste's finger and placed it on the table.
"Everyone except family and essential staff, please leave."
The guests began moving immediately.
Within minutes, the ballroom was nearly empty.
Celeste remained standing beside the table.
"You are humiliating me."
Marco looked at her.
"You told my father I was ashamed of him."
"Marco—"
"You locked him in his bedroom."
"He needed rest."
"You lied about his doctor."
Celeste opened her mouth.
Marco raised one hand.
"And now my sister tells me you're married."
Celeste looked toward Elena.
"She's always hated me."
Elena laughed bitterly.
"I barely knew you before you destroyed my life."
Marco turned.
"Explain everything."
Elena looked at Theo.
"Not in front of him."
I stepped forward.
"Mr. DeLuca, I can take Theo into the library. Frank might like to come too."
Frank shook his head.
"No. I stay."
His voice was weak, but his determination wasn't.
Marco nodded.
"Then Natalie, would you mind staying with them while Elena and I speak privately?"
I looked at Frank.
He squeezed my hand.
"Stay close, sweetheart."
I nodded.
Elena knelt before Theo.
"Go with Miss Natalie for a little while."
Theo looked toward Marco.
"Are you mad at Mommy?"
Marco's expression softened.
"No, buddy."
"Then why does everybody look sad?"
Marco swallowed.
"Because grown-ups sometimes make mistakes that take a long time to fix."
Theo thought about that.
Then held out his blue elephant.
"You can borrow Oliver. He helps."
Marco accepted the toy with trembling hands.
"Thank you."
I led Theo toward the library.
But as we passed Celeste, she leaned close enough for only me to hear.
"You've made a terrible mistake."
I stopped.
"By bringing his father downstairs?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"By thinking this family will protect you."
I looked at her.
Then continued walking.
I had no idea how prophetic those words would become.
Twenty minutes later, Marco found me in the library.
Theo had fallen asleep on the couch.
Frank sat beside him, gently stroking his hair.
Marco stood in the doorway.
"Natalie."
"Yes, sir?"
"Thank you for bringing my father downstairs."
I looked at Frank.
"He asked me to."
Marco nodded.
"Most people in this house would have obeyed Celeste."
I didn't answer.
He continued.
"You didn't."
"Your father deserved to attend his son's engagement dinner."
Marco looked toward Frank.
His father smiled sadly.
"You were always... stubborn, Marco."
Marco knelt beside him.
"Apparently, I learned from you."
Frank chuckled.
Then his expression changed.
"Elena... needs help."
Marco nodded.
"I know."
Frank gripped his son's wrist.
"Not money."
Marco looked up.
"What?"
Frank swallowed.
"She needs... someone to believe her."
And that was when I understood the real tragedy.
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Elena hadn't stayed away because she hated her family.
She had stayed away because someone had convinced her that her family hated her.
