Page 11 of Condemned to You

“Bethany’s big brother Luca has a few words.”

I gulped as I watched Luca take the mic from the DJ. His stare bored into me, and it sent chills down my spine. It was like the calm before a storm except I didn’t know what storm was coming. There was an uneasiness that disturbed me yet I didn’t know where it stemmed from. It wasn’t the usual look of pain in his eyes but one of fear.

“To my little sister, Bethany,” Luca spoke so calmly. “May you always find happiness. To many more celebrations. Happy birthday.” He raised his glass and everyone did the same as they cheered to me.

“Picture!” Isabelle screeched as she got us all together.

I stood in between my brother and mother with my sisters at both ends as we smiled at the camera. Flash. Flash. Flash. The more camera lights that went off the blinder I was getting. By the time I regained a clear vision, everyone had disbursed.

“Hey,” Alfie came up behind me. “Gotta head out. Rosa said she’ll take you home.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. Just enjoy your party.”

Before I could question him, Alfie was gone. He practically sprinted toward Luca and they both exited the venue.

The remainder of the night was fun, and I realized how much being around people helped lift my spirits – or maybe it was the alcohol. When I was dropped off at the empty house, all the lights were out except the one in the foyer. Part of me hoped I’d find someone there waiting for me other than a housemaid.

As I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, I knew it was going to be another sleepless night. Getting out of bed, I walked to my dresser and dug out the burner phone that I used to communicate with Emilio. I kept it charged. There was one voicemail Emilio had left on there by accident. He had called the phone and it recorded him singing to a song in the car. I never told him about it but I was so happy to have kept it. On my worst days, I listen to it but I knew starting over that I would need to let it go.

Staring at the phone in my hand, I debated whether to get rid of it. Suddenly it rang, startling me. I dropped to the floor as a blocked number called it. The only person who knew the number was Emilio. My heart was beating out my chest as I reached for it. I was expecting a wrong number but when I heard his voice, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

“Happy Birthday sweetheart.”

Chapter Seven

I heard her gasp in realization then it went silent for a few seconds before Bethany spoke.

“You’re alive,” she whispered in almost a cry.

“I’m breathing if that’s what you mean.”

She began to silently sob, “I thought you were dead.”

“I wasn’t sure if you still had the burner phone but I just needed to hear your voice,” I confessed. “I’m losing my mind over here.”

“I miss you,” Bethany sniffled.

“Everything okay over there?”

“It is now.”

“Are you alone?”

“I’m alone. Pio is on a work trip.”

“On your birthday?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time. He threw me a big party to make up for it.”

“Luca hasn’t locked you up in a tower,” I joked but my smile faded when Bethany went silent. “B? You there?”

“I never want to hear his name.”

The vileness in her voice could cut the tension in the air. Sadly, it was evident that she had cut Luca out of her life for good.

“Then tell me what you want to hear.”