She's tall. Elegant. Silver hair and a face that's still beautiful despite her age.
Aria Sartori.
She turns as I descend the stairs. Her eyes sweep over me. Assessing.
I keep my chin up. My steps steady.
Bruno watches me too. His expression is unreadable.
I reach the bottom of the stairs.
"Mother," Bruno says. "This is Antonella. My wife."
Aria doesn't smile. Doesn't offer her hand.
She just looks at me.
The silence stretches.
I wait.
Please be kind,I think.Please, just this once, let something in this family be easy.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Bruno
My mother loves her.
I watch it happen in real time. The way Antonella smiles. The way she answers questions without hesitation. The way she touches my mother's arm when she laughs at something Aria says.
Within twenty minutes, my mother is completely charmed.
"You must come to tea with my friends," Aria says. She's holding Antonella's hands now. Both of them. Like they've known each other for years instead of minutes. "Elena and Francesca have been asking about Bruno's wife. They'll adore you."
"I'd love that," Antonella says.
She means it. I can tell she means it.
Either she's the best actress I've ever seen, or she just makes people love her without even trying.
I think it's the second one.
"We'll go tomorrow," Aria continues. "I'll call Elena tonight. She hosts the most wonderful lunches. You'll meet everyone."
"That sounds perfect."
My mother beams. Actually beams.
I can't remember the last time I saw her smile like that.
"Bruno." Aria turns to me. Her eyes are bright. "She's wonderful. Absolutely wonderful."
I don't know what to say.
"Thank you," I manage.
"Don't thank me. Thank whatever fate brought her to you." Aria squeezes Antonella's hands again. "I was so worried. When Nico called and told me about the wedding, about your plans to become Don again... I thought perhaps you were rushing into something foolish."