Page 51 of Vicious Union
“That’s ok. We can learn together.”
“Just come on. We’re going home.”
We don’t say anything on the car ride back home, which is a surprise. Normally, it takes a lot to shut Caterina up.
When we pull up to the house, I spot Francesco standing outside. He waves at us.
“Dad?” Caterina asks, getting out of the car and walking over to him. He wraps her in a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too,” he says, pulling back. “I wanted to see my daughter after getting back from her honeymoon. But I knocked, and no one was home, so I was about to leave when you guys pulled up. How are things?”
“Your daughter was a club,” I blurt out before I can help myself. I’m still angry with her for doing something so stupid. I’m also a little angry with myself for not knowing Caterina would do something stupid.
Caterina tenses. “What he means is?—”
“She was at a club,” I repeat. “She loved doing it before we even married if you want to know. She’d sneak out of your house and flirt with men at clubs.”
Francesca looks between Caterina and me, a frown on his face. “Is this true, pumpkin?”
“No, Daddy,” she says. “You know it’s not. I’m your good girl.” She shoots me a glare.
“I’m telling the truth, Francesco. Your daughter loves getting into trouble, and she got into more trouble tonight. I’m telling you because I’m tired of it.”
Francesco steps away from Caterina. “How could you do that, pumpkin?”
“Daddy, please.”
He shakes his head. “No. You lied to me. You never told me you were going off to clubs while living under my roof. I’m … disappointed in you.” She flinches. “I’m hurt by you.” He walks away.
“Where are you going?” she calls out.
“I’m going home before I say anything I might regret.” He gives Caterina a pained expression before getting into his car.
Caterina whirls onto me. “How could you tell him?”
“If it gets you to stop doing stupid things, then I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out before she storms into the house. I follow. “My dad was never supposed to know.”
“Well, now, he does. And it’s time you’re held accountable for your actions. Clearly, spanking you hasn’t worked. You like it too much. So, I told your father, and I don’t regret it. You need to learn your lesson, Caterina. I am your husband. You will listen to me. You will do as I say.”
“You can’t come back from this; you know that, right?”
I don’t know how to respond to that.
Caterina gives me one more glare before running upstairs.
I’m left standing in the foyer. I lied about one thing. I said I didn’t regret telling Francesco. At the moment, it felt good.
But now, I hate how I feel. Did I just ruin the little bit of hope Caterina and I had in our marriage?
I think I did.
And I feel … sad about it. Sad in a way I never thought I’d feel when it came to Caterina. She’s taken hold of me in ways I never expected. I can’t shake her off.
But what is done is done. Francesco now knows his precious daughter was lying to him. Hopefully, Caterina will wake up and become the wife I want.
I refuse to bend or break. That’s not the kind of man I am. It’s not the kind of man I’ll ever be.