Chapter 2: The Worst Decision She Ever Made
Maeve didn't move.
She couldn't.
Margaret's eyes dropped to the linens in her arms, then back to her face.
Slow.
Deliberate.
"Six weeks is not very long," Margaret said.
"Surgery like that costs money none of us seem to have right now."
Maeve's throat tightened.
"What are you asking me to do?"
"Nothing terrible." Margaret picked up her wine glass.
"Elias Marchetti needs a fiancée.
Sienna can't be that person anymore.
But someone still has to stand beside him at the Ferraro dinner next Friday."
"I'm a housekeeper."
"You're a young woman who knows how to be quiet and do what she's told." Margaret smiled again.
"That's exactly what this family needs right now."
Sienna turned away toward the window, as if the conversation no longer involved her.
Maeve looked at her.
"You're really going to let them do this?"
Sienna didn't answer.
"You'll say you're a distant cousin," Margaret continued.
"You'll attend one dinner.
Smile.
Say very little.
Then we find a graceful way to end the arrangement and everyone moves on."
"And my brother's surgery?"
Margaret set her glass down.
"Fully covered.
Every cent."
Maeve stared at the ring still sitting on the marble counter.
Twelve carats.
Cold under the kitchen light.
She thought about her brother.
She thought about the hospital bills already arriving by post.
May you like
Then she made the worst decision of her life.
And the best one.
