Chapter 18

I could hear Antonia snickering behind me, sounding as if she was mocking me because I was about to become a victim to her schemes again. I ignored her and continued staring at Marco stubbornly. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling that he was different from everyone else. Marco and I had grown up together. As he had promised me in the past, I believed he wouldn't betray me. He approached us until he was standing right next to me. He suddenly grabbed my hand and lifted it before brushing his fingers lightly across it. "Did you hurt your hand?" he asked in a voice that was overflowing with gentleness. "You should let me deal with something like this in the future." Marco didn't spare Antonia a single glance as he pulled open the car door and ushered me inside, preparing to take me home. "Zio Marco!" Antonia dropped the act and scrambled up to her feet. She rushed toward us and nearly shoved the invitation into Marco's hands. "My engagement banquet is in three days. I'd like to