"Oh my, listen to me rambling. It must be my age." She pressed a hand to her chest in mock embarrassment. "Mia, have you met Vanessa properly? She's my goddaughter. She and Xavier grew up together, practically raised side by side. I've heard you've been making a fuss at home because of her, but Vanessa is like a sister to Xavier. You really shouldn't throw tantrums out of jealousy."
She tilted her head, the chandelier light catching the pearls at her throat.
"They've always been this close. You simply need to trust your husband a little more and stop keeping tabs on his every move."
Colino Ferrara spoke up from across the table, a smug, self-satisfied look plastered across his face. He was the one who had championed the "perfect match" between Xavier and Vanessa from the beginning. He was also the one who, behind closed doors, had given me the nickname l'intrusa. The intruder.
"Auntie is absolutely right. Vanessa was only doing you a favor by being around."
He leaned back in his chair, swirling his drink.