"I'll be expecting you," she added.
"I have important things to do," I said, brushing past her. Truth was, I couldn't stand being around her anymore. Or any of them.
After settling the hospital matter, I went back to the compound. My phone pinged while I was getting back to my duties.
It was a message from my father.
[How long are you going to ignore us? You're being stubborn and ungrateful! Just because you're married doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! You never think of your parents—that's why Dante died! Elena is better than you. Be at my birthday. I'll be expecting you.]
I replied: [Okay.]
It had been five years since I last set foot on DeLuca turf. They didn't even attend my wedding. But when it was Elena's wedding? They were all there, all smiles, kissing cheeks and raising glasses. She got their blessings. I got silence.
Even inside the Moretti compound, I never felt like I belonged. My parents always doted on my younger sister. I spent years trying to earn just a sliver of their attention. But I could never compete. Elena always outshone me.
Bitterness clung to the back of my throat.