Chapter 5 - The Family Test
Sunday dinner at Elena Rossi's estate was never casual.
Isabella realized that immediately.
Matteo had warned her.
“My family can be difficult.”
“How difficult?”
“My grandmother likes you.”
“That wasn't reassuring.”
Now Isabella understood why.
Twenty people sat around a long dining table beneath crystal chandeliers.
Matteo sat beside her.
His grandmother Elena sat at the head.
Carlo Rossi sat opposite them.
Carlo lifted his wineglass.
“So you're the famous Isabella.”
“Apparently.”
“I hear you rejected Matteo.”
“Once.”
Matteo glanced sideways.
“Technically twice.”
Isabella whispered, “You're counting?”
“Absolutely.”
Carlo smiled.
“And now?”
“Now we're having dinner.”
“With the family.”
“Yes.”
“That's usually serious.”
Isabella put down her fork.
“Are you asking whether I'm marrying your nephew?”
Matteo nearly choked on his wine.
Carlo smiled.
“Direct.”
“I prefer efficient conversations.”
Elena Rossi hid a smile.
Carlo leaned back.
“What exactly do you want from Matteo?”
Matteo's expression changed.
“Carlo.”
Isabella touched Matteo's arm.
“No. It's fine.”
She looked directly at Carlo.
“Nothing.”
“Nobody wants nothing.”
“I want his time.”
Carlo smiled dismissively.
“His time is worth more than most people's houses.”
Isabella's expression cooled.
“That sentence tells me more about you than him.”
The table went silent.
Carlo's smile vanished.
Matteo stared at Isabella.
Elena quietly continued eating.
Carlo leaned forward.
“You understand the Rossi family isn't ordinary.”
“Clearly.”
“Our reputation has consequences.”
“I know.”
“And you think you can simply enter Matteo's life without understanding those consequences?”
Isabella answered calmly.
“I’m not entering the Rossi family business.”
“You don't get to separate the man from the name.”
Isabella glanced at Matteo.
Then back at Carlo.
“Maybe that's the problem.”
Carlo stiffened.
Matteo finally spoke.
“Enough.”
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
The entire table fell silent.
Matteo looked at his uncle.
“Isabella is here because I invited her.”
Carlo said, “I'm protecting you.”
“No. You're testing her.”
“For good reason.”
“I didn't ask you to.”
Carlo leaned back.
“You're changing.”
Matteo looked at Isabella.
Then answered.
“Yes.”
Carlo's eyes narrowed.
“That should concern you.”
“It doesn't.”
Dinner continued.
Later, Isabella stood on the terrace overlooking the gardens.
Matteo joined her.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You're lying.”
“A little.”
He leaned against the stone railing.
“You didn't deserve that.”
“I knew your family would be suspicious.”
“Carlo had no right.”
“He loves you.”
“That doesn't excuse it.”
“No.”
Isabella looked toward him.
“But neither does pretending your world doesn't exist.”
Matteo's expression changed.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I can handle uncomfortable dinners.”
“And?”
“I can't handle being kept in the dark.”
Matteo went still.
“About what?”
“Your reputation.”
He said nothing.
“I don't need details,” Isabella continued. “I don't want details. But I need to know whether being with you means constantly looking over my shoulder.”
Matteo stared into the garden.
Finally he answered.
“My family has influence outside normal business.”
“I know.”
“I've spent years moving our legitimate companies away from that.”
“But?”
“Some old relationships don't disappear because you want them to.”
Isabella nodded slowly.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Telling me the truth.”
“You're not leaving?”
“I didn't say that.”
Matteo looked at her.
She smiled slightly.
“But I'm not leaving tonight.”
He relaxed.
Then Isabella noticed something.
“You were worried.”
“I don't worry.”
“Matteo.”
“I was extremely concerned.”
“Growth.”
He smiled.
From the doorway, Elena Rossi watched them.
Later, after Isabella left, Elena found Matteo alone.
“You love her.”
Matteo turned.
“No.”
Elena smiled.
“You've always been a terrible liar.”
“We've been dating six weeks.”
“And?”
“That’s too soon.”
“For what?”
Matteo didn't answer.
Elena approached him.
“You know what your problem is?”
“I suspect you're about to tell me.”
“You've spent your life believing love is another negotiation.”
Matteo looked toward the driveway where Isabella's car had disappeared.
“And it isn't?”
“No.”
Elena smiled.
May you like
“It's the one deal where control guarantees failure.”
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