“Elenora, you look lovely.” Dad’s voice was weaker than ever, his breaths too shallow. He did his best to sit up straighter and study my pretty bride. “I’m so happy you’ve chosen to marry my son.”

I felt her fingers flex on my arm at my father’s choice of words. No, she hadn’t chosen this. But it hadn’t been my preference either.

Other than that small twitch of her hand, Nora’s appearance remained composed, the perfect image of a serene young woman who was happy with her fate. Unease stirred in my gut. No, I didn’t like this strange side of my new wife. She barely seemed to have a soul, much less a will of her own.

Had I done this to her?

“I’m disappointed that you eloped, Luca.” My father called my attention away from my concerns over Nora’s behavior. “Even if I am pleased with your choice of bride.”

His disappointment needled at me, but I kept my head held high. My father’s pride and acceptance meant everything to me, even if there was no love between us. He had strict expectations of me, and I’d worked for my entire life to meet every one of them. I’d been determined to earn my birthright, no matter the cost.

“I didn’t want to bother you with a big wedding,” I lied smoothly before shooting a sharp look at Nora’s father. “Giuseppe offered his daughter in marriage yesterday, and I didn’t want to wait. This way, you can see me married.”

Dad would witness the promise of the next generation, even if he wouldn’t survive long enough to one day meet my son. That would bring him some comfort on his deathbed. For all my father’s sins, I respected him, and he deserved a dignified end.

“I’d like a private word with you, Luca,” Giuseppe said. He glanced at my father. “I need to talk to him about his responsibilities to my daughter. The wedding happened so quickly that we didn’t have time for a proper discussion.”

Dad wheezed a laugh, not noticing the tension between me and his best friend. “He surprised you with the elopement too,” he surmised, waving his hand to dismiss us. “Don’t give him too hard a time, Giuseppe. This is a happy occasion, seeing our families truly united.”

I glanced down at Nora, who had remained dutifully silent while the men talked. It was as though she wasn’t even a person, a beautiful statue. She’d railed at me for treating her like a possession rather than a woman with her own thoughts and feelings, and now she was acting like no more than a pretty accessory at my side.

Was this her way of psychologically punishing me for how I’d treated her? By making me feel like the bad guy here? Surely, I hadn’t actually broken her.

Monster. Her accusation snaked through my mind.

I shook off the dark thoughts. I could deal with my wife’s strange demeanor later. If she was trying to be passive aggressive, she would regret it. I valued honesty, and I wouldn’t tolerate this kind of deceitful behavior. She wasn’t acting like her true self, and I didn’t like it.