Chapter 45 - Scandalous Women

There are always few women in our community that we people categorize as 'scandalous women', despite knowing their truth. Ginevra Scuderi or Ginevra Russo was one of those women. She was cast out of her community which was known for producing 'fine Italian women' or 'spineless and meek cows' after she married out of her community. Though her husband was Italian which was her only saving grace and it was also the only reason why she was allowed to come back to her parent's house once in a while. 

Ginevra crushed the remaining cigarette against the railing of the balcony and refreshed her mouth so those fine ladies wouldn't call her uncouth for smoking which was a man's habit.

"Why do I always find you here?" Nico's voice rang in the empty foyer. His sister had a habit of running away to this spot whenever she was invited to these family meetings. 

"Stop inviting me to this pathetic place and you won't find me here at this spot again," Ginevra said, turning to face her brother. She didn't want to come to this meeting but when her mother called her and said this meeting was to express their grief for the sudden abduction of Persephone, she couldn't help but come here. What could she do when her mom loved organizing these social activities to remind people of their status! 

"Come on, Gia. Stop talking like you hate meeting me," Nico said with a small smile as he hugged his sister. 

"You know that's not what I mean," Ginevra replied, hugging him back. "You are the only reason why I occasionally come back to this dark world. Although I hate Scuderis, I still love you more than I hate them." 

Ginevra paused for a moment before asking, "How are you, Nico?" 

"I will be fine," replied Nico honestly. 

"Good to hear that." 

None of them spoke for a few minutes. They just stood there in silence mulling over what life had in store for them. 

"How is Stefano?" Nico was the one to break the silence. Stefan Scuderi was Ginevra's husband, the man she married against her parent's wishes.

"I'm divorcing him," Ginevra said nonchalantly. 

To say Nico was shocked would be an understatement. His jaw literally dropped on the floor as he heard what his sister said. This girl had married that man when she was only twenty years old against her everyone's wishes. Why would she want to divorce her husband when she was getting everything that she desired in her life? 

"Why?" The question escaped Nico's mouth painfully. 

"Because he is wearing me out now," Ginevra said. "Don't worry, the divorce is mutual. None of us cheated on each other. We had always known that we are not in love with each other and were together for mutual benefits. Now that we got what we wanted, it's time to end this relationship." 

"Gia, are you sure about your decision? You know mom and papa will not help as you--" 

"Oh please! Who needs their help? I'm getting enough alimony to last the next two lives without working." 

Both of them fell into a long undisturbed silence. Ginevra stared at her brother's face unblinkingly. He had gone through hell and she understood it. She also knew that he would be blaming himself for Persephone's sudden abduction. She never liked her for Nico. Don't get her wrong, she loved that girl to the core but she just felt that Percy and Nico were never meant to be together. However, only if her stupid brother was intelligent enough to see that. 

"I think you should go back to the ladies before mom comes looking for you," Nico reminded her. He also wanted to tell her that she didn't need to give those women a chance to badmouth her again but knowing her personality, he refrained from say his thoughts aloud. 

"Carina Marino and her daughter are sitting with our mother," Ginevra said, struggling to control her emotions. "Every time I see their faces I have to control myself to not hurt them. I do not wish to breathe the same air as them, Nico." 

"Gia, you have to leave the past behind. Carina is Persephone's mother--" 

"Don't," Ginevra's tone turned chilly. "That woman is only Don Marino's wife, not Percy's mom. Percy's mom was Penelope, not Carina. Do not insult Penelope by calling that woman Percy's mom." 

"Your thoughts would never change anything, Gia. Percy has recognized Carina as her mother now. And Carina and her children are not bad to her. They treat each other with genuine love and care. Everyone can see that, but why can't you? You have to accept the fact that Sofia and Salvatore are Percy's siblings---" 

"Shut your mouth, my dear brother, before I do something that I will regret later." Ginerva wasn't angry but livid. It was as if she had lost her rationality. "They are not her fucking siblings. Do you get it? Lucien was!" 

Nico smiled sadly. "Yes, he was. But now? Where is he? He is dead, sis. You have to accept the truth. It's been more than a decade now." 

"Out of my sight, Nico. I do not want to see you." Ginevra punched the wall. "Damm! I shouldn't have come back to this place at all." 

Nico watched his only sister leaving through the foyer. He sighed while leaning against the wall and closed his eyes. He couldn't understand why his sister hated Sofia and his mother. He wasn't lying when he said that Carina and his children loved Percy genuinely. When Penelope died and Carina who was Alesaandro's favoured mistress at that time took her place, she cared for Persephone and Lucien genuinely. However, if losing Penelope wasn't enough of a blow of fate, Persephone lost her brother too a few years later. 

Marino residence was a residence of secrets and mysteries and Nico was not ready to peek at them. His only aim of life was to marry Persephone and create a warm home with her, the home she longed for. 

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