The tension in the room was palpable as Vittorio asked the question that had been hanging over them: the reason why Ellis had married John. Silence hung in the air for a few moments as Ellis grappled with the decision to tell the truth. She knew that revealing the true reason for their marriage would entail telling Vittorio about Donna, their daughter, and that meant Vittorio would end up killing John.

Finally, with a sigh, Ellis decided to be honest. “I married John because he ...