3.

ARE HIS WORDS TRUE?

Arabella  was in her art studio when, looking out the window, she was surprised to see a moving truck parked at the villa next to her house. Intrigued, she went outside just as Fernando arrived in his car, following the truck.

Mariana got out of the passenger seat with a suitcase in her hand. Arabella  couldn't hold back and ran toward them.

"Fernando, what is all this?" she asked, pointing to Mariana's belongings being unloaded.

"My love, how are you?" he replied, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "I've brought Mariana to live in the villa they're renting. The doctor told us it's a high-risk pregnancy, and it's important that we can keep an eye on the baby at all times."

"But you should have consulted with me first. We're supposed to both make the decisions about our future child," Arabella  snapped, her tone full of reproach, noticing that the relationship between her husband and his secretary wasn't as distant as he had claimed.

At that moment, Mariana appeared with a bag full of things. When their eyes met, Fernando smiled tenderly at her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Can I help you?" he asked, hurrying toward her.

Arabella  watched them in silence for a few seconds, then turned around and went back to the mansion.

In the following days, Mariana seemed to live at the mansion, not the villa next door. She spent most of her time with Fernando, and he even drove her to work every morning.

One of those mornings, Mariana arrived just in time for breakfast.

"Good morning, everything looks so good. Can I sit down to eat?" she asked with enthusiasm.

Arabella  dropped her fork, uncomfortable, while Fernando got up to pull out a chair for her.

"Of course, I'll have Clarisa prepare you some eggs," he said naturally.

Arabella  remained silent. She wiped her mouth with her napkin and stopped eating. Fernando, on the other hand, continued as if nothing were wrong. A few minutes later, he looked at his watch and got up in a hurry.

"I have to go; I'm running late."

Mariana immediately stood up and faced him. Confidently, she adjusted his tie, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Have a good day, Fernando."

Arabella 's mouth fell open in surprise, and she shot up from her seat.

"What's with all this affection? Am I invisible or what?" she exclaimed, agitated, after seeing the scene.

But Fernando only smiled calmly, not thinking it was a big deal.

"Arabella , my love, what's wrong? Don't be so dramatic, don't say things like that. Mariana is just saying goodbye," Fernando said, trying to downplay the moment.

"She doesn't have to kiss you. It's absurd," Arabella  glared at both of them, furious.

"You know, my love, Mariana is pregnant. She's a little sensitive, which makes her more... affectionate," he added, shrugging.

Arabella  shook her head, incredulous.

"By the way, my love," Fernando approached and kissed her cheek, "it's not necessary for you to come with me to the auction tonight. I'll see you at home. Goodbye."

"But, Fernando..." Arabella  tried to protest, but he was already leaving without looking back.

A satisfied smile spread across Mariana's lips. Noticing her expression, Arabella  knew it instantly—something was not right.

That night, without saying anything to Fernando, she decided to show up at the auction in secret.

When the event began, her heart skipped a beat when she saw the first item being auctioned: a relic she knew all too well. It was her mother's solid gold necklace, the one that had disappeared years ago when her stepmother sold all of her belongings after moving into her house.

Without a second thought, Arabella  raised her paddle to make a bid.

"One thousand from the lady with the scarf! Who will give more?" the auctioneer announced with enthusiasm.

Across the room, another paddle was raised, doubling the bid. Arabella  frowned. She wasn't willing to lose, not again, not that necklace. She tried again, raising the bid. But the same bidder responded immediately, raising the amount even more, frustrating her completely.

When the bid exceeded the money she had with her, she got up, determined. She had to see who this stubborn buyer was. And then she saw him.

Sitting next to his capricious secretary, was Fernando. It was him. He was the one who was bidding over and over again to win the necklace... to give it to her.

"Fernando," Arabella  muttered through gritted teeth, feeling rage rise in her chest.

Seeing her, Fernando hurried over.

"Arabella , what are you doing here? I told you not to come to the auction."

"Of course! Because Mariana was coming. What the hell is wrong with you, Fernando? And why do you want my mother's necklace? You knew perfectly well that I've been looking for it for years," she let out, furious, her fists clenched.

"My love... I completely forgot. How was I supposed to remember that was your mother's necklace? Honey, please, calm down..."

"It's my mother's necklace! I want it with me! You can take the damn money from the family account, but that necklace is mine. I won't lose it again." Arabella 's voice trembled, but not with fear... but with indignation.

"Arabella , my love, you have to let go of the past. Your mother is no longer with us, and I doubt she'd be bothered that Mariana is the one wearing the necklace now. The only thing that matters is our child, who will be born soon."

"No, Fernando. It's a very valuable piece to me. You know how much I've cried over that necklace. It's the only thing I could have recovered from my mother; you can't do this to me."

"My love, please, think about our baby. Pregnant women often have cravings and whims, and if they aren't satisfied, it could affect their health... even the baby's. Mariana really wants that necklace. She asked me for it as a special favor. She says it would make her very happy."

"Oh, please, Fernando!" Arabella  exclaimed, a lump in her throat.

"Honey, for the good of her pregnancy... and especially for our son's, just drop it. It's not worth arguing about."

Arabella  turned pale. Fernando had a natural ability to manipulate her, and if you added the fake tears Mariana shed with apparent humility, it was impossible not to feel betrayed. She felt herself breaking inside.

"I can't believe it, Fernando. I'm your wife! We've been together for years... What is all this?" she yelled, finally losing control and, fed up with everything, she slapped him.

Fernando took a deep breath and ran a hand over his face.

"Arabella , please, don't make a scene in front of everyone. It's not necessary. Calm down and go home, okay?" he said coldly, without even looking at her, leaving her standing in the middle of the crowd as he went back to Mariana's side.

Everything shifted under her feet. She watched her husband walk away... and for the first time, he felt like a complete stranger. At that moment, she understood with heart-wrenching clarity: she was no longer important in that relationship.