Victoria's POV
Oh no, no, no! Shit! I glanced at my wristwatch and then at the lengthy line of traffic in front of the signal ahead. It seemed the whole of New York was at a standstill.“Sir, can you tell me how long it will take?” I asked the driver.The man shook his head. “I don’t know, madame. It seems it will take a long time,” he replied in a thick French accent.Fuck! Why is it always me facing such tragedies? I needed to reach the birthday celebration before 6 p.m., and it was 5:50.Oh lord! I had no choice. After paying the cab’s fare, I took a deep breath, quickly exited the taxi, and rushed down the street. I loved my husband so much and would do anything for him, including rush like mad, so I wouldn’t be late for his grandmother’s seventieth birthday.My husband and I had been living together for three years, and I had been suppressing my personality just to be with him. But I took a pregnancy test the week before and was expecting a baby! I couldn’t wait to tell him the good news!Though engrossed in my thoughts, I didn’t miss it when a car approached, looking as if it were about to hit an old woman on the side of the road.Without a thought, I ran to her and pushed her out of the way. But I tripped and fell into a mud puddle. “Aah,” I whimpered in pain.The old woman tried to help me stand. “Oh, my sweet little girl.”With a slight help from her, I rose, feeling a terrible ache in my right arm. It messily fell under my stomach. God knew if I broke my hand.“You okay, sweetheart?” the old lady asked. “Let me take you to the doctor.”“No, ma’am, It’s alright. I have to leave.” Despite the excruciating agony in my arm, I didn’t waste a second before getting back underway. I looked at my dress. Oh, good Lord, my dress is a mess. Alessandro would be so angry. But it was already past six, and there was no time for me to change.After receiving several odd looks from people on the street, I reached the hotel. My husband stood in the foyer, maybe waiting for me?“Alessandro...” I walked toward him, hoping he would understand my situation.But the moment his eyes fell on me, his cold gaze turned into an icy stare, and his jaw clenched. “Of all days, how could you be late today? This will make me lose face in front of everyone!”“I—Alessandro, let me explain. I was—”“Enough!” He raised his hand. “I don’t want to hear any of your bullshit!”Quickly, I lowered my eyes, not wanting him to see the tears that threatening to form. I knew this would happen, but was it my fault? The thought blurred my vision even more, despite me trying so hard not to let my tears spill.Worse, two ladies approached, sneering—Alessandro’s cousins. They paused, and one said, “Today is Madame Devonte’s birthday. Are you dressing like this to embarrass us?”The other looked at her and said, “I think she shouldn’t go in.” Then her gaze shifted to me. “You’ll only make my grandma angry.”I peered at my husband through my eyelashes. His face had turned gloomier at their words.Thanks, bitches.“Change into a sober dress,” Alessandro ordered coldly and walked into the dining hall, obviously ashamed to be seen with me.I closed my eyes, taking a sharp breath to control my tears before changing clothes.A shadow appeared beside me. “What the fuck are you wearing?” Alessandro’s ex-girlfriend, Camilla, asked, her voice dripping with vicious disdain. “What? Is that your new fashion choice?”Oh no, not again. Not this woman!She had continued to pursue Alessandro, despite him being married to me for years. Worse, since she saved his life in an accident, his family loved her, thought of her as an angel.Angel, my foot!Considering my distressed mood, her insults only inflamed me further. However, I was already late and Alessandro was angry. Answering her would only make things worse.So I kept my expression neutral and began to walk away. She grabbed my injured arm, and a painful whimper escaped my lips.Her nails dug into my flesh. “How long are you going to occupy my Alessandro?” she hissed like a poisonous snake.Ugh. That was the limit. I had tried to avoid the argument, but Camilla hadn’t let me. Pulling my arm free from her, I turned to her. “That man is my lawful husband. How can you say I am occupying him?”“You are shameless!” Camilla shouted. “He wouldn’t have married you if you hadn’t seduced him with your despicable methods!”“You’re the one who’s despicable,” I shouted back, unable to suppress my voice any longer. And why would I? I was his lawfully wedded wife, after all.Camilla raised her hand, and I watched as it came down to strike my cheek. But then she stopped abruptly and started crying, pulling me toward her until she fell to the ground. “Please, don’t hit me,” she pleaded. “I promise I will never meet Alessandro again.”Wait? What?“Are you hurt?” Alessandro’s concerned voice met my ears. But his concern wasn’t for me. I watched in horror as he bent beside Camilla.Amid her sobbing, she said, “Victoria pushed me. I think I broke my ankle.”“I didn’t push her! She fell,” I said, raising my voice.“Shut up!” Alessandro spat, his eyes turning into angry slits as he peered at me. He turned back to Camilla, picked her up and strode away with her in his arms.In shock, I stood and watched, not knowing how to feel, how to process what I’d just witnessed. Did he truly believe her over me?When I thought nothing more disastrous could happen, Alessandro’s aunt, Gina, appeared out of nowhere, gripping my hurt arm harshly. But I barely let out a whimper before she screamed, “You bitch! You dare bully Camilla! I’m going to tell Grandma!”I’dhad enough. I pulled my arm from Gina’s grip and ran out of the hotel to headback to the mansion. And for once, I didn’t look back. ThoughI had been married to Alessandro for three years, I’d never felt like a part ofthe Devonte family. Meanwhile, I had left my family and even changed my surnameto be a simple girl for Alessandro. In turn, he never cared nor stood up for mewhen his family members disrespected and insulted me, when they referred to me asa nobody and called me names. Throughit all, I never revealed my real identity because I didn’t want to gain Alessandro’slove just because my last name was Edwards, just because I was heiress to theE. Shine Jewelers fortune, one of the most famous designed brands in the world.No, I wanted him to love me for me. SoI never complained. Instead, I let my tears fall silently, always hopingAlessandro would one day change and accept me as his wife. Yet he neverappreciated me.Itried to be everything to him, too. But it seem
Victoria’sPOVWiththe beeping sounds of sensors in my ears, my eyes opened. I looked around, feelingdisoriented. Then I saw my brother, Antonio, sitting on the couch next to me. “A–Antonio...”Herushed to me. “Victoria, are you all right? Let me call for the doctor.”Ashort while later, Antonio let out a breath of relief as the doctor announced mypregnancy and said I wasn’t in danger.“Areyou going to continue to suffer with that family?” he asked, shaking his head.“Why don’t you come home with me this time? I’ve missed you, sister.”TearsI’d held for three years flowed as I nodded with sorrow and guilt. “I’m sorry Iwas too willful before. B–but how did you find me?”“Someonesent me a message and told me you were in trouble in Devonte’s place,” Antonioanswered. “I knew how Alessandro’s family treated you. I rushed to the mansion.I should have never let you stay with them. But now, I can take revenge for youand help you raise your child.”Ishook my head. “Please don’t le
ALESSANDROPOVAnalarm rang annoyingly beside my head, and I angrily slammed the buzzer. Due toa disciplined life since childhood, I’d always been an early riser. So the hournor the alarm would typically bother me. But I’d spent the night tossing andturning, thinking about Victoria. I’d only slept an hour, two tops. Why I can’t stop thinkingabout her? I shook my head in frustration. Rubbing my face, I steppedout of bed and went to my closet to get my things for the office. There I wasconfronted with another reminder as Victoria’s colorful clothes hung as ifmocking me. Though she was an introvert, she had an unpredictable personalityand loved vibrant clothes and makeup. Still, she always presented herself asladylike.Ishook my head again, frustrated that I still couldn’t get her out of my mind. Witha sigh, I focused on my side of the closet. Everything remained the same asalways, except there was no ready for me—one of the maid’s tasks. I frowned at heroversight. Maybe i
VICTORIA’SPOVIwoke to familiar beeping sounds. When I opened my eyes, it didn’t surprise meto see I was in a hospital bed with an IV attached to the back of my hand.“Youare awake?” a woman in a doctor’s coat asked with a smile. “How are youfeeling, Mrs. Devonte?” “I...”My throat dried, remembering the terrible ache in my abdomen when Alessandrostopped me. What if something happened to my baby? “H–how is my baby?” I neededto know.Thedoctor smiled, touching my arm and spreading a sense of comfort. “Your baby isfine. But you need to rest. No anxiety. It could affect you or the baby’shealth.”Theheavy stone that had taken residence in my heart disappeared at her words. Mybaby was fine. Relief washed over me. However, my relief dissipated when Irealized she had called me Mrs. Devonte. “Whobrought me here, Doctor?” I asked, fearing it may have been Alessandro.“Yourhusband. Don’t worry, he said he’ll be back soon. He just went out to completesome procedures.”Fearfill
ALESSANDRO’SPOVIchewed on the beef steak before me, trying to focus on dinner and keep thoughtsof Victoria out of my mind. However, nothing seemed as good as it used to be.Even my meal tasted wrong. It wasn’t the worst steak I’d ever eaten, but Iwasn’t feeling any satisfaction.Alreadyin a foul mood, the inadequate food made it worse. When I tasted the mashedpotatoes, I became enraged enough to throw my plate on the floor.Myhead housekeeper, Sofia, rushed to me in horror with two maids trailing her. She’dbeen our housekeeper since childhood, so she knew everything that went on inthe mansion. “Young master, what happened?” she asked with wide eyes.“Whathappened?” I yelled. “The food is what happened. Is there a new chef? Didn’tyou check his credentials?” Sofiapeered at the mess on the floor and ordered the maids to clean it, then lookedup at me and shook her head. “Young master, there’s been no change. Martin is thechef, as always. And his cooking hasn’t changed, eit
VICTORIA’SPOVWhilesipping my blue pea tea, I stared at the night sky. Though I wasn’t much of atea lover, it had a unique flavor, something learned from someone special inthe past.Myhand fell to my stomach, stroking and caressing. How I wished things were different.I wanted to be with Alessandro, especially through the pregnancy. But Icouldn’t.Ihad given him three years. Most people even grew to care for animals theydidn’t like if they lived with them that long. But I had been his wife, and hehad never grown to care for me. I didn’t know how he would react after hearingabout the baby. But I didn’t care anymore, not for him or his arrogant family.Thischild was mine, and I was its mother, end of discussion.“Penny,for your thoughts?” Antonio’s deep voice caught my attention. I peered at him inthe porch entrance, leaning against the door with his brow raised. My, helooked handsome. And he was incredibly understanding. The woman who landed him wouldbe awfully lucky. I
ALESSANDRO’S POVThe limousine stopped in front of one of the old convention halls in New York. Stepping out of the car, I stood straight. Camilla slipped out after me and latched onto my arm. I held back a growl of frustration, wishing it was just beside me instead.It felt as though things were so out of control. But I would find a way to make it right soon. I just had to get through that night, and everything would be fine. With long strides, I headed for the entrance.“Why are you in a rush, Al?” Camilla asked, sounding all too innocent, making me wonder how I hadn’t seen through her before. “Just follow me silently if you don’t want to go back home,” I said, coldly, keeping my eyes on the entrance. I didn’t hear any words from her, just a faded disappointed grunt.After checking in, we went inside to our table in the VIP section. As I turned to take my seat, I stopped short. Victoria was there in a red party dress with her shoulder-length hair combed back and bright red lips tha
He walked in handsomely, drawing a crowd of female guests’ attention. Well, I am used to that part, too, though.However, my brows furrowed the moment he walked directly to Victoria’s table. I swear, there was no doubt in his steps, and he sat next to her... Closely even!Victoria smiled brightly at him as if they had known each other for years. Antonio held her hand, dropping a kiss on her knuckle and kept holding it!Dude! Let the hand go! You are holding someone else’s wife’s hand! I thought angrily.What the bloody fuck is happening!? Well, it’s not only me, but everyone in the room is surprised!No one has ever seen Antonio Edwards with a woman or heard rumors. And when people see him with a lady, that is, my freaking wife!And I don’t understand how on earth Victoria knows this man! The famous Antonio Edwards and the non-famous Victoria!When did they even meet!? Her world kept roaming around me for three years; wherever she went, she was with me! Then how!?Every eye was on the