02

THE words landed like a blow straight right in her face. And she stood still, the shock written all over her face.

Vanessa.

Here?

In this house?

The thought didn’t settle. It just kept circling.

She moved slowly, her eyes searching him for an answer.

“Vanessa? In our house?”

“Yes,” he replied sharply, “do you have a problem with the mother of my unborn child coming to stay with us?”

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. What the hell was this?

“Damien, your pregnant mistress isn't supposed to come stay with us… at all. You of all people should know this.”

“So?” He narrowed his brows.

“She can stay elsewhere.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere. Your mom's, her mom's, her friend's, you— you can even get her an Airbnb. Just anywhere but this place.”

He laughed. Actually laughed. Then got up.

“Can you listen to yourself?” He slowly covered the distance between them, “well I do not blame you, you have never experienced the joy of motherhood and so can't understand why she needs me more closer this time.”

Her breath sharply hitched.

“Damien?”

“Don't!” He shunned her, his left hand in the air.

“Four years, Alessia,” he continued, “four years down and nothing to show for it,” he paused, ran the left hand over his face and continued, “don’t make me go back to what I have been trying so hard to forget. I have a child on the way, something you couldn't give me, do you want to stand against it now?” he barked.

Her eyes shut.

Just for a second too long.

When they opened, something had changed.

“It is not much of a disrespect that you had an affair with my ex-colleague, you went ahead to put her in the family way, and now you want to bring her into our house. Why Damien? Why?” she questioned.

“Get over it my dear, Vanessa will be moving in tomorrow.”

He walked away just like that.

Like it was nothing.

Like she was nothing.

She slowly let out a heavy breath.

“And mom?” she asked after him.

“She is in agreement,” he didn’t care to spare her a glance as he replied.

Of course.

Her eyes closed again.

Then opened.

The hospital quickly flashed in her mind.

The report was still in her bag. Those words she couldn’t unsee.

And now Vanessa. Pregnant.

But how? Just how?

Something was definitely wrong somewhere.

With that she turned and walked away.

***

Morning came quietly.

Alessia was already awake.

Seated on the bed, her back against the headboard, her phone in her hand. She wasn’t really reading anything, just scrolling. Her eyes moved, but nothing stayed.

Her mind was elsewhere. Still at the hospital. Still at the report.

And Vanessa.

Then the loop.

Her stomach rumbled softly, reminding her that she hadn’t had a thing that morning. Not even a cup of tea.

She blinked, breakfast on her mind, something light. Anything.

So she dropped her phone. Her fingers brushed the edge of the duvet as she shifted to get off the bed—

Ping.

Alessia froze.

A quiet curse slipped under her breath as she reached back for the phone.

That sound, she knew it. It didn't sound random, not this early.

Her fingers wrapped around the device quickly, almost instinctively. The screen lit up.

Her breath paused. A message.

Not just any message, but one from Carl.

For a second, she didn’t open it. She only just stared, like the name alone carried weight.

Then she tapped. Her eyes moved across the lines.

**Alessia, we really need you back at the company. And this time… at your rightful position.**

A pause as her thumb hovered. Her eyes continued.

**I have been speaking with your mom. I believe she is starting to listen.**

Silence fell for a beat.

Then, something shifted, soft and unexpected.

A smile instantly appeared on her face, small at first. Then real.

It spread slowly across her lips, like something long buried had just been touched.

If this message had come four years ago, many months ago, she would have frowned. Ignored it. Deleted it even without a second thought.

That version of her didn’t want that world. It didn’t need it nor care, but now… now, standing in this house, after last night, after the reveal at the hospital, after everything— it felt different, it felt necessary.

Her grip on the phone tightened just slightly. Her mind didn’t wander, it just aligned.

For the first time in a long time, something was calling her back and she was actually listening.

Without overthinking it, she typed.

**I will give you an answer soon.**

She stared at it for half a second, then hit send.

The message delivered instantly.

With that, she dropped the phone beside her, finally pushed the duvet off, and got out of bed.

The floor was cold beneath her feet, but she didn’t react. She just moved, slow, steady, like she was still thinking through something she couldn’t quite place.

She reached out for her flip-flop and then stepped out of the bedroom, feeling fulfilled.

The house was quiet. At least, that’s what she expected.

She started down the stairs, one step at a time, her hand brushing lightly against the rail.

Suddenly, she heard voices. They were faint at first, then clearer as she moved closer.

They sounded somewhat familiar, and undoubtedly full of life and happiness. Her steps slowed, her brows drew slightly as she listened again.

Two voices. Yes. One male. One female.

Her heart gave a small, strange beat.

No! It couldn’t be.

Her thoughts ran quickly.

Today’s the day.

Vanessa was supposed to move in today, yes, but this early?

She had assumed evening, some time after work. Probably Damien was to bring her home.

And for Damien, she thought he was already at work.

The laughter came again, becoming more clearer as she moved closer. Her grip on the rail tightened just a little.

She continued walking, not making any effort to increase her pace, taking her time as if she owned the world.

As she neared the foot of the stairs, the voices sharpened. And no mistaking them now, it was Damien’s…

And—

Vanessa’s.

Alessia stopped.

Just for a second, her body stiffened. Something in her chest tightened, but she didn’t let it show, didn’t let it rise.

She resumed walking, one step at a time. Until she reached the bottom.

And there in the living room, on the couch was Vanessa, seated comfortably, her back against the cushion, her posture relaxed like she belonged there.

Like she had always belonged there.

And beside her was her (Alessia's) husband, Damien. They sat so close like a couple.

His hand moved slowly over her protruding stomach, rubbing oil into her skin with quiet care.

And goodness! He was gentle, very attentive. Giving off a softness Alessia had never seen directed at her.

Their voices had dropped now, going low and intimate.

Like the world outside them didn’t exist.

Like she didn’t exist.

Alessia stood there, still and watching.

And neither of them had noticed her yet.