Crushed tarts

Isabella’s POV

“Why are you here?” Sofia asked, narrowing her gaze.

I didn't blink. I just withdrew her hand from mine firmly. I had the lie ready before she could even finish the question. “I was here to see a psychiatrist.”

Nope, I couldn't let them find out the real reason.

Sofia’s eyes widened a little. Half surprised. Half pleased. “Oh, dear. Why? Are you okay?”

“I have been having trouble sleeping lately.” I said, letting my voice tremble just enough to sound fragile.

Gabriel came in front of me, glaring at me like I had embarrassed him by existing. “We need to talk, Isabella.” he said coldly.

“Yes?” I asked calmly. “I am listening.”

“How is it going on between you and Mateo?” He asked. He didn't ask how I was. He didn't care.

I didn't please him with the answer. I asked instead, “Why are you asking?”

“I am asking because you have failed in your duties as a wife.” Gabriel continued, his voice rising. “Three years of marriage and not a single child. In the past, a woman like you would’ve been thrown out of her husband’s house.”

He looked at me with such disdain I felt a chill settle in my bones.

"The only reason you’re still standing here is because Mateo is a loyal man." Gabriel added. "But even his patience has limits."

My mind screamed. Loyal? I had loved him all these years blindly. I had given him Elena. I had carried her, birthed her, and loved her with every cell in my body. And he had watched her die. No, he had caused her death and then spent a year gaslighting me into believing I was the one who failed.

And now, this man, my father was calling my husband "loyal" while the mistress stood two feet away, carrying his bastard. I wanted to laugh out loud.

I tilted my head, instead. “We don’t live in the past, Gabriel. If your brain can’t accept that, maybe you should get it checked. There’s a neurology department just down the hall.”

Gabriel’s eyes turned dark. He raised his hand, ready to strike. But I didn't move. I stared him right in the eye, daring him to do it. I wanted him to hit me. I wanted one more physical mark to prove exactly who these people were.

"No, stop!" Valentina cried, rushing forward. She grabbed his arm, playing the role of the gentle peacemaker. “Don’t be angry. Isabella is just emotional.” Then she turned to me, eyes full of false concern. “Isabella, don’t misunderstand. Your father is only worried about you two. Not having children has really weighed on Teo’s mind.”

Teo.

The name landed like poison. Once, that name belonged to me. Only me.

Now I knew exactly how long it had lived on her lips. How many nights it had been whispered while my daughter cried alone.

“Isabella, darling. I feel you.” Sofia added, stepping up beside her sister as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "I’ve been where you are. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the man you love is to step aside.” She paused and I knew what was coming.

“Get to the point, Sofia,” I snapped.

Sofia looked offended but she continued, “You know, Valentina is carrying Mateo’s son. She can give him the future he deserves. But we won't throw you away, I promise. We’re family, after all. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of."

Family. This word was a joke to me. I wasn't their blood, and they were fucking murderers. They were standing here, in a hospital, planning how to "get rid of" the baby I was currently carrying, all while smiling and offering to "take care of me.

“Thank you.” I let out a sharp breath. “But I don't need to be taken care of. Especially by you.”

"You are being shameless, Isabella." Gabriel barked. "You’re hogging a position you don’t deserve. You have no right to the Santiago name anymore."

I just looked at the three of them. I couldn’t let them know I had heard the truth. About Elena. About the guest room. About the crib. If I did, my baby would be dead before it ever had a chance to cry.

I needed to make them believe I was already broken. I needed to give them exactly what they wanted.

I took a slow, shaky breath and looked down at the floor, playing the part of the defeated wife. "You are right, father." I whispered.

Gabriel paused, his hand dropping to his side. "What?"

I looked up, letting a single, well-timed tear roll down my cheek. "I'm tired of fighting. I’m not interested in being Mrs. Santiago anymore.” I paused, faking sadness as I looked at Valentina. “If Valentina wants the title so badly... she can have it."

Valentina’s eyes lit up slowly. Sofia and Gabriel exchanged a look of victory. They thought they had won. They thought they had finally bullied the "troublemaker" into submission.

“Bella?”

The sudden voice came from behind. I didn't need to turn to know it was Mateo. Of course, he was here.

Before anyone else could react, he rushed forward, pushing past Gabriel and Sofia to stand in front of me. He almost looked like a hero. He almost looked like a devoted husband. Almost.

“What’s wrong? Why did you say that?” He asked. He heard it. He heard when I said I wasn't interested in being a Santiago anymore.

I looked at him. At the man who was in bed with my step-aunt while our baby cried. At the man who put his own injured baby back in her crib, and returned to sex with his mistress.

My eyes felt frozen in my face. I knew it showed.

Mateo’s expression cracked. For the first time since I’d known him, real panic crossed his face.

When he didn't get any answer from me, he turned his dark, piercing gaze on Valentina. "What did you say to her?" He demanded angrily.

I could see the sweat on his brow. He was terrified that I had found out his secrets.

I stared at his broad back. I wanted to lean in and whisper it into his ear. I know. I know you were with her. I know you let Elena die.

But not yet. It wasn't not the best time.

“She's just jealous, Mateo. Forget about her." I dismissed. Then I pointed to the floor where he’d dropped a small paper bag in his rush. "Opps. You dropped something."

Mateo’s shoulders relaxed visibly. He turned and picked up a box of custard tarts before he held them out to me, "I waited thirty minutes in line for these, Bella." He said, trying to lovebomb me. "I remembered you said you liked the ones from that bakery across town."

He opened the box. The tarts were crushed. Shattered. Just like our marriage.

“It's destroyed.” He sighed.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said flatly. “It’s not like this is the only place that makes custard tarts I like.”

And you are not the only man I like in the world. I wanted to say. But I didn't say and he didn't understand.

He smiled, looking relieved. “I promise I’ll find others. I’ll search the whole city if I have to.”

I saw Valentina’s jaw tighten. The mistress was losing her cool because the wife was being "spoiled." For the first time, I felt something close to amusement.

"Why are you here, Mateo?" I asked.

Before he could answer, Valentina stepped forward and slid her arm through his, "Bella." she said sweetly, leaning in. “I’m pregnant. I wanted Mateo to take me for a checkup. He’s the most reliable person in the family. I feel safer with him.”

Mateo immediately pulled his arm away as his eyes shifted to mine. "Bella, don't misunderstand—"

"I hate her, Mateo." I didn't hide the disgust. It was the only honest thing left in the room. "And yet you’re taking time off work to play escort for her? Are you trying to make me vomit?"

"Isabella, stop being so stubborn!" Gabriel barked from the side. "You're holding a grudge over nothing!"

"She's always had such a temper," Sofia added, shaking her head. “One day, it will ruin her.”

Mateo turned on them instantly. "How dare you speak to her like that?” He snapped. “Are you looking for trouble?"

He was playing the protector again. It was his favorite role. But Valentina knew exactly how to break the spell.

"Oh! My stomach..." She gasped, her hand flying to her abdomen. She bent forward, her face contorting in fake pain. "Teo... something is wrong. The baby..."

It was the most amateur acting I had ever seen.

Gabriel rushed to her side. Sofia cried out. “Oh my God.”

Mateo didn’t hesitate. He let go of my hand. The box of custard tarts fell to the floor.

He didn't waste time. He gathered Valentina into his arms, almost panicking. "Don't worry.” He said as he lifted her against his chest. "I’ve got you. I’ll get the doctor."

As he turned to run, Valentina looked over his shoulder. The pain vanished from her face for a split second. She looked me dead in the eye and her lips curved in victory.

Gabriel and Sofia scuried after them like loyal dogs.

"Mateo?" I called out. "What are you doing?"

He didn't even stop. "Bella, a life is at risk here! Don't be unreasonable. Don't cause a scene. Just go home and wait for me!"

I stood there alone as I watched his back. I didn't cry. Oh, I didn't even feel sad. All I felt was rage. And all I wanted to taste was revenge. On that man who let my baby die, the woman who helped kill her, the family who never wanted me.

That's enough. I wouldn't let them hurt me again. I wouldn't let them hurt my baby again. I had already lost Elena because Mateo couldn't control his lust. I wouldn't let it repeat. I won't lose my baby again. Not for them. I would protect her from anyone.

Slowly, I placed my hand over my own stomach. "Did you see that, little one?" I whispered. "That was the last time he will ever turn his back on us."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Irene’s number.

"It's me." I said when she answered. "I know I was supposed to leave in 3 weeks. But I can't stay here anymore. They will find the baby. I will leave New York in 48 hours. I will let him think I am his wife but just a sad one who needs distance. For three weeks."