Chapter 2

HANNAH

I woke to an empty bed. Nico’s side was cold. It seemed he had been gone for hours.

I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. I truly hoped I was just seeing things. I hoped the lipstick and the hair were just coincidences. 

I couldn’t help but wonder, if I asked him, would he tell me the truth? Maybe I shouldn’t be overthinking it like this. Maybe if we just talked, everything would be fine.

I went to look in the kitchen for him. He was probably making coffee. 

But to my surprise, he was out on the balcony. 

He was talking to someone on his phone. I froze by the doorway and held my breath.

I tried to catch what he was saying.

Then I heard a woman’s voice. 

I couldn’t make out the words, not clearly. Just the tone.

I felt something folding in my ribs. That awful mix of dread and shame… Shame for even suspecting him and dread that I might be right.

He sighed. “Stop it. You’re making a big deal out of this.”

A pause.

She spoke again, louder this time. I still couldn’t hear her clearly. 

My stomach turned.

Nico ran a hand through his hair. “Can we not do this right now?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. I knew that look… It only meant he was holding something back. 

I froze behind the curtain. He hasn't seen me yet. 

“Just... calm down. I’ll call you later,” he said before hanging up.

Then silence. Nico stayed still. He kept his eyes on the city outside.

I watched him. What was going through his head?

Was he worried? Guilty? Or just... tired of hiding?

Then, he turned and saw me. He looked a little surprised, but then quickly returned to his soft smile toward me. 

“Hey,” he said, like nothing was out of place. “Did I wake you?”

I shook my head. “No. I was just looking for you.”

He smiled. “I just called Dr. Ramirez. She’s coming by this afternoon for your checkup.”

“Oh, okay.”

I immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that my earlier overthinking was a bit ridiculous. He was just talking to my family doctor.

Dr. Ramirez had been helping us with the fertility treatments for months.

I felt myself finally loosen up a little. Maybe I’d been unfair to Nico. He had been the one to set up all those appointments, to sit with me through every test, every awkward consultation. 

He’d held my hand when I cried in the car afterward.

He wouldn’t go through all that just to betray me… would he?

My restless thoughts finally settled down after a whole night. I held him close, kissing him. But just then, from the balcony, we both noticed a car pulling into the driveway.

Oh no, I thought. 

Veronica stepped out in full glam despite the early hour. 

“Is anyone going to open this for me, or do I have to let myself in like a guest?” my mother-in-law demanded as she spotted the maids near the front door.

The sound of her voice got to me. Ugh, my head was starting to ache.

Beside me, Nico rubbed his neck.

“Come on,” he said. “We should go say hi.”

**********************************

“Paula,” I said softly. “Make some tea for Veronica, please.”

“Of course, ma’am,” the maid said. She rushed to the kitchen.

Veronica was already settled on the sofa. Nico kissed her cheek. “Morning, Mom,” he said.

“You’re always busy, Nico. Don’t forget to eat,” she told him.

“Got it,” Nico replied. He was about to sit down when his phone rang. He answered it, his brow furrowing slightly, it seemed to be a work call.

“Sorry mom, I have to check on a few emails in the study.” Nico hung up the phone, said in apology.

“Go on then,” Veronica said with a little wave. “Work never ends, does it?”

Nico leaned in close, kissed me on the ear, and whispered he'd be back soon. He knew I never got along with his mother. I was glad he made me feel at ease.

He's right. I really didn’t like being alone with Veronica. Every time, she found some way to belittle me.

I’d tried to get along with her. But she always made me feel like I didn’t deserve Nico.

Veronica set her cup down. “Seven years, Hannah,” she began.. “Most women your age already have children in school. But you? Still nothing.”

I kept my eyes on my hands. “We’ve been trying,” I said quietly.

She scoffed. “Trying? Oh, please. I’ve heard enough of your nonsense.”

My nails dug into my palms. I wanted to fire back at her. But I stayed silent.

If I said anything, she’d just make me look bad. I knew this because I did this before.

“I’m trying. Nico’s been there for me through all of this.”

Veronica smirked.“Oh, don’t kid yourself. Nico’s been carrying you since day one. You think someone like you could’ve gotten this far by herself?”

I bit my cheek to hold back tears. What she said hurt more than I’d admit.

Veronica raised an eyebrow. “What? Nothing to say?” she said. “All these years and you still haven’t given me a grandchild,” Veronica said. “Seriously, Hannah… what do you even bring to this family besides stress?”

I really couldn’t hold it in anymore, her words were truly awful. I was ready to finally say something back. Then I heard Nico’s voice at the doorway.

“Mom, please,” he said. “I know you mean well, but Hannah’s trying. She doesn’t need to hear that from you.”

“Nico… I was only — ”

“No,” he said firmly. “You’ve said enough. I think you should go home for now.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re… asking me to leave?”

“Yes,” Nico said. “I love you, but don’t talk to Hannah like that here.”

Veronica glared at him. “Fine. I’ll leave then.”

Her heels clicked against the floor as she left. Before she left, she shot me a fierce glare.

Nico came over and knelt in front of me. “Hey,” he said gently. “Are you alright?”

I swallowed. “I… I think so.”

He shook his head. “You’re not. And that’s okay.”

My eyes welled up. Nico pulled me into his arms.

“Hey,” he said while rubbing my back. “Try not to let what she said get to you.”

I stayed quiet and held on to him.

“You know how Mom is,” he said gently. “She talks without thinking. She didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He’d said that before. More than once.

And to be fair, Nico had always defended me when it mattered.

It made me question everything I’d been thinking.

If he was hiding something, why would he defend me like that?

Why would he hold me like he meant it?

The problem had to be me.

I looked at him. “Of course,” I said quietly. “I trust you.”

He’s always treated me so well, how could he possibly be cheating?