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. 

And then there was that photo.

I didn’t want to overreact, because maybe it was just spam. Just like how I sometimes get similar random messages on my own phone.

I didn’t want to start a huge argument with him over a single photo.

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?

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 years.

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 down and whispered in my ear, his lips brushing my skin, “Back soon. You’ll be okay.” 

He knew exactly how tense I got around his mother. And I appreciated him for that.

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, voice sweet but laced with venom, “Most women your age already have children in school. But you? Well, you’ve always preferred a slower pace, haven’t you?”

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. Honestly, what exactly do you bring to this marriage, besides tears and fertility treatments?”

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, her eyes narrowing. “Not even a clever retort? All these years, no grandchild, no career to speak of, and not even a shred of self-awareness, ”

I really couldn’t hold it in anymore, her words were truly awful. I was ready to 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.”

Veronica turned, startled. “Nico, I was only trying to help. Someone has to speak the truth.

“You call that help?” His tone was cold now. “Hannah’s done everything to be part of this family, and you’ve never given her a chance."

She blinked. “You’re taking her side?”

“I’m taking my wife’s side,” Nico said, crossing the room to stand beside me. “Because I love her. And I won’t let anyone—anyone—make her feel like she’s not enough. Not even you.”

Then 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.

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