Chapter 3

HANNAH

Dr. Ramirez came into the living room. She came every week to check on my fertility treatments.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Mancini.” Dr. Ramirez asked.  “How are you feeling today?”

I gave her a faint smile.

“Better now,” I say. “Still stuffy, but the fever’s gone.”

“That’s a good sign,” she said. “You really scared me. You stopped taking your medication for a whole month. I was genuinely worried.” 

She was referring to a medication she prescribed to treat my infertility. I had been following the treatment schedule and taking the medicine on time. But because I caught a severe cold and was taking cold medicine, I had to stop the treatment temporarily.

“But don’t worry, if everything stays on track, we can pick up the treatments again soon.” Dr. Ramirez comforted me.

I hoped she was right. I’d already lost a month because of this. Every delay made me anxious. What if the treatment didn’t work as well anymore? What if we missed our window?

Still, I was grateful for Dr. Ramirez’s care. I promised her I’d follow the plan and get back to the treatment as soon as I could.

“Alright,” she said gently. “Let’s do a quick check, just to make sure your body’s recovering well.

Dr. Ramirez went through the usual checks. Blood pressure. Temperature. Pulse. I’d done this so many times before, but this time felt different. I just wanted good news.

“It looks good,” Dr. Ramirez said. “But we still need to clear up your cold. We’ll check again in a week.”

Another week. It felt like time slipping away, and I couldn’t do anything about it. I hated waiting. I sighed and nodded. 

“Okay. Thanks, Dr. Ramirez.”

During my check-up, Nico stayed in his study. He didn’t come out until Dr. Ramirez was about to leave. 

“Thank you for coming over, Doc,” Nico said.

Dr. Ramirez gave a small nod. “Of course. Just let me know if anything changes.”

“I guess I’ll see you next week, Doc,” I said. “Goodbye for now.”

After Dr. Ramirez left, I felt a bit drained. Nico noticed I wasn’t feeling well and pulled me into his arms. “Don’t worry, honey. Everything’s going to be okay. I only care about whether you’re happy.”

I nodded and leaned against him. His broad chest gave me a sense of comfort.

He asked Paula to prepare some afternoon tea on the balcony. Then he kissed my forehead and said, “A little sunshine will lift your mood.”

We had just sat down on the balcony when Nico’s phone rang.

After the call, he let out a groan. “Oh God, I need to step out for a bit. Can’t work pause for just one minute? All I want is to enjoy some tea with my beautiful wife.”

I couldn’t help but laugh and gave him a gentle push. “Go on, then. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”

He left. I sat on the balcony with my tea. The late afternoon breeze brushed against my skin.

A thought crept in when I was trying to relax. 

If I couldn’t give him a child, would Nico go to someone else?

I hated this idea. No matter how much he loved me, it might not be enough. 

I’m not sure how much time had passed. I suddenly heard shouting from downstairs. 

It was…Nico?

I froze by the railing. At first, I thought he was on the phone.

Work could get intense for him sometimes.

Then I saw Dr. Ramirez standing in front of him. He was arguing with her.

What was going on?

I set my tea down and went downstairs.

“Nico,” I called out. “What’s going on?” 

Nico turned first. He softened instantly when he saw me, like he could switch it on and off. 

“It’s nothing. I just…” he said, struggling to continue. I got upset hearing about the medication issue. I don’t think this treatment is working, and I don’t want to waste more time.”

Dr. Ramirez looked stunned. “Mr. Mancini —”

“I’m considering hiring someone else,” he cuts in. “Someone with a different approach.”

I tried to process what he just said. “Wait, what? Why would you —”

“It’s not about her,” he replied. “It’s about you and your health. I just want what’s best for you.”

His concern caught me off guard. Nico wasn’t frustrated with me at all.

He still cared about protecting me. But Dr. Ramirez didn’t deserve to take all the blame.

“Honey… It’s okay,” I said quietly. “She didn’t do anything wrong.”

Nico sighed. “I just… I’m worried you’re not getting better fast enough,” he said. “I want us back on track. That’s all I was talking about with her.”

“I know you’re worried,” I said softly. “I want to start the treatment as soon as possible. But it's been great working with Dr. Ramirez. She’s always been very responsible with me, and she knows my physical condition very well. I don't want to find another doctor to help us out.”

Dr. Ramirez smiled. “Thanks for your belief. I’m still confident I can help you conceive, Mrs. Mancini.”

I nodded. “Then let’s keep going.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist. “I just want you to have our baby, Hannah. I want to see you holding them one day. I want a family with you.”

I looked up at him. “I want that too. If I follow Dr. Ramirez’s treatment plan, maybe I can conceive one day.”

“Can’t wait, honey,” Nico beamed.

I pictured it. Nico was cradling our baby with a big smile on his face. I could almost hear the silence in the house change. It would be filled with the sounds of tiny footsteps and giggles. 

I wanted that more than anything. 

I turned to our driver. “Ben, please take Dr. Ramirez home,” I said.

Dr. Ramirez gave me a kind smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Mancini.”

Nico exhaled beside me and gave a reluctant smile. “You’re too kind, you know that? I love you so much.”

“I love you too, honey,” I whispered. I leaned into his touch for comfort.

We headed back inside. Just as I stepped through the door, my phone buzzed in my hand.

I looked down and squinted.

No name. Just an unknown number.

Hmm… Strange. 

The picture loaded slowly, then it appeared.

My eyes went wide the second it came into focus.

My hands shook so hard I almost dropped the phone.

Nico was in it. He was naked, lying on his side. Nico’s eyes were closed. He looked like he was asleep.

His arm was draped over a blonde‑haired woman, pulling her close against him. Her bare back was to the camera.

What?!

I told myself it might be fake. After all, Nico had business rivals who wanted to destroy his life. What the fuck is this cruel trick?

But then I saw the small birthmark on his shoulder. It was the one I’d kissed a hundred times. That was exactly Nico! He really cheated on me!

I felt like throwing up. The image of the family I wanted with Nico was shattered in an instant.

Everything I’d been hoping for suddenly felt like a lie.

I felt dizzy. The last thing I remembered was everything going dark.