Chapter 3

The moment the door closed, Alessio wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me tight.

"Marcella, listen to me." His voice, trembling slightly, was right by my ear. "It's impossible for me and Bianca. You know that."

I didn't move.

His embrace once felt like a safe harbor. Now it was a cage, suffocating me.

"It was over the day she left three years ago," Alessio pleaded. "All I want now is a life with you. With our child."

I broke free from his hold and walked to my vanity.

A row of prenatal vitamins lined the vanity—folic acid, calcium, iron. Everything a mother-to-be needed. For three months, Alessio had made sure I took them. Every. Single. Day.

Now they just sat there, mocking me.

I walked right past them, over to the bed.

"Marcella?" Alessio sounded confused. "You haven't taken your vitamins."

I ignored him, laid down, and pulled the covers over my head.

"Marcella!" His voice rose. "What are you doing?"

I closed my eyes.

"Damn it!" He strode to the bed and ripped the covers off me. "Are you going to risk the baby just to get rid of Bianca?"

The baby.

How ironic.

He never cared about me. Only the baby in my belly.

"Marcella, get up!" Alessio's anger exploded. "You think this will make me kick Bianca out? You manipulative woman!"

Manipulative.

I laughed silently.

The truly manipulative ones were him and Gianni.

I rolled over, turning my back to him.

"You!" Alessio was shaking with rage, but he didn't drag me out of bed.

The room fell silent.

A long time later, I heard the door open. He was gone.

Later that night, I woke up thirsty.

I tiptoed downstairs. The kitchen was dark.

I poured a glass of water, about to head back up, when I heard voices from the garden.

Through the glass door, I saw Alessio and Bianca standing in the moonlight.

"Why can't I have my old room back?" Bianca's voice was laced with hurt. "All my memories are in there."

Alessio sighed. "I promised her there would be no trace of you in this house."

"But I'm back now," Bianca stepped closer. "She should understand."

"Bianca," Alessio's voice was tired. "She's pregnant."

"So what if she's pregnant?" Bianca's tone turned sharp. "Didn't you say you never wanted a child with her?"

My hand, holding the glass, froze.

Alessio was silent for a few seconds, then gave a bitter laugh. "I was drunk that night. I got careless."

"Careless?"

"I forgot to make sure the doctor gave her the shot," Alessio admitted, his voice low. "Three years, I never missed it. Just that one time..."

Three years.

A birth control shot.

I thought back. I remembered how he'd stiffen every time I held him after we slept together and said I wanted a baby with him.

I remembered wondering why I never got pregnant, even though we were together so often.

I thought it was because I grew up poor, that my body wasn't strong enough. I choked down bitter supplements every day, just for the chance of a future with him.

It turns out the "love" he was feeding me every day was poison, meant to keep me from ever having his child.

"So what now?" Bianca's voice was panicked. "You're not really going to keep this baby, are you?"

"The baby is Moretti blood," Alessio's voice became firm. "It stays."

Bianca went silent.

"I've already bought a penthouse in Manhattan," Alessio continued. "You can move in in a couple of days."

"What?" Bianca's voice shot up. "You're kicking me out?"

"I'm not kicking you out," Alessio explained. "I just don't want to upset Marcella. She's pregnant. She can't be emotional."

Don't want to upset me?

What a beautiful lie.

If he really didn't want to upset me, why did he have me injected with birth control behind my back?

Why did he leak that humiliating video?

"Alessio..." Bianca's voice broke into a sob. "Don't you love me anymore?"

No answer.

Then I saw Bianca throw herself at Alessio, stand on her toes, and kiss him.

Alessio froze for a second but didn't push her away.

Bianca grabbed his hand and slowly placed it on her waist.

Under the moonlight, their shadows tangled together.

Alessio's hand began to stroke her back.

She let out a soft sigh.

"I missed you, Alessio," she whispered in his ear. "I've been going crazy thinking about you."

"Bianca..." Alessio's voice was hoarse.

"You missed me too, didn't you?" Her hands started unbuttoning his shirt. "She could never love you like I do."

Alessio didn't stop her.

They kissed more deeply. Bianca's dress slipped to the ground.

And watching it all, a wave of nausea rolled through my stomach.

I couldn't hold it back. I spun around, ran to the sink, and threw up the water I’d just drunk.

I gripped the counter, dry-heaving until there was nothing left.

When I looked up, I saw my reflection in the dark window. Pale face, empty eyes.

I smiled at my dead-eyed reflection. Oh, Alessio, I thought. You are going to burn for this.