Chapter 2

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was an Instagram notification.

"From now on, Luca will have Enzo with him at every parent-teacher meeting!"

In the photo, Bianca and Enzo stood on either side of Luca, their smiles lighting up his face. Every word in her caption overflowed with pride.

While Luca was being cherished by Enzo, my baby had already been erased from his world.

"Enzo," I thought bitterly, "when you finally realize that you chose another child over our own, will you feel even the slightest regret?"

I grabbed my phone and instructed my lawyer to forward the signed divorce agreement to Enzo.

A whole week went by, and I still hadn't received a reply. Determined, I arranged for the divorce agreement to be delivered straight to his office.

Even three days later, there was no response. With no other option left, I called to confront him.

"Carmela, I really liked the gift you sent this time," Enzo said. "Stop lying just to get my attention, and stop being jealous of Bianca and Luca. Only then will I promise to care about you more."

Before I could say anything, his words struck me silent.

He was referring to the package I had sent to his office—the one that held our divorce agreement.

He hadn't even bothered to open it and assumed it was some kind of peace offering from me.

"That's not a gift, Enzo," I said firmly. "It's a divorce agreement."

"Are you out of your mind, Carmela? That was a week ago! Are you seriously still hung up on it? Can't you behave yourself for once? You're pregnant, for heaven's sake! Why are you acting like this?"

Bianca spoke up suddenly. "Carmela, if your marriage is falling apart because of me and Luca, we'll leave. Just please don't divorce Enzo! He loves you so much. If you leave him, he'll lose his mind!"

Then, she said to him, "Enzo, don't be angry. Carmela's just upset. You should comfort her. Pregnant women act like this sometimes. She doesn't really want a divorce—she just wants your attention."

Although Bianca seemed like she was defending me, in truth, she was criticizing me, implying I was short-tempered and impulsive.

Enzo sneered coldly. "Let's just hope our baby doesn't inherit your temper and jealousy."

At that moment, I completely lost control. "Enzo, the baby's gone! You'll never see them!" I shouted, tears pouring down my face.

After a tense silence, Enzo's cold voice pierced through the phone. "Carmela, stop being ridiculous. I can't stand it when you make jokes about the baby. I'm taking Luca out to buy some toys. I don't have time for your lies."

His words struck me like a knife to the heart.

"Enzo, I'll take Luca out. You should go home and be with Carmela," Bianca chimed in. "A pregnant woman's emotions can affect the baby's development!"

Her concern was only surface-deep; in reality, she was hinting that I was jeopardizing the baby's health to get attention.

"Carmela's just overreacting. Don't worry about her," Enzo replied.

The call ended the next second. Tears of frustration and helplessness poured down my face.

The next two weeks were unbearable. Enzo made no effort to contact me. It felt as though he had completely forgotten I was his wife.

Every day, I watched the other patients being cared for by their families. The loneliness cut me to the bone.

Under the covers each night, I grasped my unborn baby's clothes and wept quietly.

Over those two weeks, my heart broke repeatedly as I mourned both my baby and the end of my marriage.

Letting go of the man I once loved tore something deep inside me. I knew it would take a long time to heal.

One day, the doctor finally told me I could be discharged. As I walked past the pediatric clinic, I saw Enzo carrying Luca in his arms for his check-up.

"Dad… Mom… I'm scared of the needle," Luca whimpered. He clutched Enzo's hand, his eyes welling with tears.

"It's okay, don't be scared." Enzo comforted him. "I'll stay right here with you. When you get better, I'll take you to the amusement park."

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Luca. I'll be right here with you too," Bianca added.

The three of them looked like a happy family.

Meanwhile, my deceased baby and I were nothing more than abandoned shadows. I placed my hand over my flat belly, my heart breaking all over again.

Suddenly, the truth became clear. My baby and I were meaningless in Enzo's world.

It was Bianca and Luca who truly mattered—the ones he cherished and protected above all else.

The last shred of hope in my heart finally faded.

Pain surged through me, pushing me to the brink of collapse.

"Are you alright?"

A janitor came over to steady me. After thanking her, I turned and left.