Chapter 3

I went home and started packing my things. I was finally ready to leave.

On the way, I stumbled upon Bianca's new Instagram post.

"Having Enzo with him at the doctor's made Luca brave. He wasn't afraid of the pain this time!"

The photo showed Enzo holding Luca close, his expression full of concern.

Enzo had commented on the post, "From now on, I'll always be there for him."

"I'll treat him like my own son."

As I read those words, tears filled my eyes again.

I had already been shattered by the loss of our baby. Yet here he was, promising to care for another woman's son.

Every ounce of his love should have belonged to our baby.

Grief coiled around my heart, leaving me gasping for air.

Upon returning home, I looked at the nursery I had lovingly prepared. Tears streamed down my face as I stood among all the baby items.

Enzo and I had planned every detail for our baby's arrival. But now, our child was lost to us.

The home that had once overflowed with happiness now felt like a knife twisting in my chest. All I wanted was to run away.

I grabbed my suitcase, ready to leave.

Just then, Enzo appeared at the door. "Great, you're back! Could you get the nursery ready? Bianca's bringing Luca over to stay here. Make sure the decorations are blue. Luca loves that color."

I froze. "What did you just say? Are you seriously letting another child sleep in our baby's room?"

Even though I had already decided to leave, seeing how openly biased Enzo was still broke me.

"You're only five months along," he retorted. "There's still plenty of time before our baby's born. Let Luca sleep in the nursery for now. We can always redecorate another room later. He's sick and needs someone to look after him, so he'll be staying here for a while."

Suddenly, Enzo's gaze landed on the suitcase beside me.

"Where do you think you're going? Since you couldn't get my attention by lying, are you attempting a little getaway now?"

He let out a cold, mocking laugh as he sank into the couch.

"You're about to be a mother, for crying out loud. Can't you be more mature and forgiving? Luca's never had a father. Why do you have to make a fuss just because I'm being kind to him? Besides, they're only staying here temporarily. Once Luca gets better, they'll leave."

Seeing Enzo pour his heart into caring for another woman's child felt like a dagger slowly twisting in my chest.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. If you want them to move in, so be it," I said. "You can have someone else tidy the room. I'm leaving."

I didn't want to speak to him any longer.

With every conversation, the truth sank in deeper. Bianca and Luca held a place in Enzo's heart that our baby and I never would.

Just as I took a few steps, Bianca appeared in the doorway with Luca. "Carmela, what's wrong? Are you upset that Luca and I came over? We'll leave right now. Please, don't be angry."

Feigning concern, she turned and led Luca away.

Without warning, Enzo stepped in, stopping her in her tracks. "You don't have to go. If anyone's leaving, it's Carmela. She's being ridiculous again."

With that, he carried Luca in his arms and headed to the nursery.

Bianca leaned in closer to me, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Did you see that, Carmela? As long as I'm here, Enzo will never put you first. He'll never see you as my equal, and your child will never measure up to mine."

The moment she finished speaking, she deliberately stumbled into the coffee table. "Ouch! Carmela! Even if you dislike me, you can't just push me like that!"

Enzo lunged forward, steadying her in the nick of time. "Bianca!"

His face was a mask of fury as he glared at me.

"Damn it, Carmela! How could you lay a hand on her?"

"I—" I tried to explain, but before I could get another word out, Enzo shoved me hard. I stumbled and crashed to the floor.

It was only then that he noticed my stomach. Where it had once gently curved, it had now flattened completely.

"Carmela, what happened to your belly? Where's the baby?"