Chapter 3

Romano was still giving orders, and the constant chatter made me so irritated that I couldn't eat a single bite.

Teresa's eyes darted between us before she suddenly burst into tears. "Selene, you haven't touched your food. Are you still angry that I'm carrying Romano's baby? If you are, you can hit me or yell at me. Just please don't bottle it up…"

"I'm not angry," I said flatly.

"I know people have been calling you a barren woman behind your back, but I really hope you don't take it to heart…"

Before I could even react, Romano slammed his cutlery onto the table with a deafening clang. "Where did you hear that? Who said it? How dare they spread filth about the Caliendo family's Donna? They must have a death wish!"

Teresa flinched. A flicker of panic crossed her face. "I-It was a long time ago. I don't even remember where I heard it from… Romano, why are you being so scary? You're making me feel sick."

She hung her head, and her shoulders heaved with practiced sobs.

After a sigh, Romano patted her shoulder. "Stop crying. It's not good for the baby."

Teresa looked up at him. "Romano… Maybe I shouldn't have come here."

"Don't be silly," Romano said gently. "I brought you here, and here you'll stay. Just focus on resting."

As I watched the two of them, a wave of nausea rolled over me. I pushed my chair back to stand up.

At that exact moment, Teresa stood up. Clutching her stomach, she wobbled toward me. "Selene… I know you hate me… I'll get on my knees. Just please don't be mad at Romano."

As she spoke, she actually started to sink toward the floor.

I didn't reach out to catch her. I knew that the second I touched her, she would fall.

Sure enough, before her knees even hit the ground, she tilted to the side with a sharp cry. "Ah!"

"Teresa!" Romano rushed over. He shoved me aside and pulled Teresa into his arms.

The force of the shove was so strong that I staggered backward several steps. My side hit the corner of the table. The pain made me gasp, and a dull ache pulsed in my lower abdomen.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

My baby…

"Teresa, are you okay?" Romano's voice was thick with panic.

Teresa clung to him. Her face was pale as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Romano… my stomach… it hurts…"

Romano turned ghostly white. He scooped her up in his arms and roared toward the hallway, "Call a doctor! Get a doctor here now!"

He sprinted out of the dining room with her in his arms. Not once did he look back at me.

…

After an examination, the doctor confirmed my baby was fine.

Papa was coming to get me tonight, so I carefully packed my things.

My phone buzzed. It was another message from Teresa.

"Selene, did you know? Romano's hands were shaking when he held me. He's terrified of losing my baby and me, but he isn't afraid of losing you.

"You hit the table pretty hard, didn't you? Does it hurt? It's a shame, really. There's only room for one woman by Romano's side, and that's me."

As I stared at the words, my fingers tightened around the phone.

I opened my chat with Romano. The last message was from him yesterday. "Selene, wait for me to come home."

I didn't reply.

Instead, I pulled the divorce papers from my bag, signed my name, and left them on the nightstand. I left a note beside it.

"Romano, I've signed the divorce papers. Don't come looking for me."

I changed into something comfortable, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out of the bedroom.

Addio, Brindleport.

Addio, Romano.