Stephanie Miller. Two months later. After a long day of surgeries and procedures, I just want to get to sleep. I got home and fell into bed, completely dazed with exhaustion. Suddenly, the incipient ringing of my cell phone disturbs my lazy state. Reluctantly, I looked at the phone and saw Amelia’s name on the screen. I close my eyes, sigh, and answer her. “What’s up? It’s not like you haven’t seen me today.” “Don’t you dare fall asleep, Steph. Today is Girls’ Night! “Oh, no!” “Oh yes, as your bridesmaid, it is my duty to give you your last night as a bachelorette, and you will obey me in everything. Is that clear?” “Can I cancel? I don’t want to go out tonight, Amelia.” “Hell no! With Emily, we prepared everything. The gang has already been warned and they will wait for us. The limo will pick you up at 9:00 p.m. You need to be ready, Steph.” “Alright. I’ll go change then.” “Perfect. See you in a bit, queen.” We both cut it off when I heard the door open. I look out and see

Stephanie Miller. “It’s nice to see you here, babe. I was already missing your scent.” Who the fuck is he? After a minute of extreme confusion, I broke free from his grasp and stood up abruptly. I widen my eyes, realizing that it is none other than Vicenzo. He, realizing that I recognized him, flashes an amused smile as he says. “I’m glad you’re okay now. I like Stephanie’s version better without the effects of drugs. Don’t get me wrong, you’re pretty hot that way. Although in both versions, you are still… feisty.” I frown as I tell him. “How do you know about the drug thing?” He opens his eyes and says. “And you still don’t remember it. Well, I’ll leave it to you for homework, babe.” I’m going to refute it when we’re interrupted by Matt. He looks at us both and says. “I see you’ve already met my fiancée.” I look at them both, frown and say. “Where do you know each other?” Matt tells me. “He is the owner of the bar you were at last night and he is also the owner of this rest

Stephanie Miller.Vicenzo takes my hand and quickly leads me to his car. He drives at full speed. My tears run down my cheeks, and I can’t help but feel like my chest has broken into a thousand pieces. In an instant, I see my destroyed life as I look out the window. My lover, the one who was my partner for twenty years, cheated on me. He destroyed our bond; he made fun of my trust and my love.Vicenzo says nothing. He just looks at me and occasionally squeezes my hand affectionately. After what seems like an eternity, I hear him clear his throat and say. “Babe, I don’t know what happened and I won’t pressure you to tell me, but from what I see, you went out without a cell phone and your friends and your father will be worried about you.”I sigh at what he tells me, and I know he is right. I tell him, “You’re right. Can I borrow your cell phone?” I see he takes it out from his inside jacket pocket. He hands it to me. I look at the screen for a few minutes. I take a breath and dial E

Stephanie Miller.I slowly unlock my cell phone while I feel my heart beating like crazy. I take a deep breath and enter the messages app. I open it and I can read:Sunday, 10:30 p.m.Matt: Steph, I need to talk to you. Where are you?Matt: Please dear, let me explain. That’s me, but it’s not me.Matt: Stephanie, answer the phone.Matt: I’m worried about you. Tell me, where are you? Just tell me you’re okay and I won’t bother you again.Matt: Steph, we were both wrong. Remember that I also have the photos of you with a guy. Someone cannot make that up.Matt: Come on, dear. We can beat this. We have been together for a lifetime. Will you let this tear us apart?Monday, 2.33 a.m.Matt: Stephanie, I’m really worried about you. We have looked for you everywhere, and your father refuses to tell me where you are. Please, just tell me you’re okay. I need to hear from you. I need to hear your voice. I need…Monday, 10:52 a.m.Matt: Stephanie, where the fuck are you? You’re with that guy, aren’

Stephanie Miller.My eyes widen when I realize that the one behind the incessant tapping is Matt. My breathing changes, my pulse speeds up. Vicenzo, noticing it, hugs me and says in my ear, “I won’t let him get close to you, babe. But you must calm down. Remember that it’s not just you now. You carry three souls with you.” I nod at his words and while I don’t look away from him, I breathe slowly.From outside we continue hearing, “Come on, Amelia. I know you hate me, but please, I need to know if she’s okay. No one tells me anything, and it is as if the earth had swallowed her.” Amelia frowns, indignant, and yells through the door, “Bloody hell! How do you not realize that no one wants to talk to you? Nobody wants to be around you, Matt! Leave Stephanie alone!”“Can you open the door, please?” I watch as Amelia sighs and whispers to me, “I won’t let him in. I’ll talk to him outside.” I took her hands, imploring her not to say anything. She notices my fear and says. “Queen, I wou