All Chapters of APHRODISIA : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Maria Cruz married Hernandez Andres in a dreamlike turn of events. One moment she was a young girl helping out her parents in their little food shack in the middle of Puebla, Mexico. The next, she was someone’s wife. Hernandez walked into her life like he was always meant to be there; with his charming disposition and an aura that was more golden that sun rays. He was the perfect definition of tall, dark and handsome, with his tan skin and one - dimpled smile. Maria was only 18 when they met and Hernandez was already 25, but with him , she felt like an old soul; one that had her trusty soulmate by her side. The age gap never felt weird between them. Theirs was a marriage built on love almost fairytale- like. He was the perfect prince charming and she, the willing damsel in distress , who thrived off the attention he showered her. Just like that, the first fruit of their marriage arrived and Hernandez couldn’t be more attentive. It filled Maria with great joy and reassurance that she

Zara's POV The thought haunts me constantly. The result of my actions. I know I did not deceive the family alone, but it does not hurt any less. I thought we could go through these four years without any one finding out. Yunno…get divorced on a clean slate and everyone gets to move on with their lives. But I guess, deep down, I had anticipated that it would come to limelight.The thing about lies is that you live in constant anxiety of when it might get exposed , and so, you put it extra work to make sure that it stays concealed. And when it is no longer in the dark, then comes the regret. Regret like the one I feel now. Intertwined with the regret I feel is guilt. Guilt for the pain I caused the family, that I would be behind their hurt expressions and disappointment. The weight of it is suffocating. It squeezes round my neck like a noose, squeezing tighter and tighter with each passing day. A week has passed after Maria found out about our big secret but there’s been nothing from

Marcello’s POV Mama has been giving Zara the cold shoulder since she found out about us two weeks ago. Carlotta informed me that she had accompanied Zara to go see her, but she wouldn’t let them in. Although she hasn’t mentioned anything about it, I know she’s still worried. These days, she’s been doing everything within to stay distracted and even though I’d rather she doesn’t work, as long as she stays happy, then I’m fine.The highlight of my monotonous days, has been going home to my little family. By the time I get home, she’s usually asleep, tossing and turning to find the perfect position. It breaks my heart that she’s going through so much to birth my kids and that there’s very little I can do to help her. So, I do what I can by relieving some of her burden. It’s the way she completely relaxes when I place my hand under her abdomen that assures me I’m on the right track. It's currently the weekend and though I work on most weekends, I’m thinking of doing something meaningf

Zara’s POV Marcello returns from taking his call with a grim look on his face. Something does not feel right. When he sees me looking, he gives me a small unconvincing smile.“What’s wrong? Who was it?”“ It was Mum.”Carlotta perks up from beside me. “ What did she say? Is she alright?”“ She wants to see us at home.”He turns to me again. “ Sugar, come.”I place my hand in his tentatively, while Carlotta packs up the dishes we used and follows behind us. Maria finally decided to see me…us. I should be happy, right? But instead I feel more anxious. Something about the urgency with which we’re leaving the arena looms over me like a bad omen. I can tell Marcello is equally anxious because of the way he tightens his grip on my hands. He walks in long strides, while I struggle to keep up. I don’t call his attention to the fact that I can’t match his pace with my large belly, or that he is seconds away from ripping from arm clean off my shoulder blades.He helps me settle in the pass

Zara’s POVI don’t cry. I will myself not to. After he not so hesitantly agreed to breaking off our marriage, I remained frozen in place. The room was quieter than we first walked in , and for once, mom was quiet. She no longer stared at me with disgust, she now had pity in her eyes. It made my skin crawl. I sat quietly, picking the skin around my finger nails. It was the only thing I could do to show my indifference, to hide the storm that was brewing within. I wanted nothing more than to break something, hit someone; Marcello precisely and scream till my voice became hoarse.From the corner of my eyes, I could see dad seething quietly, but he had never been one for creating scenes. Maria looked like this wasn’t the outcome she was expecting. And Marcello, he actually looked indifferent, unlike my poor attempt to be. “ Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” Papa Hernandez asked.“ I’m sure.”He didn’t even ask my opinion, whether it was okay by me. How dare he make a decision