Jormungandr
Three days before our wedding, I found out I was pregnant with Matteo Calderone's baby.
I hurried to tell him, only to find my best friend, Raffaella Moro, crying in his arms.
"What am I going to do... It's his baby... That man from the projects... He forced me..."
Matteo gently patted her back, his chin resting on her head. His voice was softer than I'd ever heard it.
"Don't be scared. I promise you, I'll take care of you and the baby.
"Even after I'm married, this will be the only child I ever have."
I stood around the corner in the hallway, the doctor's report crumpled in my fist.
For three years, I'd followed them everywhere. I'd taken a knife for Raffaella, fought Matteo's fights, and cleaned up more of their messes than I could count.
I did it all because I couldn't bear to lose either of them: my boyfriend or my best friend.
Raffaella cried herself out and fell asleep in Matteo's arms.
Finally, Matteo turned around and glanced at me.
"Oh, right, Elena. How did your checkup go?"
I opened my mouth, but barely got a word out.
He waved me off and turned back to Raffaella.
"You're strong and healthy. I'm sure you're fine. Raffaella's been through so much. I need to stay with her. Don't overthink it."
I stayed where I was.
I watched him hold Raffaella's hand and brush a tear from the corner of her eye with his thumb.
The wall lights cast their shadows across the floor until they merged into one.
I stood at the edge of their shadows and realized there was no place for me beside them.
I stuffed the report into my pocket, turned, and left the exam room.
I took out my satellite phone and called the number I'd saved three years ago but never used.
"Father, I lost.
"I'm ready to do what the family wants."