VICTORIA’S POV
I woke to familiar beeping sounds. When I opened my eyes, it didn’t surprise me to see I was in a hospital bed with an IV attached to the back of my hand.
“You are awake?” a woman in a doctor’s coat asked with a smile. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Devonte?”
“I...” My throat dried, remembering the terrible ache in my abdomen when Alessandro stopped me. What if something happened to my baby? “H–how is my baby?” I needed to know.
The doctor smiled, touching my arm and spreading a sense of comfort. “Your baby is fine. But you need to rest. No anxiety. It could affect you or the baby’s health.”
The heavy stone that had taken residence in my heart disappeared at her words. My baby was fine. Relief washed over me. However, my relief dissipated when I realized she had called me Mrs. Devonte.
“Who brought me here, Doctor?” I asked, fearing it may have been Alessandro.
“Your husband. Don’t worry, he said he’ll be back soon. He just went out to complete some procedures.”
Fear filled me. “Did you tell him about my pregnancy?” I asked, worried she might have said something. I couldn’t let Alessandro find out.
A momentary confusion passed over the doctor’s face, but then she shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Please, don’t tell him,” I requested.
“But...” She peered at me quizzically.
“Please, Doctor, Don’t tell him. I don’t want him to know.”
The doctor seemed hesitant, but nodded. As she turned to leave, Alessandro entered the room. I shifted my eyes to the window, feeling both guilty and awkward.
“How is she, Doctor?” he asked.
“She’s doing well. Vitals look good.”
“Why did she faint?”
He had never cared about me when I had wanted him to care, but just then he started caring? What the hell? I couldn’t help but face the doctor with fear in my eyes, hoping she kept my secret.
“We’re not sure,” the doctor said. “It could be any number of reasons, and her blood work is still in the lab.”
Thank Lord!
The doctor left the room, and I wished he would, too. I no longer wanted him around. It was too difficult because I still loved him. It would be easier to move on and forget him if I could just keep away from him—and if he would keep away from me.
I didn’t get my wish. Instead, he approached and placed a bag on the side table, pulling a box out of it. “You need healthy food,” he said, smiling as he placed the box before me. “I brought some shrimp porridge for you.”
The urge to punch him came over me. For three bloody years, I had stayed beside him, taking care of everything. Three years later, my soon-to-be ex-husband had no idea what I could and couldn’t eat. How could he not know I was allergic to shrimp? Probably because it was the first time in all our years together that he’d ever gotten something for me.
I needed to get him out of there, so I closed the box and pushed it back into the bag.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his face filled with confusion.
“These last three years have been a nightmare for me, and I don’t want you anymore. So you can quit with your caring act and leave me alone.”
It pierced my soul to utter those words, yet I felt I had no choice. Though I still loved him, I also had to have some dignity and pride.
Alessandro didn’t like to hear “no” and wasn’t used to rejection. He took a step forward, his jaw tightening. “Provided you come back home, I’ll ignore those words and won’t bother about anything that happened before, either.”
Was he kidding? Did he just blame everything on me? Of course. Because he thought I was a greedy and needy woman. In his mind, that was why I married him. But that had never been the case. Foolishly, I loved him. Yet he always seemed to despise me.
I couldn’t help but chuckle, and it sounded hurt and bitter to my own ears. “Did you forget we’re legally separated?” I shook my head, pursing my lips. “Get out,” I said, then leaned back on the bed and closed my eyes.
A few seconds later, the whoosh and click of the door met my ears. The tears I had kept back while he was there slipped from my eyes.
ALESSANDRO’S POV
With rage burning, I walked out of the hospital. How dare she say those things to me? I had wanted to snap at her, but being a gentleman, I left. I had even set my pride aside, chasing after her, buying her food. And what had she done in response? Insulted me!
Fine. If she wanted to leave me, I’d give her what she wanted.
As I entered the hospital parking garage, Calvin rushed toward me. Then he looked behind me and seemed confused. “Mrs. Devonte is not coming home with us?”
“Don’t fucking mention that woman to me again! Do you know what she just did?”
He shook his head.
“I brought her porridge. Fucking porridge! The first time I’d ever brought a woman food. And she didn’t just refuse it, she insulted my generosity!”
“Mrs. Devonte refused your food?” he asked, his brow scrunched.
“Do I need to repeat myself?” With anger boiling, I could suppress the rage in my tone.
He quickly lowered his head. “N–No sir. That’s not what I mean.” He risked a glance. “It’s just that Mrs. Devonte has never disrespected food and kindness.”
His praise for her angered me even more.
As I opened my mouth to snap at him again, he asked, “Sir, you didn’t buy shrimp porridge, did you?”
My brow furrowed. What an odd question. How would he know I bought shrimp porridge?
“Did you, sir?” he asked again.
I nodded. “Yes. Why do you ask?”
Calvin shook his head and sighed loudly. “Mrs. Devonte is allergic to shrimp, sir. Didn’t you know?”
I wanted to hide in shame for being such an idiot.
ALESSANDRO’SPOVIchewed on the beef steak before me, trying to focus on dinner and keep thoughtsof Victoria out of my mind. However, nothing seemed as good as it used to be.Even my meal tasted wrong. It wasn’t the worst steak I’d ever eaten, but Iwasn’t feeling any satisfaction.Alreadyin a foul mood, the inadequate food made it worse. When I tasted the mashedpotatoes, I became enraged enough to throw my plate on the floor.Myhead housekeeper, Sofia, rushed to me in horror with two maids trailing her. She’dbeen our housekeeper since childhood, so she knew everything that went on inthe mansion. “Young master, what happened?” she asked with wide eyes.“Whathappened?” I yelled. “The food is what happened. Is there a new chef? Didn’tyou check his credentials?” Sofiapeered at the mess on the floor and ordered the maids to clean it, then lookedup at me and shook her head. “Young master, there’s been no change. Martin is thechef, as always. And his cooking hasn’t changed, eit
VICTORIA’SPOVWhilesipping my blue pea tea, I stared at the night sky. Though I wasn’t much of atea lover, it had a unique flavor, something learned from someone special inthe past.Myhand fell to my stomach, stroking and caressing. How I wished things were different.I wanted to be with Alessandro, especially through the pregnancy. But Icouldn’t.Ihad given him three years. Most people even grew to care for animals theydidn’t like if they lived with them that long. But I had been his wife, and hehad never grown to care for me. I didn’t know how he would react after hearingabout the baby. But I didn’t care anymore, not for him or his arrogant family.Thischild was mine, and I was its mother, end of discussion.“Penny,for your thoughts?” Antonio’s deep voice caught my attention. I peered at him inthe porch entrance, leaning against the door with his brow raised. My, helooked handsome. And he was incredibly understanding. The woman who landed him wouldbe awfully lucky. I
ALESSANDRO’S POVThe limousine stopped in front of one of the old convention halls in New York. Stepping out of the car, I stood straight. Camilla slipped out after me and latched onto my arm. I held back a growl of frustration, wishing it was just beside me instead.It felt as though things were so out of control. But I would find a way to make it right soon. I just had to get through that night, and everything would be fine. With long strides, I headed for the entrance.“Why are you in a rush, Al?” Camilla asked, sounding all too innocent, making me wonder how I hadn’t seen through her before. “Just follow me silently if you don’t want to go back home,” I said, coldly, keeping my eyes on the entrance. I didn’t hear any words from her, just a faded disappointed grunt.After checking in, we went inside to our table in the VIP section. As I turned to take my seat, I stopped short. Victoria was there in a red party dress with her shoulder-length hair combed back and bright red lips tha
He walked in handsomely, drawing a crowd of female guests’ attention. Well, I am used to that part, too, though.However, my brows furrowed the moment he walked directly to Victoria’s table. I swear, there was no doubt in his steps, and he sat next to her... Closely even!Victoria smiled brightly at him as if they had known each other for years. Antonio held her hand, dropping a kiss on her knuckle and kept holding it!Dude! Let the hand go! You are holding someone else’s wife’s hand! I thought angrily.What the bloody fuck is happening!? Well, it’s not only me, but everyone in the room is surprised!No one has ever seen Antonio Edwards with a woman or heard rumors. And when people see him with a lady, that is, my freaking wife!And I don’t understand how on earth Victoria knows this man! The famous Antonio Edwards and the non-famous Victoria!When did they even meet!? Her world kept roaming around me for three years; wherever she went, she was with me! Then how!?Every eye was on the
VICTORIA POVToday Iattended a business function independently for the first time in my life.Before, I used to go with Alessandro but not anymore.He isout of my life, and I have become more confident and independent in every way.I’ve learned that love alone isn’t enough to keep a relationship going;admiration and respect are also essential.Istarted my career in E.Shine.[G1] Corpwith Antonio’s support and attended my first business appearance as his VIPguest.A bitnervous, but it’s alright. I have come back to my real self. No more oiling toothers.I evenfaced my ex-husband and his favorite woman. Well, you know “who.” She even madea scene in public, and I only replied with a smile at her.To betruthful, I don’t really care about them anymore. When I watched Alessandrowith Camilla, I wasn’t that affected much. And because of her attitude, I felta little aggrieved for Alessandro. He really chose to be with a woman who didnot care about his reputation before the public.
VICTORIA POV“So?You have made the final decision?” Antonio asked, sipping his morning coffee.Ichewed the sausage in my mouth and gulped it before answering him. “Yes, I havedecided,” I said, sighing and caressing my belly. “I don’t want my child togrow up in a toxic place like Devonte’s mansion, nor want this innocent childto face that same cruel fate as mine like... before.”A heavylump in my throat turned into a drastic sound of anger and emotional damage.I felta light touch in my hand, and when I looked up, I met deep blue worried eyes,recalling me of our father.I shookmy head, smiling sadly. “Don’t worry; I have learned to accept the truth, Ant.Those three years in that family grew me up and taught me self-love andrespect, which I did not care about before,” I said as I held his hand inassurance before caressing my belly once again.“Thischild right here will grow up with a confident and loving mother. I promise...”I gulped the heavy lump away. “No more weak and e
VICTORIA POVI satbeside Alessandro all the way to the hospital. He was lying like a lifelessbody with an oxygen mask on his face. I was very anxious as we were going tothe hospital in the ambulance.Themale nurse beside me kept him in check and assured me everything would be fine.But, my worries are not taking a name for leaving.I am soscared. All cruel memories of the past kept roaming in my head as tears slippedthrough my eyes.All Icould hope was that nothing serious happened to him. Because if anything goeswrong, I can never forgive myself.Soon,we reached the hospital, which seemed like forever to me. The medical staffswere faster as they immediately set up a stretcher and took him inside.Ifollowed them.Thedoctor checked him on the spot and decided that he needed an operationimmediately.While Iwatched the nurses and other doctors taking him inside, the main doctor stoppedme, following them.“Mrs.Devonte, there is a procedure you need to sign.”Hiswords stopp
VICTORIA POVThefeeling of once again getting close to him was a kind of strange nauseous tome. I don’t think I can handle that. Moreover, there are lots of willing peopleto take care of him.I wasabout to deny the proposal, but aunt Gina beat me to it. “Mrs. Devonte?” Hereyes narrowed at me in suspicion. “Didn’t you just say you were divorced a fewago? How come you are still Mrs. Devonte?”Ialmost rolled my eyes at her but controlled myself. I don’t want to create anyscene in the hospital and remain calm as much as possible.“Yes,we are divorced, and that happened just this morning. Unfortunately, the doctordidn’t know it; at that time, it was impossible to describe all of it. Try tounderstand the situation.” I replied as the doctor stared at me, a little takenaback.“Wait!”Gina widened her eyes like a hypocrite. “Did you just sign the formal papers inthe hospital? How are you doing that!? You are not a family anymore!”Ireally can’t believe this woman. She is still ca