18

The sun was just beginning to set as Valeria’s cab pulled up in front of Bella’s cozy house. The warm, inviting glow of the porch light was the first thing Valeria noticed, and it made her chest tighten with emotion. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like she was stepping into a place where she could truly breathe.

Before she could even knock, the door swung open, and there stood Bella, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her friend. “Valeria!” Bella exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

Valeria smiled softly, the weight of the past few days momentarily lifting as she embraced Bella. “I missed you too,” she said, her voice laced with exhaustion.

Bella stepped back, keeping her hands on Valeria’s shoulders as she gave her a once-over. “You look... tired,” Bella said gently. “Come in. Let’s get you settled.”

Valeria nodded and followed Bella inside. The house smelled of freshly baked cookies and lavender, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile atmosphere of the Moreno mansion. Bella led her to the living room and motioned for her to sit on the plush sofa.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll grab you something to drink,” Bella said, heading toward the kitchen.

Valeria sank into the sofa, letting out a deep sigh as she glanced around the room. It was filled with warmth and personal touches—family photos, soft blankets draped over chairs, and the faint sound of a cheerful tune playing in the background. It was everything her life with Markus wasn’t.

Bella returned a moment later, holding a tray with two glasses of juice. “I made pineapple juice,” she said, placing the glasses on the coffee table. “It’s fresh. You’ll love it.”

Valeria froze for a moment, her gaze dropping to the glasses. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, and she hesitated before speaking. “Bella, I... I can’t have pineapple juice.”

Bella tilted her head, confused. “Why not? You used to love it. Are you allergic now?”

Valeria’s heart raced as she tried to find the words. She hadn’t planned on telling Bella so soon, but the moment had arrived, and there was no avoiding it. She looked up at her friend, her eyes glistening.

“It’s not that,” Valeria said softly, her voice trembling. “It’s because... I’m pregnant.”

Bella’s eyes widened in shock as she sat down next to Valeria. “You’re what? Valeria, are you serious?”

Valeria nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek as she smiled faintly. “Yes. I found out recently. I wasn’t sure how to tell anyone.”

Bella’s expression shifted from shock to joy as she threw her arms around Valeria. “Oh my God, Valeria! This is incredible news!” she exclaimed, pulling back to look at her. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I’ve had so much on my mind,” Valeria admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s complicated, Bella. Markus doesn’t even know.”

Bella’s face darkened at the mention of Markus. “That man,” she muttered, shaking her head. “But you know what? Forget him. This is your moment, Valeria. This baby is your blessing, and I’m here for you, no matter what.” Valeria smiled through her tears, grateful for Bella’s support. 

Bella leaned back, her brows furrowing in concern as she studied Valeria’s face. “What are you planning to do now?” she asked gently, her voice laced with worry. “I mean... Markus, the divorce—what’s your next step, V?”

Valeria stared down at her hands clasped in her lap, her fingers trembling slightly. The weight of Bella’s question was crushing. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, her lips trembled, and her shoulders began to shake.

“I... I don’t know,” she finally admitted, her voice breaking as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t know what to do, Bella. Everything feels so... uncertain. I thought I could handle this, but...”

Bella scooted closer and wrapped an arm around Valeria, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “Hey, it’s okay,” she whispered soothingly. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now. One step at a time, okay?”

Valeria sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “I never thought it would end up like this,” she whimpered, her voice cracking. “I married Markus thinking... maybe things would change. Maybe he’d see me as more than just someone his mother chose for him. But he doesn’t care, Bella. He never cared.”

Bella tightened her grip around Valeria’s shoulders. “Markus is a fool,” she said firmly, her tone brimming with anger. “Anyone who can’t see your worth doesn’t deserve you. And honestly? If he’s willing to throw away someone as amazing as you, it’s his loss.”

Valeria let out a shaky sigh. “But what about the baby?” she whispered, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach. “How am I supposed to raise this child on my own? I don’t even have a plan, Bella. I don’t have anything.”

“You have me,” Bella said, pulling back to look Valeria in the eye. “You’re not alone in this, Valeria. I’m here, and we’ll figure it out together. You’re stronger than you think, and that baby? That baby is going to have the best mom in the world, with or without Markus.”

Valeria bit her lip, her chest tightening at Bella’s words. “I just... I don’t want to fail,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve already lost so much. I can’t lose this too.”

“You won’t,” Bella said firmly. “You’re going to be okay, Valeria. I promise. But first, you need to stop putting yourself down. You’ve got a lot of fight in you—I’ve seen it. And if Markus wants a divorce, fine. Let him go. You’ll build something better for yourself and your child.”

Valeria nodded slowly, her tears subsiding as Bella’s words began to sink in. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. For the first time in days, she felt a small flicker of hope, like a tiny flame refusing to be snuffed out.

“You’ll never have to find out,” Bella said with a reassuring smile. “Now, let’s focus on what really matters—you and that little one.” Valeria managed a small smile, her hand resting protectively over her stomach. 

Bella gently helped Valeria up from the couch, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Come on,” Bella said softly, leading her toward the hallway. “You’ve been through a lot. You need rest. The stress isn’t good for you or the baby.”

Valeria let herself be guided, her body feeling heavier with every step. The emotional toll of the past days, the uncertainty of her future, and the weight of her unspoken fears had drained her completely. Bella opened the door to the guest room, a cozy space with a plush bed adorned with soft, cream-colored linens.

“Here,” Bella said, pulling back the covers for her. “Get comfortable. I’ll bring you something warm to drink if you need it, or just let you sleep if that’s what you want.”

Valeria shook her head weakly as she sat on the edge of the bed. “No, it’s okay. I just need to lie down,” she murmured.

Bella nodded, crouching in front of her to squeeze her hands. “You’ll be okay, Valeria,” she said with a small, reassuring smile. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. Get some rest. We’ll talk more in the morning, okay?”

Valeria gave a faint nod, her lips trembling as she whispered, “Thank you, Bella. For everything.”

“Anytime,” Bella replied, standing up and tucking the blanket around Valeria once she lay down. “Take a nap, Val. Sleep well.” Bella quietly left the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Valeria alone with her thoughts. She stared at the ceiling. 

The dim light from a bedside lamp casting soft shadows across the room. Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach as her mind wandered back to the manor. “Would Markus even notice I am gone? Would he care?” She wondered.

The thought brought a fresh sting of tears to her eyes. She could picture him in his cold, detached demeanor, going about his life as if nothing had changed. Would he even ask his mother where she was? Would he be relieved to have her gone?

The ache in her chest deepened as she remembered how dismissive he had been during their last conversation. His indifference cut deeper than any harsh words he could have spoken. She had spent so long trying to prove herself to him, to make their marriage work, only to realize that he had never cared at all.

And yet, despite everything, a small part of her still hoped. Hoped that somewhere beneath his cold exterior, he might have a shred of regret, a flicker of emotion for the child she carried. But that hope was fleeting, and she quickly buried it, knowing it would only lead to more pain.

She wiped her tears away, determined to stay strong for her child. “It doesn’t matter if he notices,” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “I’ll be enough. I have to be.” Closing her eyes, Valeria took a shaky breath and curled up under the blanket.