Chapter 1

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Milan. Please keep your seat belts fastened until the aircraft has landed completely. We kindly ask that you remain seated."

With my eyes closed, I listened to the announcement and then reluctantly opened them to glance at my husband, who was sleeping peacefully beside me.

I glanced at him while wondering what awaited us as we return to life which we had left behind nearly two months ago.

Despite having a long and happy time together on our trip to Seychelles, it seemed like it was our last attempt at regaining the happiness that Marc had suggested after one of our quarrels. However, upon returning home to Milan, trouble started again.

We all gathered at the villa for my father-in-law, Antonio's birthday celebration which included Bella's family the women Marc was betrothed to marry but he chose to marry me instead as he had fall in love with me at that time so even after his father opposed to our union he was determined to marry him leaving no space for discussion. However, this didn't prevent the Costa family from frequently being invited to social gatherings at his father's villa due to their close friendship with us. Today—Antonio’s special day—we had to be polite and cordial towards them even if it meant watching Bella openly flirt with Marc.

The party had been going on for hours, but the music and laughter still floated up to my room in waves. Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't seem to fall into a deep slumber. And then, just as I was beginning to drift off, I heard it: music, soft and seductive, echoing through the halls and beckoning me downstairs.

I hesitated, knowing I should stay in bed and rest. But the curiosity tugging at me was too strong to resist. I slipped on a robe and tiptoed down the stairs, following the intoxicating melody.

As I neared the source of the sound, I could make out voices and the clinking of glasses. And then, as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw them: Bella and Marc, moving in perfect harmony, her body entwined with his.

I could feel the jealousy burning inside of me, a fierce flame that threatened to consume me. How could he be dancing with her like that, when just hours ago he had been holding me in his arms, whispering sweet nothings? My voice came out in a hoarse whisper. ““Marc….” but he didn't seem to hear me.

I turned and retreated back to my room, trying to quiet the tumultuous emotions raging inside of me. But the image of them together, lost in their own world of sensuality and desire, haunted me and made it impossible to sleep.

The jealousy inside me burned fiercely throughout the night as my mind raced until finally succumbing back into slumber at three o'clock in the morning -but not before realizing that Marc had still yet come back upstairs.

The clock on my nightstand ticked away the hours as I lay there, my thoughts racing and my heart beating erratically. Three o'clock in the morning came and went, and still Marc had not come back upstairs.

As I lay there, my imagination ran wild with negative thoughts. Was he spending the night with Bella? Were they laughing and flirting while I lay here alone? The thought made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease and betrayal that simmered within me.

Where was Marc? Why hadn't he come back? I knew I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but it was hard not to when my mind was consumed with jealousy. I tossed and turned, trying to fall back asleep, but my thoughts wouldn't let me. Eventually, exhaustion overtook me, and I succumbed back into slumber, my last conscious realization being that Marc still hadn't come back upstairs.

The room was so silent that it felt heavy, except for the rhythmic breathing of the three figures sprawled on the bed. Marc had dark hair tousled from sleep, body sheathing with sweat as he lay there with his eyes closed in this very intimate moment with Bella. I stood at the door with my heart pounding against my chest, with shaking hands carved from anger and betrayal. In that very moment I would hardly have known him to be the man I knew so well and to be the man I had loved.

Bella, long strands of blonde hair fanning out over the pillow behind her, turned to me and sneered. She knew that this would break me up into a million pieces and didn't care. 

The

 pleasure and satisfaction she derived in control over both Marc and me filled her eyes.

I passed them, darting back and forth between the two of them. The memories of all the other times flooded my mind: late nights at work, the unanswered calls and texts, the lies Marc spun effortlessly. I had always known there were other women, but each time I found another one, it was like a knife twisting in my gut. Still, I had forgiven him always, believed in his excuses and lies, always blindly entrusting him again and again.

But there I stood, watching them together, and realizing I could never forgive him again-for it became too much to bear-the ache, the pang; forever it would haunt me, reminding me of that other man and that woman who had destroyed us both.

Speechless, I turned and walked away from the sight that was beyond forgiveness.

As most guests had departed for their respective homes already we found ourselves alone together when a heated argument ensued once he arrived later on much later than anticipated which left us both drained emotionally but ultimately closer due despite all obstacles thrown in front of us up till thus far- proving just how strong love can truly be!

Antonio stood in our room, glaring at me with disdain. He scolded me and asked why I was so jealous of Bella. Antonio claimed that it was because deep down, I knew Marc should have married her instead of an ordinary girl like me who lacked a respectable family background. According to him, convincing Marc to marry someone undeserving made me despicable. His words were harsh enough for him to demand that I leave his house immediately as no one needed my presence there anymore. In response to the verbal assault from Antionio, all Marc could offer is silence while watching us argue until eventually tossing off my ring hastily before departing.

Believing that Marc shared his father's disapproval of our marriage, I sought refuge in our apartment. Throughout the night, conflicting emotions consumed me: love and hate, jealousy and longing. As dawn approached, I decided to go out and clear my mind.

After riding a taxi, I arrived at Naviglio - an always jam-packed location. With no clear direction in mind, I wandered aimlessly feeling lost and defeated. This was all due to the fact that despite having faith in him, he had betrayed me by bringing another woman into our bed! How could this happen? My tears flowed uncontrollably as my heart shattered into pieces.

Having walked for hours, the realization hit me that it was almost dusk and I found myself stranded in an abandoned location. However, fortune favored me as a taxi arrived to rescue my situation and transport me safely back to our apartment.

Several days had passed since the incident and after Marc left, and it was then that I mustered up the courage to call my parents. The phone rang, but when someone answered on the other end, I knew immediately that it wasn't my mother speaking. However, before I could inquire about who it was, they spoke first: "Carmen? It's Aunt Beth - your neighbor. Your parents were in an accident and have been hospitalized; you need to come back right away because their condition is serious and we're taking care of them."

I was completely immobilized by shock for a moment, and I collapsed heavily into the sofa.