Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Annalisa

Days quickly went by before I could tell, but thankfully, I was allowed to take my bath and serve myself now. The only words Cristiano and I exchanged were basic greetings, that was if he was even home. Sometimes, I wouldn’t see him for the entire day, and when I would ask, the staff would mention that he was out, handling business. It felt so strange being married, but never feeling like a wife. I kept telling myself I needed to do something more, something that could help me regain control over my life.

Soon, it was the start of a new week, and I decided it was time to get back to what I loved doing best—acting. I was done with hiding away, done with feeling sorry for myself. There were new projects casting announcements, and I had this determination to start auditioning again. I found some exciting opportunities online, as well as a few in the groups I was a part of as an actress. I took it as my chance to finally get back on my feet and take back what the scandal had tried to steal from me.

After a silent breakfast alone like the usual for the past few days, I set out of the house with the hope of hailing a taxi, but of course, Cristiano had already made arrangements even though he was distant. 

“Boss gave strict orders that I am to drive you wherever you are to go.” The driver insisted. I didn’t feel like arguing at the start of the day, so I reluctantly climbed into the car, giving the driver the address of the casting studio.

When we arrived, I asked him to stop a block away from the building. I didn’t want everyone seeing me arrive in a fancy car, especially not at a casting studio where every move was going to be scrutinized. As I stepped into the environment of the studio, I could already feel so many eyes on me. This made me so uncomfortable, and soon, my heart started racing. I gripped my handbag tighter, forcing myself to keep my head down as I walked. Even though I had stayed off the internet for so long, I knew people still remembered. The scandal might have been wiped from the online world, but memories weren’t that easy to erase.

On Sunday, yesterday, I had finally decided to check my social media account to see if my reputation was still as bad as I feared. To my shock, everything related to me and the slander had disappeared. Not a single article, not even a single mention of my name in a negative post on the internet. I knew at once that it was Cristiano’s influence, no doubt. And then, I saw a post on his newly created account. It had only been up for a short time, but it had already gained attention. Hundreds of thousands of people were liking and sharing his only post, defending me. He had written a clear threat to the world: “Mention her name in one more article, and you’ll get to know me for who I am.”

The comments underneath it were full of people praising him for standing up for me, for protecting me. The same people who had once mocked me were now singing my praises. It was unbelievable. Cristiano had done this for me. Despite his cold demeanor, he had taken my back when I didn't even ask him to.

I wanted to thank him for clearing my name, but that night he never came home. Or maybe he had, I wouldn't have known because I had simply slept while awaiting his return. 

Even though the internet had been cleaned up, the mocking whispers at the studio weren’t kind at all. As I stepped into the audition room, I could hear them. I could hear all their comments, their sneers, their mocking tones… God knows I tried to ignore them, but some words cut deeper than others.

“She’s such a whore. How could Cristiano want her after she has been with so many men?”

“Why is she even here? Shouldn’t she just get roles handed to her now that she’s married to him?”

“Does she really think he has her back? I heard from a friend that Cristiano was at a nightclub last night—without her.”

My stomach twisted when I heard the last sentence. Cristiano was at a club yesterday? Even worse, with someone else? Was that why he hadn’t been home? The sting of betrayal hurt much more than I had expected, even as it was the second time I was feeling it. I had no right to feel it, I knew. This marriage had never been about love, he emphasized so much on it in the beginning, so why did I care so much?

Soon it was time for the casting. It came and went on a whim. I read my lines… I tried to keep my voice steady, but my heart wasn’t having it. My mind was still on Cristiano and the ridiculous words they had said. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did. And it affected my performance.

Hours passed as I waited for the results, sitting in the crowded room with other contestants. I was nervous, but I tried to remain positive. I had done well in auditions before, this shouldn’t be any different. But when they started calling names, my heart leapt in my chest.“Sofía Vergara, Amelia Rodriguez, Daisy DeLarosa…” Until they got to the very last name and wished us luck for next time, I realized my name wasn’t on the list. All the roles were given to others.

Disappointment crushed me like a heavy weight, but I tried to keep my head up. I stood to leave, but before I could take a step, someone tripped me. I stumbled, landing hard on the floor, but I managed to hold myself in time to avoid hitting my head. People were supposed to help me up, but instead, laughter erupted behind me, as my cheeks burned with humiliation.

I turned to see who had done it on purpose. It was the red-haired woman who had been called for the lead role, and she was smirking down at me with her arms crossed over her chest. Her mocking gaze was almost worse than the fall itself.

“Why did you do that?” I snapped, standing up and brushing myself off, refusing to show how much the fall had shaken me.

The woman raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. “What are you going to do about it? Cry and run home to daddy? Oh! Wait—” She laughed, her eyes shining with wickedness. “Guess who doesn't have a father? It's you!”

The room burst into laughter, the sound echoing in my ears. The sting of her words hit me harder than I expected. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of these people who were waiting for me to break.

I took a deep breath, swallowing the pain. “Talking to you is pointless,” I said quietly, turning away and walking out of the room, but their laughter followed me. The sting of their words and their mocking laughter felt like sharp knives cutting into me.

As I walked out onto the street, I realized how much I wished Cristiano were here. He had always been there when I needed him, whether it was shielding me from the public or saving me in the most unexpected moments. He had been there when the scandal threatened to ruin me, when I pricked myself on the roses, when I nearly drowned… But why wasn’t he here now? Why didn’t he magically appear to pull me out of this mess like he always did?

Perhaps, it was because he was with another woman.