ELENA'S POV
Sitting across from me, Lorenzo and Giulia are laughing as if they were on a first date. They get along so well and are very easy with one another. It is intolerable to me.
However, I am the one making the joke. My thoughts are racing as I sit in the same room as them, Elena. What about my stomach? Now, things are different. I have some life inside of me. A life that neither of them is yet aware of.
Lorenzo, of course, is unaware. My mind is still burning from the news. I only learned a few hours ago. And now I'm at what should have been a family meal. However, I've never truly fit in with this family. As the wife who no longer matters, I am merely an outsider.
I watch as Lorenzo picks up his steak, handing it to Giulia like it's no big deal. She is the person who knows him the best, is his best friend, and is young. They have a great relationship. And me? Just by being here, I feel like I'm the one ruining their fun.
Red-haired Giulia leans in, her eyes glistening as she smiles. "It's going really well," she says. "I'm getting a lot of knowledge about international markets. Lorenzo even believes that I would be a fantastic asset to the business. "You mean it, Lorenzo?"
She expects him to agree as she looks up at him, and he does so without hesitation. " Of course. Giulia has a keen business sense.
I can feel it in my chest, as if he's proud of her. He never hesitates to compliment her. But me? He never talks about my accomplishments. I never feel important around him.
His blue eyes catch my attention as I look at him. It breaks my heart to see him gazing at Giulia with such warmth and tenderness. He no longer gives me that look.
I clench my hands around my fork and bite down on my lip. What brought me here at all? I ought not to have.
A waiter comes over with a bottle of wine. He says, "Wine, ma'am?"
I respond quickly. "Can I have iced tea instead?" I try to sound calm as I ask.
I touch my stomach beneath the table as he nods and leaves. The infant. My trade secret. I'm not drinking wine; will anyone notice? Most likely not. Everyone is occupied with Giulia. Lorenzo brought me here, that's all. I suppose I'm still his wife.
"Pardon me," I say as I get to my feet. "I have to go to the restroom."
Everyone looks at me for a moment. However, their faces are icy. I believe that no one is interested in me anymore.
My knee hurts as I walk to the restroom. Pain makes me wince. I didn't notice the bump in the sidewalk when I tripped earlier today, and now it hurts like hell. I believe I may have caused more harm than I initially believed.
Dr. Moretti had told me, "Congratulations, Elena." "Your pregnancy is four weeks along."
I tried to smile. I had said, "Oh, that's... wonderful," but my words sounded hollow. How could this make me happy? Lorenzo no longer loves me. And he might not even want the child I'm carrying.
"What's wrong?" When she noticed my hesitation, Dr. Moretti inquired.
I looked her in the eyes. "I'm not sure how Lorenzo will respond. He is not in love with me.
She looked at me kindly. "I think you should talk to him, but it's up to you."
I sigh now as I splash my face with cold water in the bathroom. Should I tell everyone about the baby? Perhaps it would alter their perception of me. They might have a different perspective on me. However, the idea makes me uneasy. When I first entered the room, I recall how chilly everyone was. When I hobbled in, nobody said hello or offered any assistance. They pretended that I was no longer a member of the family and that I wasn't even there. Lorenzo in particular. He simply gazed at me as though I were unfamiliar.
I gaze into the mirror. I still have my brown eyes, chestnut hair, and a few freckles. On the inside, though, I no longer feel like myself. The woman standing in front of the mirror is not someone I recognize. She refused to be treated this way by anyone. She wouldn't be seated among people who don't give a shit about her.
Giulia moves ahead of me as I make my way back to the table, and I nearly miss her. I hear the iced tea crashing onto my dress as she stumbles.
"Hey! Giulia, keep an eye on it. With a sharp voice, I say. I'm too exhausted to conceal my rage, and my dress is ruined.
I reach for my handkerchief and attempt to clean up the mess. It's useless. The stain won't go away.
In an instant, Lorenzo is standing and running to assist Giulia. His voice is gentle and worried as he asks, "Are you okay?"
Playing the victim, Giulia breaks down in tears. She trembles as she says, "I don't know why Elena would trip me."
It's unbelievable. This is crazy." What? You weren't even touched by me.
Lorenzo turns to face me, his eyes cold and his face hardening. "What is the matter with you? Express regret to her. Now."
I look at him for a moment, unable to speak. "Are you serious? I took no action! My dress was ruined by her! And you're siding with her?"
He yells, "Is your dress all you care about?" "You're so self-centered!"
My chest gets constricted. "Oh, I'm selfish? Tonight, you haven't even given me a glance. Giulia has kept you too preoccupied to even notice your wife.
Now everyone in the room is looking at us. I don't give a damn. Perhaps it's time for everyone to understand the reality of my relationship with Lorenzo.
"Enough!" Silvana, his mom yells. "Cease this absurdity. You should leave if you don't apologize to Giulia.
I wait for Lorenzo to say something—anything—that will give me a sense of importance. But he just stares at the table, like he doesn't care at all.
My eyes sting from tears. Never in my life have I felt so ashamed.
I inhale deeply. "Fine," I say, my voice quivering with rage. "I'll go, Silvana, if that's what you want."
Hearing the murmurs behind me, I turn and leave the room. As I leave the ballroom, the waiters stare at me oddly.
That's all. I'm done. I'm done if Lorenzo doesn't defend me. I will not even discuss the baby with him. I'm finished. The only alternative is divorce.