The feast was all set up, and the family sat across from one another, talking and chatting. Laughter across the rooms and wine clicking on glass.
Throughout the day, Veronica was sitting silently. Holding on to her glass of wine and letting out the most perfect smile.
"Veronica" A voice awoke her conscience as she turned to face one of the family members of the Madrid.
"When are you two planning on having children?" one of the guests—Jayce's cousin, Joyce—murmured, casually nibbling on her salad, though her eyes sparkled with unhidden curiosity.
Veronica gripped her wine glass tightly, the rim pressing into her fingers. She could feel the weight of everyone's gaze, like a spotlight demanding an answer she didn't have.
She turned toward Joyce, but Jayce acted as if he hadn't heard a thing. Instead, he leaned back, fixing his eyes on Veronica, silent yet all-consuming, as if daring her to respond while the room held its breath.
"Thats something- well.. It's um" Veronica dropped her glass on the table. The stares are getting even more intense as her heels tap on the ground repeatedly. The place was getting tense, and honestly, she could have given them a valid answer. If only...
She wasn't Infertile.
Veronica forced a smile and stood up from the chair. the aroma of defeat.
"Excuse me-" she manages to speak before getting up from her chair and turning to leave. She rushes out of there as fast as she could, yet Veronica could feel the gossip swirling around her. That question stung her deeper than a wasp attack.
She had expected Jayce to step in, run after her or at least smooth things over—even though he had no idea about her infertility—but no. That bastard simply held his ground, silent and infuriating, letting the whispers and stares pile up like a storm she had to weather alone.
What an asshole
Veronica ran out of the dining room, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floors as she traced the long, winding halls. She needed a break. The lounge stretched endlessly, a space where one could nearly get lost. She took in a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and clutched at her chest as her heart raced faster than ever.
If the Madrid family ever found out about this, she would be nothing but a "pick me," a disgrace in their eyes. Not that she cared—yet she couldn't risk revealing something so personal, especially to a family that would stop at nothing to secure a new generational heir.
Veronica sat down on the empty chair tucked in at the corner of the lounge. Her feet were already sore from running around.
Just as she sank to slip off her heels, the sound of approaching footsteps made her stiffen.
"Do you need any assistance?" a rough, unfamiliar voice called out, immediately capturing her attention. She looked up and met the gaze of a stranger, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips, his stare sharp and unyielding.
"And who is asking?"