The sun had long risen, but Mia remained curled in bed, her body still and cold beneath the sheets. The silence in the room felt heavier than usual, pressing down on her chest like invisible hands. Her eyes ached, raw from crying through the night until sleep had dragged her under.
She hadn't changed out of her clothes until dawn. The once-beautiful dress she'd worn to the gala was now draped lifelessly across the chair in the corner, a dark silhouette against pale walls. It mocked her now just like the fantasy she had clung to.
He's going to leave me.
There's nothing I can do.
The words she'd overheard Damian say still echoed in her mind, cutting deeper each time she remembered.
A soft knock broke the silence.
"Mia?" Rosa's voice called through the door. "Señora Elena is here."
Panic fluttered in Mia's chest.
She sat up slowly, blinking herself into motion. "Tell her I'll be down in a minute."
With trembling fingers, she brushed her curls into something neat, changed into a baby blue sundress, and applied the thinnest layer of concealer under her eyes. She looked in the mirror and forced a smile. You're fine. Just for a little while.
When she walked downstairs, Elena was already seated at the kitchen island, her sunglasses perched in her hair, a familiar scowl darkening her expression.
"There you are," Elena said, turning at the sound of Mia's soft footsteps. "I was this close to storming up there myself."
Mia tried to smile. "I'm sorry I didn't come down sooner."
Elena rose and walked over, cupping her face gently. "Don't be silly. I came because I was worried. You left last night in a hurry saying you weren't feeling well. I spent all night worrying about you."
Mia looked down. "I was feeling just... a little dizzy." Guess the stress of the work day got to me
Elena said sharply. "Damian should have left with you, or at the very least come after you to check. But no, my son decides to show up at the after-dinner drinks like nothing happened."
Mia's stomach twisted. "It really wasn't a big deal, I feel much better now." She said giving a fake smile
" Stop giving excuses for him, He didn't even introduce you, Mia," Elena continued, her voice growing angrier. "You were right there, and he stood with his colleagues like you were a stranger. I was this close to grabbing the mic and doing it myself."
Mia shook her head quickly. "Please don't be upset with him. He's been stressed with work, and the fundraiser was a lot-"
"Stop making excuses for him," Elena snapped, then softened. "I know you're trying to protect him, but who's protecting you?"
Mia's throat tightened, but she said nothing.
"He's my son," Elena said, walking back to her seat. "But he forgets how to be human sometimes. That's why I check in because he won't."
Mia took a seat beside her quietly, clasping her hands in her lap. The scent of coffee filled the room, warm and grounding, but even that couldn't cut through the haze wrapped around her.
Elena studied her carefully, her sharp gaze dimming with worry.
"I know this marriage didn't start the way most do," she said softly. "But it's been a year. You've done everything to be a good wife. The least he could do is meet you halfway."
Mia bit the inside of her cheek to keep from breaking down. If only you knew he was planning to leave me.
"And on that note," Elena said, suddenly brightening with that same determined tone she always used to bulldoze through uncomfortable conversations, "any updates on the grandbaby front?"
Mia stiffened.
Elena gave her a playful look. "I've waited long enough. I can't wait forever. Should I start picking names? Or buying onesies?"
Mia gave a small, nervous laugh. "I-I don't think we're quite there yet."
Elena blinked, confused. "You've been married for a year."
"Yes, but... we're just... waiting for the right time," Mia murmured.
Elena raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. You're not using that as an excuse, are you?"
"No, of course not," Mia rushed to say, feeling her chest squeeze tighter. "I just... I want everything to feel right."
"Well," Elena sighed, standing up and brushing off her pants. "Don't wait forever. Time slips away faster than you think. And whether or not Damian realizes it yet, he's lucky to have you. I just hope he figures it out before it's too late."
She walked over and kissed Mia's cheek.
"I'll call you later this week. We're still doing brunch Sunday. And maybe... a quick stop at a baby boutique just for fun," she added with a wink.
Mia nodded, barely holding herself together.
As soon as the door closed behind Elena, the silence returned, deafening.
She sat at the table for a long while, her eyes staring blankly at the untouched cup of tea Rosa had set out earlier. Her fingers trembled as they curled around the mug.
When are you going to give me grandbabies?
You've been married for a year.
Mia looked down at her flat stomach, tears brimming in her eyes.
She wanted that so badly.
Not just the baby but the love. A family. A home where she was chosen. She wanted a child born of love, not desperation. She wanted Damian to look at her and see her. To want her the way she had always wanted him.
But she knew better now.
Her husband was planning to leave her. He didn't see as anything but a means to achieve his goals. She was just part of a business deal to him.
Mia buried her face in her hands and cried until the light outside began to fade.