Chapter 3

"What's going on between you and Giovani?" I asked.

Sienna's face instantly turned pale. "W-What are you talking about?" she stammered.

"Cut the act. I've seen the photos," Aimee said, her tone icy.

Sienna was silent for a few seconds, then tore off her face mask with a sharp motion, her flawless makeup now visible as she met my gaze head-on.

"Fine. Since you already figured it out, I'm done pretending," Sienna said.

"Sienna, why? You were my best friend. How could you betray me like this?" I said.

Sienna sneered. "Best friend? Aimee, can you even imagine the jealousy I feel when I look at you?"

"Jealous of me? What for?" I asked.

"You've got parents who actually care about you, a stable job, and a husband who worships the ground you walk on. I have nothing. What makes you deserve the perfect life while I'm left with scraps?" Sienna spat out.

"But that doesn't give you the right to hurt me!" I protested.

"Hurt you? Aimee, relationships are about both sides choosing. Giovani doesn't love you anymore—he wants me now," Sienna said.

My heart twisted in pain, like someone had stabbed me right in the chest.

"When did he stop loving me?" I asked.

"It started the day we first met, three months ago. You know what he said? He said you're just dull—always buried in work and chores. There's not a spark of femininity in you," Sienna said.

"But me? I know how to set the mood, how to be romantic, how to make a man's heart race," Sienna added.

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "No, Giovani isn't like that. He would never do something like this."

"People change, Aimee. Did you really think your relationship was unbreakable? Next to me, it fell apart without a fight," Sienna scoffed.

"What about my baby? What's going to happen to the child inside me?" I said.

A vicious glint flickered in Sienna's eyes. "Who knows if it's really Giovani's?"

"What did you just say?" I said, my heart racing in disbelief.

"Giovani told me you two haven't done it in forever," Sienna sneered.

I trembled with fury, my whole body shaking. "Sienna, you've crossed the line!"

"Crossed the line? Aimee, you'd better wise up and file for divorce on your own. If you don't, I've got plenty of ways to make your life miserable," Sienna sneered.

I turned to leave, but Sienna quickly blocked my path.

"Wait, I've got something to give back to you," Sienna said flatly.

She rummaged through the drawer and pulled out a necklace—the one I had given Giovani as a wedding gift.

"He said it kept getting in the way, so he told me to deal with it," Sienna said with a shrug.

I took the necklace, my hands shaking as I realized the letters on the pendant were now scratched and barely visible.

Those were the first letters of my name and Giovani's, etched onto the pendant.

"Aimee, Giovani's only got eyes for me now. Just give it up already," Sienna said coldly.

I clutched the necklace as I walked out of the beauty salon, my vision swimming with tears.

Suddenly, an electric bike barreled out of nowhere. I barely had time to react before it slammed into me, sending me crashing to the ground.

Agonizing pain erupted in her lower abdomen, and I could feel something draining away inside me.

"Help... Someone, please help me..." I cried out.

Just before I lost consciousness, I saw Sienna standing at the entrance, her face cold and utterly unconcerned.

When I finally came to, I found myself in a hospital room.

Giovani was sitting by my bedside, his eyes rimmed with red.

"Aimee, you're awake? How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft and full of concern.

I remembered everything that happened before the crash, then fixed Giovani with a cold, emotionless stare.

"Where's the baby?" I asked.

Giovani's face contorted with pain. "I'm sorry... We lost the baby."

I squeezed her eyes shut, feeling hot tears sliding down my face, quiet and unstoppable.

My baby never even got the chance to open its eyes and see this world, and just like that, it had gone.

"The doctor said the baby was lost because of the injuries. Aimee, what really happened? How did you get into that accident?" Giovani asked.

I opened my eyes and met his gaze directly. "Giovani, let's get a divorce."

He froze. "What? Aimee, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying we should get a divorce." My words were icy and resolute.

"Why? Is it because of the baby? Don't let this break you, Aimee. We're still young, there'll be other chances for us to have kids," Giovani said.

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Giovani, are you done pretending?" I said coldly, contempt dripping from my words.

His face went ghostly pale. "Aimee, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"I know the truth about you and Sienna," I said, my voice cold as ice.

Giovani's whole body jerked, shaken to the core.

"Aimee, don't jump to conclusions. There's nothing between me and Sienna," Giovani protested.

"Oh, really? Then what about the photos on your iPad? And the messages between you two—how do you explain those?" I fired back.

Giovani was completely panicked. "Aimee, please, just let me explain..."

"Explain what, Giovani? Are you going to tell me exactly how you betrayed me? Or maybe you want to describe how you ended up sleeping with Sienna—my best friend?" I snarled.

"Aimee, I..." Giovani stammered, his voice tight with panic.

"That's enough!" I yelled, pouring all my pain and fury into those words. "Giovani, it's over between us."

The hospital room fell into a heavy silence.

After what felt like an eternity, Giovani finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Aimee, please... just give me one more chance. I promise I'll change."