Sofia's point of view.
Wearing a fake sad smile, I shook my head as I turned to face him. "No. I guess my stomach is just having a hard time digesting the new diet," I played it off coolly, silently praying he believes me.
"Oh." He sounded and looked disappointed at my response, but quickly wore a smile as he took my hand and led me back to our bed. "There's been a change of plans, my love. You know, since my dad's the celebrant of tomorrow's occasion, we're expected to be there today. It wouldn't look good if we went there tomorrow, so you're going to pack up a few things, and we'll hit the road."
Obviously, he's just using his father as an excuse. He's definitely going there early because his mistress wants him to be there.
"Come on, pack up. We're leaving in fifteen minutes." He said, planted a kiss on my forehead, and exited the room almost immediately – I saw an irritated look on his face before he left. I should be the one getting irritated – I screamed mentally.
Anyways, I dragged my tired feet towards the closet and began taking out a few clothes. My plan for tomorrow is to leave the celebration midway and go for my scheduled doctor's appointment. So, I packed up everything I needed.
*****
It was a forty-minute drive from our house to my in-laws' – well, soon-to-be ex-in-laws – home. The atmosphere was a bit rowdy, as everyone was busy with one thing or another, and I could already feel a burden on my shoulder because I knew my mother-in-law would start screaming my name to come help out with the chores – after all, she only knows me as her son's personal maid.
"Mom!" Vincenzo's voice boomed excitedly as soon as he set eyes on his mother, who was talking with some women.
"Oh, my baby boy is here," she exclaimed, equally as happy as her son. Vincenzo pulled – maybe I should say dragged – me along, as he rushed to give his mother a hug.
"My baby, I've missed you so much."
"Me too," he replied. They soon pulled away from the hug.
"Come on, Viola is here too." She said, leading us towards a big hall. "You know, Viola's such a good girl. She has been here since yesterday."
"Oh, really?" His mother gave him a playful, scolding look. "Oh, really? As if you don't know she's here." She chuckled.
We only took a few steps away from the entrance when we saw Viola laughing heartily with Vincenzo's father. I took a glance at Vincenzo and saw him smiling so passionately at their direction; it was obvious that he loves and approves of the scene before him.
"Honey, look who's here." His mother called out to his father, who instantly looked towards us.
"Son." He signaled Vincenzo to come over for a hug. "You're early. Is it because Viola's here?" He teased Vincenzo.
"Dad, no!" Vincenzo suddenly became shy – I guess that's the effect Viola has on him.
His mother faced me. "Hey, you. Come with me, I'll take you to the kitchen so you can help out."
"Don't worry, aunt, I'll take her." Viola volunteered.
"Aww, such a sweet girl." Viola smiled shyly and ordered me to follow her. I looked at Vincenzo; he simply nodded in approval. I took a deep breath and followed her without saying a word.
****
"So, you're the other woman?" Viola suddenly asked.
"I'm his mate." I answered.
She scoffed. "You're deceiving yourself," she paused briefly. "You think I'm truly sick and needed your kid's blood to survive?" She let out a mocking laugh. "I'm very much healthy. In fact, way healthier than you, but I hate you, I hate the fact that you're fertile, that your womb is perfectly fine to carry his children, and I can't because my womb is too weak."
Hearing her cruel words, hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I couldn't believe she's legitimately blaming her barrenness on me. I mean, I don't even know she existed until recently, so why would she blame me for not being able to carry a pregnancy?
"I hate your entire existence in his life, and you must pay a price for your selfishness. I'll continue being sick; I'll make sure he kills each and every child you conceive. I'll make sure you don't have any child for him."
Her words were bullets shooting right through my heart. Why is her hatred for me so great? It wasn't my fault that Vincenzo and I are mates – I'm not the moon goddess, for crying out loud.
"And you know what," she paused, scrolled through her phone for a brief moment, and then showed it to me. "We're already making arrangements for our wedding, and it's happening in three days!" She snatched the phone away from my face. "Our wedding is going to make the headlines; everyone's going to be there. Make sure to be our guest, darling."
Not wanting to hear anymore of her taunting words, I gently pushed her aside and was about to leave. But she suddenly grabbed my right hand, slapped herself loudly, and fell down, then burst out crying.
I speechlessly stared at her superior acting skill.
"Viola!" Vincenzo's mother exclaimed, rushing over with Vincenzo hot on her heels. "Vincenzo," Viola cried intensely as he caressed her cheek; genuine worry washed over his face immediately. "It hurts."
Vincenzo quickly snapped his head towards me with an annoyed look on. "Why did you hit her?" he queried me.
"No. I didn't hit..." My words were left unfinished as Vincenzo's mother landed a resounding slap on my face.
