Now, I am divorced.

Now I am divorced.

Ana's POV

I can hardly contain the knot that grows in my throat; my hands are shaking, and I can only feel my heart crumbling.

I have the results of the laboratory tests from the hospital in my hands. I thought about discussing it with my husband, but instead, I decided to fold it and keep it in my bag while my eyes witnessed how he caressed and kissed his ex's belly.

The half-open door allows me to witness everything without being discovered. I had just received news that practically condemned my life, and now I was receiving this in my own home.

"I love you... And you're messing around with her..." I said to myself, shaking my head and wiping my cheeks indignantly.

"I'm scared, Belial," she said, touching her chest. "You're married, but I'll be the one who has your child. Please don't leave me."

He hugged her and delicately kissed her forehead. It was clear who was a priority in his life.

"I swear that I will protect this baby and you. I have the divorce papers ready; if necessary, I'll make her sign them and marry you."

"You would do that for me?"

"Whatever it takes to see you happy, Ratja."

I covered my lips to hold back a sob as I closed my eyes tightly, and the tears betrayed me again, but this had been too much. I'm not going to stay here crying like a Magdalene.

Determined, I push the door and watch as they abruptly separate.

"Ana, my dear," she says, trying to approach.

"Just shut up; I don't want to hear you!" I said, raising my finger.

"Watch your words, Ana," Belial tells me, standing before Ratja. "You will not raise your voice at her."

"So it's true... You! Bastard!" I exclaimed with pain, slapping him in the face; the slap resonated throughout our house, but even that didn't intimidate him, and he remained serious.

"She's pregnant; she's going to give me something that you haven't been able to in three years of marriage; I think we both know who is surplus here."

"I didn't want this to happen, Ana. I even care about you," the other said shamelessly.

The desire to throw my bag in her face made me clench my fists angrily.

There was no doubt that they were made for each other—hypocrites, two-faced, and traitors.

"I want you out of my life, Ana. The divorce papers are on that table," he pointed out. Sign them and do me the favor of leaving."

"Belial, I think I'll leave you two alone. Your grandmother asked me to visit her; she wants to buy things for the baby."

"Grandmother?" I said incredulously. "So, the others knew... I bit my lips to hold back a sob.

"Yes, it's better if you go. I'll ask the employee to arrange your room."

I didn't know what was worse anymore, the diagnosis on the paper I kept in my bag or this.

Ratja left, and I felt dizzy like I couldn't breathe.

"How long?" I said, breathing through my mouth. "How long have you been fooling me, Belial!?"

He put his hands in his pockets very calmly and turned his back on me.

"What do you want to hear? My answer won't change anything."

"You said you loved me!" I exclaimed with complete indignation. "We even went on vacation to the cabin your grandfather gave us! Was all that a lie!?"

Suddenly, he fell silent, exhaled, and leaned his hand on the window frame. He remembered it, too.

Those days had been the most beautiful. Just a month ago, he said he loved me as he made love to me every night amidst nature. He had become incredibly more romantic and attentive. He looked into my eyes and smiled with eyes as blue as the sky. It was like a dream, and apparently, it was just that—a fleeting dream.

"I trusted you..."

Then, he looked back at me and let out a mocking laugh.

"Did you believe every one of those words?" he said without a hint of remorse, taking steps towards me. At the same time, my body disobeyed me and remained paralyzed. "Did you think I could love a freak like you? Look at yourself; you have one green eye and one blue eye; you're not normal." Each word hurt me as if I were being slowly killed. "Did I give you so much pleasure that you beg for my love? I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU, Ana!"

And with those words, he completely shattered my heart. Deep down, perhaps I needed it to open my eyes and understand that I should never have loved him more than myself.

How mistaken I have been these past three years. I had filled myself with hope when I married him. I had silently loved him since I was thirteen, so being his wife was like a dream come true, but how foolish I was.

Finally, making my body react, I told myself I wouldn't lose my composure in front of someone like him—a despicable human being who only mocked me.

"Very well," I said, raising my hand before his eyes to remove the ring from our marriage. "Here's the symbol of your lie," I asserted, throwing the ring at his chest. "I should never have let myself down, but that's over. This is where the love I had for you ends. Without giving him a chance to respond, I moved away. I walked straight to the table in the living room, took the divorce papers, took a pen out of my purse, and, without hesitation, signed them.

"Here you go. Nothing keeps us together anymore. From today on, you're a stranger to me, and if you see me, pretend you don't know me because that's what I'll do."

Belial didn't say anything; his gaze was perplexed. He probably thought I would make a scene and refuse to sign the papers, but no. I realized that it was pointless to stay where I wasn't loved.

I stood straight, wiped the last tear on my cheek, and walked towards the exit.

"If you want, you can burn my things. I won't come back for something that holds your memory. I will erase you from my mind and pretend you never existed."

I left the Bercelli house and wandered until I reached a bus stop, where I took a taxi. I had nowhere to go, so I would stay in a hotel while I figured out what to do with my life.

No home, no life, nothing apparent to pull me out of this deep depression. I didn't let Belial see me break down in tears, but as soon as I locked myself in that cold room of a cheap hotel, I slid with my back against the door, remembering the moment when my doctor gave me the news.

*Flashback*

"I'm sorry, Ana, but continuing with an illness is dangerous."

I had just found out that after so many attempts, I was finally pregnant. After thinking that maybe I couldn't have children, I found out that there was life in my womb. Joy flooded my heart; my longing to be a mother was becoming a reality, but the happiness didn't last long because it wasn't the only diagnosis I received.

"What are you trying to tell me?" I asked, with my knees trembling in that doctor's office.

"Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects tissues that make up the blood. The treatment is complicated, Ana. It's not recommended for you to have the baby," he said with a pity-filled look. "I know you wanted to be a mother, but you must treat yourself first. You still have time, and in your case, there are great chances of overcoming it."

"Do you want me to get rid of my baby?" My voice broke. "Do you know what you're asking of me? I've been wishing for this for three years!"

"Ana, there is no other way. I've been in this profession for eighteen years; it's difficult for you to come out well with both an illness and a pregnancy."

"Difficult, but not impossible!" I responded firmly, digging my nails into my knees. "Belial will support me. When he finds out about the baby, he will be the one to give me strength to overcome this illness."

"Ana..."

"No! I won't lose my baby. I will fight to carry my pregnancy and overcome this disease," I stood up from the seat and, with watery eyes, looked at the doctor. "I swear I will get through this!"

*End of flashback*

Embracing my knees, I finally broke down in tears. I was shattered and more than broken. In that dark and cold room, I released my torn soul.

"Ah! AHH! God!" I screamed, hitting the floor with my fists. I didn't utter a single word; I just let my pain express itself. I needed to release what I had inside.

I screamed so much until my throat became dry, and the pain turned into burning.

What had these three years meant? What had become of my feelings? Who am I? And where am I going?

I don't know how many minutes I stayed in that state. I think it was hours. I was wondering: What happened? Why did it happen? Until a stabbing pain in my muscles made me realize that I was alive. I brought my hands to my belly and sobbed; my body trembled, and I couldn't help but think about what would happen to my baby. I am alone and without anyone to lend me a hand. If I died, what would become of my child?

Then, I looked at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall, observed my state, and realized that that couldn't be me. That woman couldn't be the mother of my child.

Yes, it hurt, but I decided I would overcome it. My baby deserves a strong mother, not a broken one. This wasn't the end, just a new beginning.