My Stepbrother, My Baby's Stepfather

Chapter 3

Bella

Lucia stood at the doorway, her hospital gown slightly wrinkled and eyes full of worry.

I rushed to her, scooping her in my arms and bringing her back to bed. She should be resting, not wandering around.

She looked so small clutching her stuffed bear to her chest, her cheeks still pale but her breathing steady again.

I sat by her side as the Diego entered tentatively. Miro didn’t, and I assumed he finally left.

I completely avoided the pang of disappointment that I felt at the thought, and focused on the important things, like my baby who was looking much better.

I had to thank Miro again, but I’d focus on that later.

“Hey, baby,” I mumbled once I settled beside her. “How do you feel?”

“Better,” she whispered, glancing from me to Diego. “Why are you fighting?”

My throat tightened. “We’re not, sweetheart. We were just… talking.”

Diego forced a smile, crouching beside her. “Daddy was just checking on you.”

Lucia studied him quietly, and for a moment, it was like she saw everything. Every lie, every broken promise.

“Mommy,” she said softly, her voice small but certain, “are you and Daddy getting a divorce?”

The question hit harder than any accusation Diego could’ve thrown my way tonight, nor any news Miro could have given me about my father. Because this was my baby’s heart on the line now, not mine.

Worried, my eyes darted to Diego, but he was already smiling that fake smile of his, calm and practiced as he crouched on the opposite side of Lucia’s bed, holding her hands in his. I wanted to slap his filthy hands away from my daughter. Who knows what he did with that other woman with it.

But what he said shook me to the core.

“Of course not, sweetheart,” he said quickly, brushing her hair from her face. “Mommy and Daddy just had a misunderstanding, that’s all.”

“Then why do you always sleep somewhere else? And why did the news lady say you were with a lady that wasn’t mommy?”

I froze. She’d noticed the sleeping. Of course she had. Children always notice before adults admit it.

Diego recovered first, his hand tightening on hers. “Daddy’s been busy with work lately,” he lied. “But I was thinking maybe I’ll take a little break soon.”

Lucia’s brow creased. “Like… a vacation?”

“Exactly,” he said, leaning closer with a grin that looked far too confident. “We’ll go somewhere fun. Maybe the amusement park this weekend to make up for tonight? Just the three of us, huh? You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Really.”

I said nothing, because if I opened my mouth, I’d ruin the illusion he was weaving for her. She’d already endured too much disappointment tonight. I couldn’t bear to crush that small burst of happiness she’d found. She already endured so much tonight.

“Daddy is sorry about missing your party. But. I’ll make it up to you, okay? And I have a present!”

Her eyes lit even brighter at this, as Diego reached for a bag I didn’t even notice him take in. It had another stuffed pony—similar to the one she got last year. But she loved it just the same, squealing as she discarded the one she had before and hugged her new pony instead.

“Happy birthday, Lucia,” he said in pride. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Oh thank you thank you, Daddy! When we go to the amusement park this weekend, it will be the best birthday ever!”

I listened to him tell her more lies as my mind drifted… drifted to my father, and the ache that still hollowed my chest.

Drifted to Miro, and how somehow… somehow, I couldn’t stop thinking about what he did tonight.

When she finally drifted off to sleep again, Diego straightened, his expression hardening the moment she closed her eyes.

“I’ll make the arrangements for her release tomorrow,” he said, voice clipped. “Try not to make a scene next time, Bella. People talk.”

“Right,” I whispered, forcing a fake smile.

Once he was out of sight, I dropped my smile and didn't even want to look at him again.

Asshole.

***

Lucia was discharged the next afternoon. She was still weak but smiling again, humming quietly to her pony as we stepped through the front door.

Ana, Diego’s mother, was waiting in the living room, arms folded tightly across her chest.

“Finally,” she said, rising from the couch. “You had the whole family worried sick.”

“She had an attack,” I said evenly, placing Lucia’s bag down. “She needed observation.”

“You could’ve called.” Ana’s tone sharpened. “I had to hear about it from one of Diego’s friends!”

I bit back the urge to roll my eyes, because why was she arguing with me and not her son? Did she hear what she said? Diego’s friend, not mine.

“I was a little busy trying to keep your granddaughter breathing,” I half snapped, but kept my composure for Lucia’s sake.

“Don’t get smart with me, Bella,” she bit out with narrowed eyes.

Lucia’s small voice broke the tension. “Grandma, look. I got a sticker from the nurse and a pony from Daddy!”

Ana’s features softened instantly. “Oh, darling, that’s lovely.” She smiled and reached out to pat her head. “Your daddy cares so much about you. He actually got you a gift.”

I heard the accusation in her tone. As if she knew what I did for Lucia’s birthday and how much I spent. Diego stopped at the thrift store to grab a stuffed, second-hand pony, and he gets the praise?

Ana never liked me, but her son married me despite her objections. I don't like her either, but we don't have a choice, right? I mean, I gave up my family for Diego, and all he had to endure was a few scoldings from Ana, not to mention that she's mostly targeting me. What does Diego lose?

But now with everything going on, and especially with the thought of my father and newly found stepbrother, I had zero time or brain cells for her bullshit.

I forced a polite nod, refusing to ruin the moment. I’d spent five years trying to earn that woman’s approval, and I’d long given up.

That night, I didn’t even try to sleep in my once again empty bed. I climbed in beside Lucia instead, curling around her as she slept, her little hand resting against my chest. The quiet rise and fall of her breathing was enough to calm everything inside me.

I didn’t need Diego beside me. I didn’t need anyone, really. Just her, and I was okay.

I was at peace.

***

Saturday came faster than I expected. Lucia was already dressed when I walked into her room that morning, and I couldn’t help but smile.

She was so excited about today that she dressed herself in her pink sweater, her blue jeans, and hair in two uneven pigtails.

I chuckled as I gently brought her between my legs to fix her pigtails.

“Daddy’s taking us to the amusement park today!” she beamed.

My stomach twisted. “Yeah, he said he would.”

She looked so sure, so radiant, that I didn’t have the heart to check my phone. Not yet.

I really wish Diego would at least for once stick to his casual words. But who am I kidding, he never does.

Just can't bear to see Lucia's disappointed face, again.

An hour passed, then two. It was like deja-vu all over again. And Lucia was starting to notice. I watched the fire leave her eyes minute by sad minute.

By noon, the excitement had dimmed from her face and the sweater was draped over a chair. I’d called Diego four times, each one going straight to voicemail.

“Maybe he’s late,” Lucia murmured, though her voice trembled. “He said he’d come.”

“I know, baby,” I said softly. “Maybe something came up at work.”

Her eyes fell. “He always says that. And it’s Saturday.”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed again, and my heart leapt.

“Is it Daddy?” Lucia squealed, already reaching for the phone before I could stop her.

But the second she pressed it to her ear, her smile faltered. “Oh… you’re not Daddy.” She glanced at me, puzzled. “He says his name is Miro.”

I froze.

Lucia tilted her head, listening, then her little face lit up again.

“Oh! You’re the nice man who helped me at the restaurant!” she said brightly. “I remember you!”

I reached out to take the phone, but she darted out of reach, clutching it with both hands.

“Wait, Mommy, I’m talking!” she protested.

I could only watch as she nodded and talked in bursts. I tried to take the phone from her again when she started telling him about our disappointing Saturday plans, but she darted out of my reach again.

Something in her tone made my chest ache, listening to the one-sided conversation that somehow already sounded too natural.

Lucia gasped suddenly, eyes wide.

“Really? You will?” she asked, her voice trembling with excitement. “Okay! I’ll tell Mommy!”

She hung up and spun toward me, practically glowing. “Mommy! He said he’s coming to take us to the amusement park!”

I blinked, stunned. “He what!?”