Seeing me lying peacefully in bed, she quietly picked up her phone and closed her bedroom door.
I quickly put on my headphones and opened the listening software I’d planted on her phone.
A faint, childish voice came through, “Marcello misses Grandma. When will Grandma come home?”
Seeing that face, eighty percent identical to Lorenzo’s, a sharp pain pierced my heart.
So it was all true. Lorenzo, my husband who vowed to be mine alone for a lifetime, not only had he started a family with someone else long ago, but he was even plotting against this innocent life growing inside me.
“Marcello, be a good kid. I will be home in two months. Then Marcello will be healthy like all the other kids.”
“Mom, Patricia hasn’t suspected anything, right? Marcello’s condition keeps fluctuating and I can’t leave him now. You have to keep her safe. The baby in her womb is Marcello’s future. There’s no room for carelessness.”
Seeing Lorenzo’s face, tears welled up in my eyes and spilled over uncontrollably. The man who once showered me with sweet words and vowed eternal love was now so cruel.
When he mentioned me and our child, not a trace of tenderness flickered in his eyes. As if we were merely vessels to house that heart.
“Don’t worry, son. I’m keeping a close eye on her. There won’t be any problems. As for you, take some time to call and comfort her.”
Lorenzo, who was gently soothing the child, said impatiently, “Shut up! If Marcello’s mom hears you, she’ll just get angry again.”
Natalie was stunned for a moment. Her eyes darted nervously.
“Finding a suitable heart isn’t easy. I’m just nagging for Marcello’s sake.”
Before Lorenzo could respond, the door swung open. A soft female voice drifted in, “Honey, are you done with your call? It’s time for Marcello’s medicine.”
His face was filled with embarrassment. He hurriedly stood up, holding the child and reached out to hang up.
The long-haired woman who pushed the door open stopped him. “Don’t hang up yet. I need to remind Mom of a few things.”
I broke out in a cold sweat when the phone camera focused on the long-haired woman. Every hair on my body stood on end, as if thousands of ants were gnawing at me.
“Mom, she’s almost eight months pregnant. Make sure you remember all the precautions I told you.”
She went on and on, emphasizing points to my mother-in-law. But I couldn’t take in a single word, still reeling from the immense shock.