Page 151 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

He pauses before continuing in a softer voice.

“Yes, it’s going to be complicated. But will you be facing those challenges alone, or will Dante be by your side? Will he protect you? Will he set boundaries?”

“I know he’ll try to do the right thing... but she won’t stop at anything.”

“Do you think he’ll still fall for her manipulations?”

I think about it.

About his anger. His new clarity.

“No. Not anymore.”

“Then don’t let what she might do steal what’s right in front of you.”

I stare through the windshield at the empty street.

A life with a child who won’t be mine.

Shared weekends. Boundaries to enforce. Silent battles to fight.

Is this the life I would’ve chosen?

No.

And despite everything, the idea of losing him hurts worse.

“I’m not giving up on him,” I say at last. “Not as long as he’s willing to fight for us.”

Hugo smiles softly.

“Then don’t leave out of fear. Only leave if one day you lose yourself.”

I nod. Something inside me eases slightly. Not completely. But enough to breathe again.

I still don’t know how this ends. I don’t know if I’ll be strong enough.

But I know one thing: I don’t want our story to end with me running away.

“Take me back,” I say.

Hugo starts the engine again.

37. Setting Boundaries

Valeria

“You came back,” Dante says against my hair.

“Yes.”

I stay in the safety of his arms for a few seconds before pulling back. I need to tell him what I decided in the car with Hugo. What I understood the moment I chose to come back.

“Even if I hate the idea of you having a child with her, that baby is innocent. He shouldn’t have to pay for his mother’s crimes.”

Dante nods without a word.

“But I need to know exactly where I stand. Do you want to build a stable home for your child? Because if that’s what you want, tell me now—and I’ll step aside. No resentment.”