Page 155 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

Andrea answers on the second ring.

“I’m leaving for a week with Valeria. Maybe longer. I need you to keep an eye on Bianca and Aurenza while I’m gone.”

Silence.

“Alright. I’ll handle everything. Where are you going?”

“The Seychelles.”

He lets out a low whistle.

“You’re right. The next few months are going to be hell.”

“Exactly.”

Between Wald, Bianca, and the baby, the months ahead threaten to crush us. Before the storm hits, I want to give us what we need most: time.

When I tell Valeria about the trip, she protests exactly as expected—work, responsibilities, bad timing.

I let her finish.

Then I make my point.

“There’s never going to be a perfect moment. If we don’t make our relationship a priority, nobody else will do it for us.”

She doesn’t answer right away. But I see it in her eyes—she understands.

The late afternoon sunlight turns the runway gold as our plane lands in Praslin. Deep green hills, white sand, water so clear it looks unreal. Our villa overlooks the ocean, hidden among lush vegetation and connected to a private beach by a pale stone path.

The moment she steps out of the car, Valeria stops.

Her expression softens.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

After dropping off our luggage, we walk down to the beach and stroll along the shoreline. The temperature is perfect, but although Valeria lets the water brush her feet, she never goes farther than that.

That evening, we have dinner on the beach beneath colorful lanterns. Shredded shark mixed with lemon, onions, and spices. Octopus curry. Grilled fish. Fresh fruit for dessert. Valeria picks up a slice of mango, savoring it slowly before asking hesitantly:

“Are you happy about becoming a father?”

The question catches me off guard, but I know how much courage it took for her to ask it.

I could downplay it to ease her pain, but she deserves better than that.

My wife is a fighter. The bravest and most extraordinary woman I know. The fact that she is here beside me, after everything she has been through, says everything about her strength.

So I take my time choosing my words, determined to give her the truth she deserves.

“I’m still in shock. None of this feels real yet. Part of me is terrified. I keep thinking about how complicated this is going to make things for us, and whether I’ll even be good enough.”

I pause.

“But… part of me is happy. Maybe even a little excited.”

I brush my thumb against her cheek.

“I just wish it were with you.”