Page 27 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

I stand motionless for a few seconds in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows before pulling out my phone.

My mother answers almost immediately.

“Dante? Did you forget something?”

“Why did you invite her?”

The silence on the other end is immediate. Heavy.

“Because she’s family.”

“No.” My voice cracks through the room, sharp and cold. “Not anymore. Not since she chose to disappear without saying a word.”

My mother waits two full seconds before replying.

“Did she really choose that?” she asks quietly.

I straighten.

“What does that mean? What are you implying?”

“If you want answers, Dante, you’ll have to ask her directly.”

A humorless laugh escapes me.

“I deal in facts, and the facts speak for themselves. She came back after two years in perfect health. And instead of coming to see me, she makes some dramatic public appearance in front of everyone.”

My grip tightens around the phone as I continue.

“One week before the funding round that’ll make her one of the richest women in the country.”

“Is that really what you think of her?”

Her voice is calm now. Almost saddened.

“Have you asked yourself why she acted this way? Whether she truly had another choice?”

I start pacing before answering.

“She could’ve come to me. Talked to me. Explained.”

“Why would she?”

I stop dead.

“Because I’m her husband.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Then my mother says softly,

“You’re not anymore.”

Each word lands like a verdict.

“You’re marrying Bianca.”

I close my eyes briefly. I have no answer because she’s right.

But she keeps going.