Chapter Seventeen

"Tesoro we need to get going, remember we're expecting our parents over today" Luca announced descending the fleet of stairs.

Aimee stood in front of the huge vanity mirror staring at the woman who looked back at her .

Emptiness

That's all she felt, her eyes equally mirrored that helpless feeling of emptiness.

The queen placed her hands carefully on her stomach like it would break any moment. Within her womb lay her two months old baby, slowly growing with every second that passed.

Fresh tears decorated her face. She couldn't do this, as much as she wanted to be a mother she didn't want this baby. Not for a vile man as Luca. This child was an innocent being who did nothing to deserve such a devil as a father. The queen feared for the fate of her unborn baby.

"Aimee!!!!" her husband yelled from downstairs

"I'll be there in a minute" she replied, her hands quickly wiped away the evidence of her pain.

Luca stood at the foot of stairs when he caught sight of his wife, a smile graced his face immediately. Finally, an heir would be born to the Savedra family.

Aimee was indeed a gift in his opinion but his son would be a pristine blessing.

The thought of his son running around this mansion and someday taking over the Savedra legacy was enough to turn that small smile into a broad one.

"Il mio" he said taking her hand in his and placing a kiss to it.

"Beautiful as ever" his hands found its way to her stomach.

The bump wasn't noticeable yet but for someone who was over conscious, Luca could feel the little baby bump that was beginning to form.

"What time will they be here?" her meek voice broke the silence in the room

"I'm not sure, but I've left instructions for Catherine"

Aimee gave a curt nod to what he said.

Luca placed his hand at her back guiding her out of the house.

Alfonso was seated at the driver's seat of the black Aston Martin as the made their way towards the vehicle. Opening the door to the backseat, Luca let Aimee get in before he did.

"Mia regina" he acknowledged Aimee before roaring the engine to life.

The drive to the hospital was a quiet one for the queen as she sat staring out the window all through with Luca's hand placed on her lap. he sat having a conversation in Italian with Raffaelle over the phone.

As the car came to a stop, Aimee put on her dark designer cat eye sunglasses before the couple alighted the vehicle.

That sunglasses was slowly becoming her signature look as she wore them often whenever she would appear in public. For her, the sunglasses was a sort of shield from the prying eyes of the press. One intent look into her eyes would give her away as unhappy in her marriage with Luca.

Luca guided her into the hospital building with Alfonso following right behind them.

"Mr and Mrs Savedra, Dr Nevio has been expecting you" the receptionist said as the couple walked to her desk.

"yes doctor, they're here" the lady with brown hair spoke into the intercom.

Luca and Aimee made their way to doctor Nevio's office as they were already familiar with it.

"Luca, Aimee" Nevio acknowledged with a genuine smile on his face

"Sorry for the delay, you know how women can be" Luca apologized

"No problem, now she's pregnant so that's a top up" the doctor joked with earned a chuckle from the couple.

In the eyes of outsiders, Aimee perfectly hid her sadness within her soul. She always wore that fake and happy face which no one could see through while within the four walls of her mansion, the facade was dropped and the sadness she felt stood prominent. An aura no one could overlook, no one except Luca.

About thirty minutes of tests and checkups being done and about an extra thirty minutes, the results came in.

"well, Aimee your body seems to be adjusting to the new changes" the doctor begun, a smile gracing his face as he addressed the couple sitting before him

"and the child?" Luca questioned

"the embryo is developing accordingly although there is a slight issue, I think it's from the mother"

"am I sick or something?? What's wrong??" anxiety flared through Aimee, her hand came up protectively over her stomach.

"it could be termed as stress, emotional stress. Keep a neutral mood, it'll be best for the pregnancy" Doctor Nevio advised

"Uhm okay" she replied

"Other than that, everything is perfectly fine. The morning sickness subsides as you're in your second trimester. To help combat morning sickness, maintain a balanced diet, staying away from greasy and spicy foods when possible, and go for smaller, more frequent meals to avoid an empty stomach." he added

" Thanks so much doctor " Aimee thanked utterly grateful for everything.

________________________________

Opening the front door and walking into our home with Luca following behind me, I was welcomed by the sight of both our parents.

My father and Mario sat on the left couch discussing what I guessed to be business issues while both moms sat probably chatting on some latest gossip.

"Good afternoon" I acknowledged walking to the living room

"sweetheart!" my mother exclaimed immediately getting up as she caught sight of me. It felt like it had been forever since I last saw her. Ten months was quite a lot of time in my opinion.

"My little girl is all grown up" she was at the brink of shedding tears.

"You didn't bring Leo along??" I needed to see how big my baby brother had gotten in my absence

"He's at your aunt's place" she replied to which I gave a curt nod

Christen held her son in a hug who in turn placed a kiss to her cheek, total admiration shone in his eyes. This made me wander of someday my child would have such admiration for me.

"Mia figlia Cara" she said gaining my attention.

"Mom" a smile plastered across my face. Christen had been my rock when I felt there was no reason to life anymore, something my mother couldn't inspire me on.

"You look so beautiful dear, congratulations" that was why they were all here, because of the little life growing in my womb. This child seemed to be more important than I had ever been in their lives.

The clearing of a certain throat made my gaze shift to the last person I wanted to speak with, - my father.

He and Mr Mario sat observing the chatter going on between us. An unreadable look stood prominent on his face, while Mario maintained his intimidating aura.

"Father, Mr Mario" I acknowledged both males.

"My dear how're you" Mario spoke.

"all good sir" father on the other hand didn't say anything to me, not a congratulations nor asking about my welfare. Of course I knew he didn't care how I was holding up in this marriage, his only concern was the contract attached to the marriage.

"Sorry to interrupt but lunch has been served" Catherine announced breaking the tension that had already begun building up in the room.

Father still sat gazing at me intently, much to my surprise I held his gaze and stared right back at him. I stared at that who destroyed my life all because of greed. All the respect and love I held for this man was gone and replaced with a great amount of hate.

My own father was selfish enough to give me away to a bunch of killers all for more wealth and status in the society.

"well uhm let's head to the dinning hall" christen said as if taking notice of what was happening.

I sat beside my husband as always at the dining table while the maids scurried around serving the meal and placing the dishes and glasswares

From the menu, it was going to be a typical Italian lunch consisting of the first course - il primo (pasta, rice), a second-course il secondo (meat or fish) served together with a side dish il contorno (vegetable or salad) and fruit.

" congratulations Son, an heir to the throne finally" Mr Mario begun as we dug into the delicious meal.

"Thank you father. what can I say, my wife is just amazing" for the first time, my husband wore a smile on his face.

"Your daughter has made this family complete Pedro, I am indeed grateful for this" he said to my father

"just seven months left, and I'll have my son" Luca beamed at me

"the baby will be so cute" Christen chimed

"not cute Mother, he'll be as fierce as his father" Luca contradicted making my mother chuckle

Listening to the heated conversation before me, I suddenly lost my appetite. My so called family sat before me planning out my life and that of my child like they always do. No one cared about my opinions in whatever decision they had.

Pushing the chair backwards, I stood up from where I sat and quietly excused myself. I couldn't stay here any longer.

"Aimee! What's wrong?! Where are you going!?" Luca said rising suddenly from his seat

"Lasciami parlare con Lei"

(let me talk to her) Christen said following after Aimee.

The queen had by now rushed into the master room where she lay on the bed with the covers over her body crying her eyes out.

"Why so sad child??" her tone held pity as she walked into the room.

"Talk to me dear" she said sitting on the bed.

Taking the covers down from her body, Aimee sat up, her face stained with tears. Her hands went to her slight baby bump.

"I - I - I don't want this child mother, I just can't keep it" finally she had found someone to confide her feelings.