CHAPTER-14

LENA

Kennedy laughs at my words. "Honey, why don't we all go to my brother-in-law? He must be waiting to greet us." She said this while snaking her arms around Enzo. "Come with us, sister; you should be with him all the time. After all, we don't know when he starts looking at beautiful and younger women; you can't trust men." When? She is so sure of that.

"Yes, sister, you really cannot trust men. After all, you should be extra careful since you are pregnant now. I mean, how long are you going to wear fitted clothes now? You should contact Sarah; she will definitely know the best maternity designer," I said, deliberately looking at Enzo, who was staring at me from the start. Kennedy always liked to flaunt her porcelain figure, and since we were teenagers, she still hadn't changed. She still considered me overweight, even though I am just curvier now. Her face was strained from my words.

"Don't worry, sister, Enzo will love me more now that I am having his baby." She said this while hugging him tightly to herself. She always knows I like Enzo.

Before I could say anything, Enzo interrupted us and freed his arm from her. "Why don't we all just go to our tables after all the performances are going to start now?"

"Why don't you guys go first? I will join you after some time," I excused myself. I have to get out of here.

My chest tightens as I swiftly retreat to the bathroom, seeking peace in its temporary refuge. With each step, my mind replays the cutting remarks from Kennedy, the pang of jealousy tightening around my heart. I lean against the cool tile wall, breaths coming in shallow gasps as I struggle to contain the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

The harsh fluorescent light casts unflattering shadows, highlighting every insecurity I tried to bury beneath a facade of confidence. Kennedy's words always hurt. Her hold on Enzo feels like betrayal, and she shows off the growing baby in her belly. Doubt gnaws at me, mingling with the ache of betrayal as I realize that I may never measure up to Kennedy's perfection.

Tears threaten to spill over as I struggle to compose myself, feeling the weight of Kennedy's words and Enzo's demeanour. Why did Enzo say he was waiting for me when I asked him why he was not dating anyone? I know I need a moment alone to gather my composure before facing this evening. With a determined breath, I steady myself, resolving to confront my feelings and find a way to navigate the complex dynamics of my relationships.

Running water over my trembling hands, I try to steady myself and find the strength to confront the storm brewing within me. But even that connection feels fragile, overtaken by Kennedy's actions. I always hate her for stealing everything from me. I think people are right; I am vindictive and jealous. I am a villain, hating the heroine. When Mom died, I thought my father would look at me, but he married within two months. He said Kennedy is his stepdaughter; however, I know how much she resembles our paternal grandmother in appearance. Kennedy is only six months younger than me. He was cheating on Mom their whole marriage. Looking at the whole Mancini family makes me feel suffocating and puking. My father not only canceled the investigation of Mom's accident and declared it suicide, but his mother, 'my paternal grandmother', also threw away Mom's belongings in the week of her death.

Closing my eyes, I take a steady breath, willing myself to find clarity amidst the chaos. I know I can't stay hidden in the bathroom forever, but for now, it offers a fleeting comfort from this suffocating weight. I straighten my shoulders and brace myself to confront whatever is beyond my control at the restroom door.

As I try to compose myself, the door quietly creaks open, and Enzo enters, his brows furrowed with concern. His sudden appearance startles me, and I instinctively retreat a step. I'm filled with both dread and excitement.

"Lena, are you okay?" His voice is gentle, and his eyes are searching mine for any sign of distress.

I force a strained smile, attempting to mask the turmoil raging inside me. "I'm fine; I just needed a moment alone," I reply, my voice betraying the unease I feel.

Enzo steps closer, his presence enveloping me, and I can't help but notice the tension radiating between us. "You didn't seem fine out there," he murmurs, his gaze probing, as if trying to decipher the thoughts racing through my mind.

"It's nothing, really," I insist, my voice faltering slightly as his proximity unnerves me.

But Enzo's expression softens, his eyes reflecting a vulnerability that catches me off guard. "Lena, I can't ignore this any longer," he confesses, his voice barely above a whisper. "The way I feel about you... it's consuming me."

My heart clenches at his words, the admission stirring a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within me. "Enzo, you can't say things like that; I am married now and you are engaged," I protest, however, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

But he reaches out, gently cupping my face in his hands, his touch igniting a firestorm of longing deep within me. "I can't help it, Lena," he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin. "I've tried to deny this arrangement, but my dad didn't listen. He threatened to give my position as CEO to my younger brother. Before I could do anything, Kennedy told everyone that I got her pregnant."

Desperation tinges his words, and I feel my resolve waver as the intensity of his gaze threatens to unravel me.

"Enzo, please," I plead, my voice barely a whisper. "Even if you don't want this marriage, you still impregnated her."

His expression darkens with resignation, and I can see the pain etched in the lines of his face. "I know," he murmurs, his voice heavy with regret. "But I can't keep living this lie, Lena. I need to know where we stand."

The weight of his words hangs between us, the silence deafening in its intensity. And as I meet his gaze, I know what I have to do.

"Enzo, there's nothing between us." The words tasted bitter on my tongue. "You need to go back to Kennedy. Now I am living my life with Alarik," I lie.

His eyes flicker with hurt, but he nods silently, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "But you don't love him, Lena. He is not a good man for you. You don't have any idea what kind of things he has done to take over the company. I tried to tell you to deny his proposal, but you never listened." His voice was barely audible over the rush of blood in my ears.

"Who are you to say what I want? When you are the one sleeping with my stepsister," I can't believe his audacity.

"You think I willingly slept with her? I don't even know what happened that night. I doubt that her child is even mine."

I gasp at his words. "And if it is your baby? Or not? We can never happen, Enzo," tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

His eyes flickered with hurt. "But our bond runs deeper than your marriage of two months. Look at you, Lena; it looks like you have lost weight. Your face looks tired, and you have eye bags too. I am worried for you. You may be living with him, but he doesn't love you. Lena," he whispers. I turn away from him. That's why I liked him. He can tell how tired and affected I am. "We can still happen, Lena. If we want, we can. Don't worry about our spouses; they are already busy; they just want us for their benefits. I am waiting for you always." I frown at his suggestion.

I can't believe I liked him at one point. I was ready if he asked me to leave everything behind for our relationship, but he still chose money over me. Why can't I do the same? We had this conversation before. He came to me when I was going to sign the marriage certificate and tried to kiss me. Enzo doesn't want to go against his father, but he wants me as well.

As he turns to leave, I'm left alone in the suffocating silence of the bathroom, battling the heavy burden of his hypocrisy. Tears are threatening to fall down my cheeks, and I'm not sure if I made the correct decision to marry Alarik or if all I've accomplished is nothing at all. It hurts that all the men in my life think I am not worthy to be their wife. I am not worth fighting over. I am not worthy of recognition.