An Ally.

"He doesn't owe you loyalty simply because you're the one who got between him and me."

She screamed at me, and I stepped back, but she grabbed me by the arm.

"Stop being such a coward and face me. Don't run away like you always do."

"Enough, Olivia."

I told her when I felt like this was the last thing I could take.

"Enough of what? The truths you refuse to hear?"

She screamed at me, and I looked up toward the top of the stairs where my son was standing, watching everything.

And then my face burned from the slap Olivia gave me, and after that I just hit the floor from the shove I received.

"Let your bastard see how his mother is right where she belongs—at my feet."

She whispered to me, and I looked up, watching her run her hands over her belly.

"I'm pregnant. I'm going to give Rodrigo a child, and I don't think there's much to say about what'll happen to your bastard and to you, is there? He'll be a servant to mine."

I got up and headed up the stairs while she kept screaming things at me. I reached my son, who was crying, and picked him up.

"He already ate, and I tried to keep him from leaving the room."

The housekeeper told me, and I thanked her as I went into my room, where I locked myself in alone with my son in my arms.

I wouldn't make the same mistake as yesterday. I wasn't going to be separated from my Mati, who fell asleep in my arms. I laid him beside me, unable to hold back the tears.

I couldn't help feeling angry at myself for crying over Rodrigo, who'd shown me so many times that he didn't love me. I'd believed that maybe we'd get along, or I didn't know what my brain had dreamed up—some story where at least he'd treat me differently after we got married. I was the mother of his child, and not even that made him change. Like he'd said, he didn't even feel sorry for me.

I wasn't asking for much. I'd tried to be the perfect wife, obedient. I knew I couldn't have his love, and still I'd been willing to settle for even a minute of affection.

Five years total, from the time I got pregnant until now, and we couldn't even hold a conversation.

I remembered how ever since we got married, he'd preferred to go on trips or sleep at his office just to avoid coming home. But now I knew why he was always traveling—he'd been happy with Olivia, and that was fine, but why treat me so badly?

Heavy footsteps echoed on the stairs.

I wiped my tears, and sure enough, the door swung open and he walked in looking upset, but when he saw Mati, he motioned for me to come out.

I covered my son and stepped out. He closed the door and grabbed my arm, leading me to his study. It was the first time I'd ever been inside it—five years living in this house, and I'd never set foot in there.

"What did you talk to Olivia about?"

He asked me, his expression growing even more serious. He slammed his fist on his desk, and I flinched.

"She told me you were with her..."

"That's a lie. You jumped to your own conclusions. And even if it were true, you've got no right to demand anything, since I've never acknowledged you as my wife. The only time we were together, you drugged me to make it happen and trap me."

"How many times do I have to tell you I didn't do anything? I showed up looking for Olivia and..."

"Enough. I'm not interested in your lies. But keep in mind—if you dare say anything to my grandfather, forget about Matias. Now get out of here."

He told me, and I left. I went back to my room, but I could feel him right behind me.

"Take my son to his room."

He said to a woman I hadn't seen before. She picked him up, and I tried to follow her, but Rodrigo stopped me.

"She'll be Matias's nanny. And I'm warning you—don't do anything stupid."

I watched him go into his room, and I stayed there waiting until the nanny came out of Mati's room.

She gave me a small smile, and I went into my room.

I got in the shower, and when I got out, I wrapped myself in my robe and noticed the plate of food I hadn't touched.

I heard him leave his room, and I cracked the door open, watching him go. He'd showered and left all dressed up. This was going to happen again—Olivia was back now.

I made sure he was gone, and when I heard the front door close, I walked to Mati's room.

"Good evening, ma'am."

The young woman said from behind me as I placed my hand on the handle, ready to open it. I turned around and smiled at her.

"Hi, I just want to give him his goodnight kiss."

I was surprised to see a cheerful young woman—she wasn't the kind of person Rodrigo usually hired, the serious type.

"You don't know me, but I'm here for you."

She told me, and I stared at her, waiting for her to say it was a joke, that Olivia had sent her to make my life impossible. But no—all I saw in her was something I hadn't seen in anyone for a long time: kindness.

She extended her hand toward me.

"Your father sent me."

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