The tension became evident when Dom Carlo and Megan left. Luna began to have trouble breathing. Owen quickly helped her sit down, while Laura went to get a glass of water for Luna, who was visibly shaken by what had just happened.
“Luna, my dear, drink a little water. It will make you feel better,” Laura said, handing her the glass.
“How dare he invade our home like this? You need to leave now, Owen. Get moving; I can't put your lives at risk,” Eddie said, fearful.
“Wait! You don’t need to change your life because of me. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be going through any of this. I’m the one to blame, so I’ll leave,” Luna cried, overwhelmed by the situation.
“What are you saying? We’re in this together. I’m never going to leave you out there, pregnant and alone. Do you understand?” Owen reassured her.
“Can you give us a moment? I want to talk to Owen alone,” Luna requested.
“If you need anything, just call,” Laura said.
Eddie and Laura went upstairs to be with Rhana while Luna stayed in the kitchen with Owen. Luna’s face betrayed her dissatisfaction with all the sacrifices they had made to help her.
“Are you okay?” Owen asked.
“How can I be? Look at everything you’re going through because of me. You’re carrying a huge burden,” Luna expressed her dissatisfaction.
“Don’t be like that. We’ll get through this. Let’s leave, as they asked. We’ll never come back. We’ll start a new life,” Owen said.
“I can’t do this to you. I don’t want to cause you more problems than I already have. You deserve someone who loves you, not a fake marriage to save someone. You’re an incredible guy, and I can’t do this to you anymore.”
“What are you talking about, Luna? I won’t let you be scared of these people. We’ll go abroad together; they’ll never bother us again. You are and will never be a burden to me.”
“Owen, you’ve already done so much for me. You gave up marrying and being happy with someone who loves you, and now I’m still pregnant with a child that’s not yours, and this damned family is constantly surrounding us. Please, you need to understand,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Eddie and Laura came downstairs to check on Luna and Owen. The atmosphere was tense. Luna’s eyes were red and filled with tears from crying so much.
“We don’t want to intrude, but we wanted to see how you’re doing,” Laura started.
“Try not to get too upset; it could overwhelm the baby,” Eddie said.
“I’ve decided I’m leaving. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. You didn’t hesitate to help me. You took me into your home, even knowing it might be dangerous, but I can’t do this anymore. Today Dom Carlo came by, and tomorrow he might do something worse. I don’t want to put you at risk. I’ve decided I’m leaving tomorrow,” Luna said.
“How will you leave me alone and pregnant?” Eddie asked.
“My dear, it’s very dangerous to go through a pregnancy alone without help in a foreign country. You and Owen are married; he will go with you,” Laura said.
“But that’s exactly what I don’t want. I don’t want him to spend his whole life in a marriage; that’s not going to happen. I want him to be happy. Furthermore, I can’t place this burden on him,” Luna said.
“She doesn’t understand that it’s not a burden. I already love this child before it’s even born, before we know what it is, and I don’t care if our marriage isn’t real. I want to take care of you; let me do that, Luna,” Owen insisted.
“We’ll only be at peace if he goes with you,” Eddie said.
“All right! But if it doesn’t work out, he’ll come back,” Luna said.
“As you wish. I’ll pack our things,” Owen said.
“I’m going upstairs. I need to rest. Today has been very hectic,” Luna said.
Luna climbed the stairs slowly, each step seeming heavier than the last. When she reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed, and tears began to stream down her face. As she sobbed, memories of Vincenzo and the complications he had brought invaded her mind. With a gentle gesture, she caressed her belly, trying to find some comfort in the words she whispered to her baby. “My baby, we’re leaving, and we’ll have a new life. Everything will be all right,” she whispered, hoping that these words could bring some relief and courage to face the future.
The night stretched endlessly for Luna. Time seemed to drag as she lay in bed, her restless thoughts revolving around memories and worries. The surrounding silence was heavy, interrupted only by the occasional sound of a distant siren or the whisper of the wind. The darkness felt deep and oppressive, and Luna found herself constantly tossing and turning, unable to find comfort. Each passing hour seemed longer than the last, and sleep felt distant, like a promise that would never be fulfilled. The night, for her, was an extension of anguish and uncertainty, an endless wait for dawn.
---
Dom Carlo and Megan arrived home very late, the silence of the night enveloping the house as they entered. Dom Carlo, tired, went straight to his study, while Megan decided to slowly climb the stairs, thinking about resting.
Upon reaching the upper floor, Megan noticed that the house was unusually quiet, and a sense of anticipation began to grow within her. When she opened the bedroom door, what she found was a surprise: Vincenzo was there, in the dim light, with the lights off. The darkness only highlighted his presence, and the unexpected sight made her heart race.
Vincenzo, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked at Megan with a mixture of surprise and anger. Megan hesitated for a moment, the conflicting emotions reflected on her face. The atmosphere in the room was charged with palpable tension, and the night promised to be a mix of revelations and unsaid conversations.
“Where were you at this hour?” Vincenzo asked curiously.
“I was with some friends and didn’t realize how late it was,” Megan said.
“Some friends?” he questioned.
“Yes, why the suspicion?”
“One thing I hate is being lied to. I saw you and my father arriving together. I don’t know what you’re plotting, but I’ll find out,” he said angrily.
“Your father gave me a ride; it’s not a problem,” Megan replied.
“Good night, Megan. Don’t wait up for me. I’ll finish my night in a hotel,” Vincenzo said.
“Please don’t go. Every night is the same; you run away from me. We haven’t been married for long, and you spend more time away than with me,” Megan pleaded.
“You know we married without love; I made that clear, just as you did. By the way, we agreed. I’m not capable of loving anyone. Don’t expect me to do something I can’t,” Vincenzo said.
“Yes, you never fooled me. Okay, but I miss your body and your touch. You can’t deny me that. Whether you like it or not, you’re my husband. That’s my right, Vincenzo,” she said, trying to unbutton his shirt.
“Not tonight, Megan. Don’t irritate me,” he said, pushing her hands away.
Vincenzo left the room, leaving Megan alone. She got angry and began throwing things on the floor. Vincenzo heard her shouting as he went downstairs, and his father rushed out of his study to see what was happening.
“Vincenzo, son, why is Megan shouting?” Dom Carlo asked.
“Ask her, since you’re so close,” Vincenzo replied.
Vincenzo left, leaving his father alone.