58- The Shot That Changed Everything

POV- Viktor Sorrentino.

With the discomfort Eleonora felt during the weekend, I asked her to stay at home for a few days until the scare could pass a little longer. 

Right now, I'm in the last meeting of the day, eager to see the woman I love. Until I receive a video. The user's profile did not have a photo, which makes me suspicious. "It could be a virus." I notice and decide to ignore it, putting the phone back in my pocket. 

At the end of the meeting, I go to my office and get some papers. "Since my secretary isn't here, I have to do this!" 

Once I'm done, I leave the company and go to my car. Soon I move away and I'm already close to my house, so I can finally give my wife a hug. But a "beep" in my pocket catches my attention. I decide to see what it's about and pull over the car. I pick up the phone and turn on the screen. It was the same user as earlier. This time it was a message, which says: 

\[Hmm... Is Eleonora's baby really yours?\]. 

I feel my pulse racing and decide to see what the content of the video is about. I see a man, who looks like... "Marco Rossi?" I frown and continue to watch. 

He seems to be focused on what he is doing and seems to be in his office. It is when a woman sits in front of him, in a provocative attitude. They talk for a few minutes, until the woman gets up and walks to Marco, who turns towards her and touches his clothes, remaining seated. 

The stranger begins to undress and, after being completely devoid of clothes, turns towards the camera, sitting on Marco's lap. I almost choke on my heart and feel it stop in my mouth. "Eleonora..." Tears run down my face, and I throw the phone away. I put it in reverse and decide to go somewhere else, because I didn't have the strength to face it at the moment. 

HOURS LATER...

...

POV- Eleonora Vitale.

I wake up to a storm, as well as to murmurs and noises coming from the closet. I look towards the clock and see that it is more than midnight. Strange that it is such a time and Viktor was not by my side. Then I get up and go to where I hear the sounds that have awakened me. Upon arriving, I come across Viktor throwing my belongings in some suitcases. Frightened by the situation, I ask: 

"Baby, what's going on?" When he puts his green eyes on me, I notice that they are red and gloomy, even more than they used to be when we start to get closer lovingly, in addition to seeming to be drunk. Then he abruptly approaches me and takes me by the wrist, holding on tightly. 

"I want you to get out of my sight." He brings his face closer to mine and hisses: "Yes, Go. Stop O. Hell." I widen my eyes, and tears well up in my eyes, even without understanding his words and actions. He walks away and continues what he is doing, while saying: "Did you really think you would never know what you did? That this baby she carries in her womb is a bastard? Ah, Eleonora..." He finishes speaking using an ironic tone. 

Viktor gathers my bags with just one hand and walks towards me. With the hand that was free, he grabs me by the arm and forcibly leads me out of the mansion. 

"Eleonora..." I hear Mrs. Suzana calling for me. My view goes to it and I see her with a worried face. Right behind her is Viktor's mother, who watches the scene with a bitter smile on her face. I see a taxi parked ahead. Viktor opens the door and puts me inside it, saying to the taxi driver: 

"Take her wherever she wants." So he hands him some money and walks away. The lord starts, and we move away from the mansion. 

Still in shock and with my face bathed in tears, I try to assimilate things. But nothing makes sense. Several questions form in my head, and two of them are: "What do I do in a taxi late at night? And where am I going, since I don't have my apartment anymore?" 

"Where are you going?" The taxi driver asks, looking at me in the rearview mirror. I think a lot and, with no alternative, I give him an address. 

We followed the path, and a few minutes later, we were already at the site. 

"How much did you get paid for the ride?" I ask as I lean out of the car. He informs me of the amount, and I agree, removing me from the taxi. 

The gentleman helps me with the bags and takes them to the door (who I don't think will turn their backs on me) and then leaves. Alone, I decide to knock on the door, and for a few minutes nothing happens. But then I hear it being unlocked and opened shortly thereafter. 

"Alfred..." 

...

POV- Alfred Castelli.

The scene I see makes me have a bad feeling and an affliction. Eleonora is in front of me, soaked by the heavy rain, and her eyes were red from crying. 

I emerge from my torpor and quickly head towards her, wrapping her in my arms, assuming my position as a father. The waiters gather their bags, and so we head inside. I take her close to the fireplace, to soften the cold that she may probably be feeling. 

"My daughter, what happened to you? What did they do to him?" I question in agony. 

"Viktor..." She says tearfully and with trembling lips. "He threw me out of the house..." My eyes widen, and a mixture of anger and hatred grows in my being. One of the maids brings a towel and helps her dry off. So I say: 

"Estelle, take Eleonora to the suite next to mine and also your belongings." It nods and does what I say. When Eleonora leaves my field of vision, I take the phone from my pocket and call Viktor. A few seconds pass, until finally the call is answered. "Listen here, Viktor Sorrentino, you will no longer treat my daughter like an animal, because before she was alone. But now, as you have me, no one else will hurt you or harm you." 

"Sir, I'm sorry. Viktor is sleeping..." A female voice answers, and I frown. 

"Who is it?" Question. 

"Mr. Sorrentino has hired my services. If you know what I mean..." My anger increases at high levels. 

I can't believe this idiot dared to cheat on my daughter! 

"Miss, tell him that tomorrow he will file papers for his divorce with my daughter and that both she and my grandson don't need your damn money." I end the call. "A scoundrel, miserable that I once considered as a son." I mean, going to the stairs. 

When I arrive in front of the door of the room where Eleonora is, I lean my head and I can hear her crying, making my heart break even more when I see her suffering. I tap it three times, and in a few seconds it opens. 

"I came here to know exactly what happened." I say, entering her room, after which she gives me space to enter. 

"I don't know for sure. He came home drunk and very nervous. I woke up with him putting my things in the suitcases. So he told me to get out of his life and go to hell, that he knew the baby I'm expecting is a bastard." Incredulous at what he has just said, I whisper a "bastard" and start pacing back and forth. 

"Tomorrow he will file the papers for the divorce." I approach her and hold her by the shoulders. "You are no longer alone, Eleonora. I'm here to protect you from Viktor and anyone else." Then I wrap her in a hug and close my eyes, feeling her body tremble from crying. I end up moving away from it and wipe away her tears. "Now, try to rest. Tomorrow we will talk more calmly. If you need anything, I'm in the next room and don't hesitate to go, right?" She silently agrees. 

I leave his room and enter mine, sighing with frustration. "Tomorrow will not pass. I will forget the years of friendship and defend my daughter tooth and nail."