Chapter 52
I woke up in the middle of the night. I suddenly felt thirsty so I decided to head to the kitchen. I expected Stefano to be sleeping beside me, but there’s no one. I just shrugged it off, knowing he’s probably busy investigating all recent events.
All day, I didn’t go out. I didn’t even eat. I didn’t even ask where we are, so I'm just taking my time observing the house as I search for the kitchen. After some time of searching, I finally found the kitchen. I grabbed a glass of water.
While quenching my thirst, I felt like someone passed behind me. The wind gave shivers all over my body. I started palpitating, and my hands started shaking terribly. I ended up dropping the glass I was holding.
Then someone appeared in front of me. I almost shouted, but she quickly covered my mouth. When she sensed that I already figured out who she was, she uncovered my mouth and stepped back.
“Veronica,” I mumbled. “Do you want to kill me?”
“I do,” she said without a flinch. She said it with a straight face, giving me an eerie vibe. I couldn't say anything and just stared at her, wondering if she’s serious or not. “I really want to kill you. I mean it.”
Like a reflex, I stepped back.
“Don’t fear me yet. I do want to kill you but I didn’t say I would kill you.”
“Stefano —”
“Don’t get me wrong. I won’t kill someone for a man, unless that man is my son. I’m a mother, Emily… not a wife.”
It became silent between us. I don’t know how long that deadly silence lasted. It was so awkward, and I feel like both of us have so many things to say but we just can’t say it for some reason.
Finally, I decided to break the deafening silence. “H-How’s Noah?”
Veronica let out a soft chuckle as she chugs on the can of beer she grabbed from the fridge a while ago. “How funny. I expected those words from Stefano… not from you. But he never said it. Not once.”
“I–”
“He hasn't checked Noah since the incident. All he ever did was to sit by your side and yell at the doctors because you haven’t gained consciousness yet.”
For some reason, I could feel a sense of anger and pain in her voice. I get the feeling that somehow… she’s blaming me. She’s pointing something out, or more like pointing at me.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I already left him. I knew that coming back to him won’t change anything. He still wouldn’t choose me, or our child, over his family and the company. I knew that there’s no point in coming back. So, I didn’t. I kept his own son away from him. I robbed my son of a father, because I know it’s better than having a father who will choose wealth and power over him.”
“Stefano isn’t like that.”
“He isn’t now.” She turned towards me. It’s dark but I could still see tears forming in her eyes. “I witnessed how he’s ready to sell the entire world just to have you with him. I was so afraid that he’ll forget his own son for money, but now I could see clearly that he’s ready to forget his own blood for you. He will choose you over Noah.”
“No! Noah is precious to Stefano! Noah is his son! He will never abandon his own child even if it's for me!”
“Can’t you see it?! Stop acting blind! Admit it, Emily! You know it to yourself… don’t deny it. Stop denying it! You know that Stefano will do everything for you… including abandoning his own son.”
My heart starts beating loud and heavy. I want to deny it. No. I have to deny it.
“No… Stefano isn’t like that. You don’t know him!”
“You think you know him that well?”
“I—”
“You don’t know either. You don’t know what he’s capable of doing.” Veronica stepped closer and our eyes intensely locked gazes. “I… will protect my son. Even if it's against Stefano, or even against you.”
Veronica left, leaving me bewildered. I could feel my hands shaking and my knees getting weaker. Tears flow down, my head becomes heavy, and my heart continues to race.
It starts raining. Thunder and lightning strikes as I continue to stand in the kitchen, lost in thought. My heart aches more and more as the rain gets heavier.
To summarize the entire situation… I’m competing with a child for Stefano’s attention and affection? Will I be— no, am I in between Noah and Stefano? Am I a hindrance?
But all this time, I was always walking on thin ice and always questioned my position in Stefano’s life. I always felt that I am nothing compared to Noah. I always believed that no matter what happens, Stefano will choose his son. 
I always knew that I had to be prepared. Prepared to leave when I no longer belong in Stefano’s life. I kept preparing myself for that, because I have already accepted that Noah is Stefano’s flesh and blood — no matter what happens.
But… Veronica sees me the way I see her and Noah.
That’s when I realized… the three of us…could never co-exist in Stefano’s life.
“Emily.” I looked up and there he was. He’s standing in front of me. When the lightning strikes, light emits, showing a clearer picture of his face.
I smiled and ran towards him. I stopped in front of him, before embracing him.
“Did anything happen? Are you okay? I’m sorry —”
“I love you.” I closed my eyes tightly as I felt tears flowing down my eyes. “I love you so much.”
He tightens his embrace and I could feel him kissing my head. “I love you more. I love you the most, Emily. I promise to protect you no matter what happens.”
I nodded silently and hugged him tighter.
Please don’t. 
Don’t…love me more.