If you only knew...

42.His despair

Ana's POV

After I explain to my parents that I can't stay for dinner, I quickly hail a taxi to Marco's place, feeling a mix of urgency and dread. It's been over two hours since we last spoke, and the thought of what he wants to discuss weighs heavily on me.

A knot of anxiety twists in my stomach; his urgent request feels like an omen. What could be so important that he couldn't say it over the phone? The thought of our future conversation about the wedding date looms like a dark cloud—I can't shake off the anger bubbling within me. Why has he kept this from me? Is my anger directed at him for the deceit, or is part of it aimed at myself for feeling so burdened and guilty?

As I approach his door, a warm glow from the living room confirms he's home. With a deep breath, I step inside and find him on the couch, a glass of whiskey cradled in his hand, his gaze fixed sadly on the floor. An unsettling silence hangs in the air, sparking my curiosity and concern all at once.

"Marco, are you okay?" I murmur, my voice laced with worry as I watch him lift his gaze toward me, the weight of his emotions evident in his eyes.

"Let me be clear," he says, slowly rising from the couch, his eyes locked onto mine as he strides toward me. "I know everything, Ana. My suspicions about your betrayal were not unfounded." His voice cuts through the air—sharp, firm, and unyielding.

"Marco... what do you mean?" My heart races, and it feels like the ground is disappearing beneath me. I'm desperate to maintain an air of innocence, but anxiety courses through my veins.

"Don't play games with me, Ana!" he roars, his face inches from mine, simmering with fury and disappointment. "What kind of woman are you?!" He raises his hand as if to strike, but stops, a flicker of hesitation flashing across his features.

"Marco, please, just calm down. Can we talk about this?" I urge, taking a step back, my voice steady but soft, trying to defuse the tension crackling between us.

"What is there to talk about, Ana?!" he shrieks, his rage palpable. "Do you want to talk about how you're sleeping with Xavier?!" He grips my shoulders fiercely, his gaze piercing into me with an intensity that feels almost suffocating.

"Who told you this?!" I exclaim, my voice trembling as I struggle to mask my surprise and fear.

"I saw it with my own eyes!" he shouts, his fury palpable. "I followed you, Ana. I witnessed where you've been spending your day... and I can only imagine how many other days there are!" His hands hold my shoulders tightly, transmitting a tidal wave of anger.

"You were spying on me?!" I ask, disbelief coloring my tone as I try to process his shocking revelation.

"Yes, and it turns out I was right to do so!" he growls, his grip tightening, a mixture of rage and contempt flaring in his eyes.

"Marco, please! You're hurting me—let go!" A surge of dread washes over me as I watch Marco. I have never seen him so furious, so violent, his anger boiling over in a way that sends chills down my spine.

"What is it about him that I lack?" Marco's voice trembles with a mix of frustration and hurt as his grip on my shoulders tightens.

"I... I really don't know, Marco..." I reply, my heart racing and my words stumbling over each other.

"Is it just because he's good-looking? Is that all you want, Ana?!" Marco's voice booms with frustration, cutting through the tension in the room.

I hesitate, searching for the right words, my heart racing. "No... it's more than that," I finally whisper, each syllable laced with vulnerability as I fight the shame creeping in. I need him to understand.