Pregnant by the Mafia Boss

26

L I L I A N A

A month later, It's Fashion Week in New York, and the excitement is electric.

The energy from the crowd, the flashing cameras, the bright lights, it's intoxicating.

I should be used to this by now. I've walked countless runways in the years I've been a model, but today is different.

Today, there's a heaviness in my chest.

I step into the spotlight, the music thumping through my body as I walk down the runway.

As I took my first steps down the runway, my heart raced.

My body moved on autopilot, the practiced sway of my hips, the careful tilt of my head, the way I kept my gaze distant but focused.

But I couldn't focus tonight.

In the front row, seated at the edge of the catwalk, I saw him.

Alessandro.

The one man who had made me feel something real, something deep and untouchable.

A man I had loved more than anyone, more than anything in my life, and yet, here we were, separated.

Tonight, in the front row of this fashion show, I saw him clearly. But he was sitting beside her.

Clarissa. His fiancée.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, to keep my face a mask of professionalism, but my heart clenched in my chest.

The sight of them, together, so close, her hand resting on his knee, a large diamond ring on her finger, his eyes on her, made me feel like I had been punched in the stomach.

It was all too much.

The way they leaned in toward each other, the way he whispered something in her ear, making her laugh softly.

They were so happy. So in love. And I... I was just standing here, a woman who had once been part of that world, but now, I was a stranger to it.

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I thought I might trip.

My legs felt weak beneath me, my stomach turning in knots.

But I couldn't show it. Not here. Not now.

Not in front of these people, who were waiting to see the perfection they had come to expect from me.

I forced myself to look ahead, to focus on my steps, my breathing, but my mind kept drifting back to him.

I try to push the thoughts away. This is a runway show. This is my job, my passion. I'm not here to get distracted by the past.

But as I move forward, it's impossible not to feel the weight of everything that's happened.

Memories flood my mind, memories of us, when he'd give me roses and the diamond necklace after a show.

The way he'd look at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.

That was before everything fell apart. Before Bianca accused me of hurting her, before Alessandro pushed me away, before everything I thought I had crumbled like dust in my hands.

I swallow hard, my throat tightening. I needed to focus. I need to make it to the end of this runway without breaking down.

But it's so hard. My vision blurs slightly, the lights in front of me becoming a haze as I try to maintain my composure.

I don't know how I do it, but I make it to the end of the runway.

I stop, pose, smile like everything is fine. But inside, I feel like I'm crumbling.

The applause sounds distant, like it's coming from somewhere far away.

But as I turned and walked back down the runway, I saw them again, Alessandro and Clarissa, sitting there, their fingers intertwined.

The sight of them, so perfect, was too much.

I felt the sting of something sharp, something that was more than just sadness.

It was a deep, aching longing for something I could never have. For something I had lost.

I reached the backstage area, my chest heaving, my hands shaking. I could feel my breath coming in short gasps, my legs unsteady.

I needed to get out of there, away from the noise, away from the cameras, away from all the eyes that would be on me.

The moment I was behind the curtains, I bolted for the nearest bathroom.

I stumbled to the sink, gripping the cold porcelain as if it would steady me. My breath was erratic, and my heart was pounding in my ears.

And then, without warning, it happened.

I leaned over the sink and threw up.

The nausea had occurred over these past weeks, but today, it was more than I could handle.

The sound of footsteps approaching startles me, and I quickly wipe my face and mouth, trying to compose myself before anyone sees how much I'm falling apart.

I stand up straight, but the world around me feels like it's spinning.

I clutch the edge of the sink for balance, my heart still racing.

I wish I could forget him. I wish I could stop loving him, stop feeling the way I do every time I see him with someone else.

But it's hard. It's so hard.

The door opens, and Mia's voice calls out to me. "Liliana? Are you okay?"

I can hear the concern in her voice, but I can't bring myself to face her.

"I'm fine," I lie, my voice shaky. "Just... just a little dizzy."

There's a long pause before he speaks again. "You sure? We need to get you ready for the after-party."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I want to say yes, to pretend everything is fine, but the truth is too heavy to ignore.

"Can you give me a minute?" I whisper. "I just... I need some time."

She doesn't argue as she leaves me alone.

I stand there, my hands gripping the counter, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I don't recognize the woman staring back at me.

I don't know how to fix this, how to move on from Alessandro.

I thought I was strong. I thought I could handle this.

But right now, at this moment, I feel like I can't handle anything.