- Why? Because your sister was a better choice for James. Who would want to help someone else's child instead of their own?

- I beg your pardon? I exclaimed, my eyes widening. Someone else's child? I'm as much your daughter as Mila is.

- Stop lying to yourself," she replied, approaching me. You will always be Isla Pearson's daughter. Not mine! Let me get this straight. We're not related.

So that's what it was all about.

- Carmela! My father shouted, reacting for the first time since I arrived.

- Did you think I was going to keep my mouth shut? Carmela continues. If you hadn't had that fling with a whore, we wouldn't be in this mess! She had to die and her children ended up with us!

- Carmela, shut up!

- On top of that, she ended up losing some of her memories in an accident. Do you know how I feel since that day she called me mom?!

Memories start to come back instantly. My mother's face, her smiles, her voice. All my memories that were confused after the accident that happened a few years ago are coming back in order. How things actually happened and especially Carmela and Mila.

- A whore? I repeated, raising my voice. Carmela, if you hadn't had an affair with a married man, we simply wouldn't be here. I have to thank you though, otherwise I wouldn't have met my husband today.

The murmurs start again in the room, accompanied this time by giggles. Gabrielo squeezes my hand, pulls me towards him and starts caressing my shoulder affectionately. I hold on to him, caressing my belly. It seems that strong emotions really don't do me any good lately.

Carmela stares at me completely speechless. Mila joins her before she starts to defend her mother.

- Shut up," I ordered, glaring at her. If your mother hadn't lured my father into a bar 20 years ago, you wouldn't be here. If she had any respect for another woman's marriage, if she cared about anything other than money, you wouldn't be in this house and my mother wouldn't be six feet under right now. So, I'm going to repeat myself Mila Rodriguez: shut up.

- I won't tolerate this! Her mother says.

- Don't forget that according to the terms of the will, if I'm married before I'm thirty, 50% of the shares of the family business that belonged to my mother go to me. And I don't intend to give it up.

I detach myself from Gabrielo to get up and leave the room without adding anything. That's why I hadn't missed the family reunions. Remembering so many things exhausted me. Not to mention the fights that are always going on with Carmela. I sit on the floor, breathing in deeply when a sharp pain hits my stomach.

- What's wrong? Gabrielo panics as he gets down to my level.

- My stomach hurts. It's nothing. It will pass," I answered, breathing heavily. It's probably just contractions.

Gabrielo took me in his arms before getting up and heading outside.

- Where are we going?

- To the hospital," Gabrielo replies, putting me in the passenger seat.

- I'm telling you that -Ouch!

- That's what I thought too.

_______________________________________________

Final verdict: the doctor's opinion is rarely in your favor.

I'm on bed rest for the next three days. My grandmother forbade anyone to come bother me. The doctor announced that it was stress and accumulated fatigue that had put me in this state. Gabrielo, who took it very seriously, wanted to take me back to New York, but I refused. That's how I ended up stuck on this bed for the last two days.

-You really don't want to go home? My husband tries again.

- Gabrielo, you know I love you, but you're starting to piss me off. We've had this conversation before and my answer won't change. Besides, traveling always stresses me out.

- We'll leave as soon as this whole wedding thing is over. You got it?

- All right. By the time we get back, I want you to have called Cole and Meavy to fix up the baby's room. And I want to be able to work from home without having to listen to you complain.

- Why would you want to work?

- Bridal fashion week is in a few months. I need to work on some new designs. And fast.

- Whatever you need. It's not like I'm here to force you to do anything. Just take it easy on yourself.

- I promise. Now come lie down with me. I crave your company after you left me for your work.

- Your wish is my command," he concedes as he comes to kiss me.

_________

Today I am finally free to move from the bed after three days of forced rest. Meavy came to visit me as usual before she had to go back to the United States. If I understood correctly, she received an important job from a big client. She's going to take care of the baby's room until we get back with Cole.

- Ready ? Gabrielo asks as he gets out of the shower.

- No, and I probably never will be. Why do we have to watch this farce?

- Because Mrs. Moretti said she was well enough to attend yesterday when she met her family. And since I'm a good husband and I love you, I'm going along for moral support.

- I should have kept my mouth shut," I mumbled as I got out of bed.

- Unfortunately for us, it's too late to turn back. Up and at 'em, let's go for the tasting.

- I'm outraged, frankly. I didn't even get a cake for my wedding and I'm going to be involved in hers. I hope she chokes on her cake.

Gabrielo laughs before taking me in his arms and kissing my forehead.

- You'll have your cake, your dress and your perfect wedding," he says. Anything you want as long as you stay with me.

I let myself go temporarily and he takes the opportunity to pass his hand on my belly. A smile appears on his face and he holds me close to him.

- I want a girl, he announces while looking at me.

- I hope she'll make you wear frilly dresses and drink tea. Now let's go.

We leave my room hand in hand under the glance of my family. Amber waves to me and walks with Steven to his car. I do the same before deciding to turn around. The car goes into the street in the direction of the bakery.

- I want to go home, I complain.

- If we're here, it's all your fault," Gabrielo retorts without taking his eyes off the landscape. You're going to do me a favor and stop complaining. Smile, you're going to eat some cake.

- Youhou! I've never been so happy in my life," I said ironically. Honestly, eating cake with my half-sister and my ex couldn't have been better!

- Breathe, Alma, breathe. Everything is going to be okay. We're going to sit down with the others and go back.

- You know very well that's not true. Even optimism doesn't work that well anymore.

We get out of the car before going into the bakery. Everyone else seems to have arrived before us. We go towards Amber and Steven at first.

- What's the matter?

- The cake is still not ready and your mother - sorry, Carmela is making a scene in the kitchen.

- Great, as if the day wasn't already long enough, I sighed.

I sat down on a chair next to my cousin, resting my head on her shoulder. Gabrielo and Steven have gone to get us drinks while we wait for the cake. I'm starting to fall asleep when I hear a throat clearing.

James is standing in front of us, watching me without saying anything.

- What?

- I'd like to talk to you," he asks as we move forward. Alone, if possible.