- What's the deal? I have nothing to say to you," I replied, my eyes glued to my phone screen.

- Alma, please," James begged.

- No. When I wanted an explanation for your cheating, remember what you just said? "Why should I explain anything to you?"

- I just want us to have a proper conversation between adults.

- I don't have anything to say to you and I don't want to know anything more about you. If you have something to tell me, talk to my husband. Get lost!

James turns back without replying. I see Gabo arriving in our direction with a pastry for me, my favorite one at that. I smile at him before kissing him and thanking him. He sits me on his lap while waiting for the time of the tasting to come. The cake designer arrives soon and we start to test the cakes.

- What's the matter? Gabrielo asks as I sway over him.

- I want to go to the bathroom," I whispered in response.

- Go then. I'll wait here with your cake.

- Thank you," I said.

I get up quickly before heading down a hallway where the bathroom is located. This is already the second time since we arrived. This child is really starting to weigh heavily on my bladder. I hurry to finish my business and go out again. I come face to face with James who seems to be waiting for me since earlier.

- What do you want now?

- To talk to you. I only want you to listen to me.

- Speak then, I answer curtly.

He looks at his feet while fiddling with his fingers.

- You were right to leave me," he said, looking into my eyes. I'm sorry for the pain I caused you.

- What do you want? I asked, squinting my eyes. Even if you had regrets, you should have expressed them earlier. If you're telling me this now, it means you want something.

- I wanted to ask you a favor. Leave Mila alone, please. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into our mess.

- She does and you know it as well as I do. If she hadn't been sleeping with you behind my back, we wouldn't be in this mess.

- Alma-

- I told you to stop saying my name with that dirty mouth of yours. You know what the worst part of this story is? I asked with a bitter smile. It was at my house that you were meeting. You didn't even have an ounce of respect for me so why should I have any for you now?

- Alma, listen to me," he said, stepping forward and grabbing my arm. Leave Mila alone. I'm not joking with you.

- I'm not joking with you either. I told you that, didn't I? "Fool me and I'll make you bite your fingers off so hard you'll wish you'd never crossed my path." This is just the beginning. What would your beloved mom say if she found out about Alexia and Mathéo? Not to mention the way you used to play with Christian.

- When did you...?

- Since the beginning, before we even started dating. Nothing can be hidden from me, you see. When I want to know something, I use every means at my disposal. Did you really think I was going to keep your secret after what you did?

- It's none of your business," he hisses.

- Alexia is one of my closest friends. I kept the secret in the past to stay with you. It's all over now. Alexia has been having some problems lately. I'll make sure they're taken care of before I leave.

I break away from his grasp before heading to the room and back to my husband. Everything will be known in due time. Nothing and no one will stop me from seeking justice.

__________

- Alma! I haven't been able to talk to you since you got here. How have you been? James' mother asks.

- I'm doing fine. How about you?

- I'm doing great. Congratulations on your wedding and your pregnancy by the way. It's a little late, but don't hold it against me. So tell me, how is life in New York?

- Wonderful," I replied, smiling at her. How is your husband doing?

- Very well, thank you. I'm sorry for what James did to you. I know you don't need my apology, but I am sorry. I feel like I've failed as a mother, she sighs. What a failure.

James enters the room with Mila by his side. He sees me out of the corner of his eye with his mother. I smile briefly before resuming my conversation. He walks over to us and grabs my arm.

- Can you let go of me, please?

- How about we go talk? He suggests with a clenched jaw.

- No, thank you. Let me go.

- Leave her alone, his mother orders, trying to separate me from his grip.

He's really starting to hurt me.

- Take your hand away, says Gabrielo, coming up behind him. Quickly. Make the most of the fact that I'm still willing to talk.

Gabrielo grabs James' hand and forces him to let go of me gently. I see my ex's face twist in pain as Gabrielo looks furious. He makes the mother and son leave so we can talk quietly.

- What's going on here?

- Nothing, I just told my brother-in-law that I have become aware of all the things he has buried in the past. He was ashamed and I swore to reveal everything. He didn't like it, that's it.

- Alma," Gabrielo sighs, pulling me closer to him. I don't care what you do because I trust you.

- I know you do.

- But don't act like you're not pregnant. You are going to drive me crazy. Just knowing that your ex is around all the time even when I'm not around is already getting on my nerves so stop acting like nothing's changed.

- Gabrielo," I said, taking him in my arms. That's so sweet. I appreciate you being jealous and worried. I'll be careful so stop getting stressed out.

- I hope so. Otherwise, I'll handcuff you to the bed until we get back," he says, kissing my forehead.

I laugh at his words before standing up. I still hope it doesn't come to that. That would mean a lot of fun in a certain way. Everyone seems to be busy tasting cake and talking. We go outside to get some fresh air.

- Alma! says a voice behind me.

Who is calling me again?

- Christian! I exclaimed as I spotted my cousin. I missed you!

- I missed you too," he said, taking him in my arms.

Gabrielo grabs me by the waist, preventing me from approaching him. I turn to him by frowning.

- What is wrong? I asked.

- Who is it? my husband asks as he watches Christian draw near.

- It is Amber's brother, Christian.

- The famous one, he murmured.

- Yes, now let me greet him, I whispered.

We continue to look at each other before he releases me. I take Christian in my arms and we return to join the others. Amber joined us accompanied by Steven and Yuma. The tasting ends and we return each one on our side. The trip in the car happens in a good mood.

- Gabrielo ?

- Hum ?

- We could make a detour before going back ?

- No problem. Where are we going?

- Follow my lead.

I lead Gabrielo to the location. He parks and we get out of the car in the center of town.

- Do you want to tell me where we are going now?

- To the cemetery and then to the notary.