She looked up and saw an engagement banner as Filippo and Navira announced that they planned to get married soon.
Navira was smiling happily, with Filippo's hands wrapped around her waist like something possessive, almost territorial. They were dressed like a couple, looked like a couple, and even spoke like one.
Seeing them on the screen made Delfina's throat tighten. Tears threatened to pool in her eyes, but she blinked them back.
After escaping from his grasp, the best thing he could do was announce his engagement to the whole of Milan.
Seeing him looking so happy, without a single care in the world, broke Delfina's heart. He had already shown his true colors. They both had shown their true colors to her, so why did it still hurt this much?
She should simply accept that they were evil and move on. But why was it so difficult?
"Just a week ago, Filippo was supposed to get married to Delfina," the interviewer said, pausing for a moment and leaving behind a second filled with awkward silence before she continued. "I'm sure the whole world must be curious to know the reason behind this sudden…change."
Navira smiled sweetly at the interviewer before turning to face the camera, her diamond earrings sparkling under the bright lights.
"All I can say is that Filippo and I fell in love with each other a very long time ago. He fell out of love with Delfina long before he fell in love with me." She rushed the second sentence quickly, as if trying to escape an accusation should one ever arise. "They eventually broke up, and he proposed to me."
She lifted her hand, displaying the ring on her finger. Just like her earrings, it sparkled beneath the stage lights.
"Isn't that right, babe?" she asked, turning to Filippo.
"That's right," Filippo agreed immediately, blinking a few times as if trying to regain his focus. "Delfina and I are over, and I'll be getting married to Navira in a few weeks."
There was an edge to his tone that only Navira picked up on, but she said nothing.
Valentina quickly grabbed the remote and turned off the television, deciding that Delfina had seen enough.
When she turned to face her friend, Delfina's expression was cold and emotionless. She sat frozen on the bed, stiff and unmoving, which frightened Valentina enough that she gently nudged her.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm alright," Delfina replied immediately.
She had come to realize and accept that she had loved the wrong man. He didn't care about her. He never loved her. He had simply played her for a fool throughout the time they'd been together.
Delfina stared down at the bandages covering her body. They concealed the injuries he'd inflicted on her, and even if they didn't leave physical scars, his actions and words were more than enough to do that.
She swallowed hard before looking up at Valentina and forcing a smile, the kind that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm alright," she repeated, and this time it was enough to calm Valentina.
**
Backstage…
Navira grabbed Filippo's arm when he tried to walk away without a word, forcing him to turn and face her.
"And what was that all about?" she demanded, an ugly scowl forming on her face as she glared at him. She tried to keep her voice low so the crew arranging their equipment wouldn't hear, but a few heads still turned.
"What was what about?" Filippo asked, mirroring her expression.
"You think I didn't notice you acting like you were in a trance earlier?" she snapped. "You left me to answer all the questions while I had to be extra careful with my words, and you were just…daydreaming."
Filippo raised an eyebrow before rubbing his forehead in frustration.
"We're finally engaged. Why are you acting like this all of a sudden?" she pressed, her eyes narrowing. "Is it because she's…" She lowered her voice even more. "Not here?"
"I don't have any business with Delfina anymore," Filippo replied flatly.
"But you've been acting distant for the past three hours, Filippo," she continued. "She disappeared today, and you haven't even looked at me since then. Not only that, you didn't even want to announce our engagement. Why?"
Filippo sighed, wishing he could rewind time just to escape dealing with Navira for a while.
It had only been three hours since Delfina was kidnapped. He kept reminding himself not to be bothered by it, yet his thoughts refused to leave her.
She had only been absent from his life for three hours, and he already felt like he was losing his mind. Then Navira had come up with the idea of announcing their engagement that very same day. She had argued relentlessly while he tried to convince her that it was too soon.
Even though he tried to hide it, she had still noticed how unfocused he was during the interview.
Filippo said nothing. He couldn't say anything. He didn't have the strength to deal with her, so he stayed silent.
"You'd better listen to me, Filippo," Navira said, her tone firm. "This was supposed to be a surprise later tonight, but I'm pregnant with your child."
His eyes widened slightly.
"So you'd better bring your attention back here because we need you. You need an heir if you want your position in your family to stay secure. And if you dare to misbehave…" Her lips curved into a cold smile. "I'll abort this child."
Without waiting for a response, she walked away, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Filippo remained frozen where he stood, Navira's words echoing in his mind.
She was pregnant with his child. They were going to be parents. He was supposed to be happy, but instead…
Delfina had been kidnapped. She was no longer in his life. Should he search for her or leave her to rot wherever she was being held?
He had finally gotten everything he thought he wanted, yet the happiness he expected felt impossibly far away.