Chapter 11
At 8 p.m., drizzle quietly blanketed Miami.
The Neo-Tradition Gala was drawing to a close.
Tracy had left early due to an emergency. Concetta explored the exhibition on her own.
As she strolled through the venue, she exchanged contact information with a few promising new designers. The night had been unexpectedly rewarding.
She hadn’t expected that, after so many years away, reconnecting with the design world would still stir such passion in her.
Each conversation felt like a spark, rekindling the part of her that had been asleep for years.
“Thankfully,” she thought, “maybe it’s not too late after all.”
When the event ended, Concetta stood under the awning, waiting for her car.
Just then, a black SUV pulled up by the curb. The window rolled down.
“Ms. McFarland,” a man said, “the rain’s getting heavier. Would you like a ride?”
Concetta looked up and met his warm gaze.
It was Sergio Sanford, one of the artists she had exchanged contacts with earlier.
He was a renowned woodcarving artisan; his craftsmanship was nothing short of extraordinary.
She smiled and was just about to politely decline when a shrill, mocking voice cut through the air.”Well, well. No wonder you care of my mom. You’ve found yourself a new behind Alejandro’s back, haven’t you?”
Concetta’s brows furrowed as she turned toward the speaker.”It’s not what you think.”
Francesca sneered, her eyes flitting from Concetta to the man in the car.
Then she scoffed, “So this is what you’re busy with? After you left my brother, your taste really hit rock bottom.”
refused to take
“This woman is as disgusting as ever,” she thought.”She drugged my brother and slept with him back then. Later, she got pregnant.
“And to protect her reputation, Alejandro kept it a secret and even married her. Poor Sharon was heartbroken.
“Now, a few years later, she’s back to her old tricks, trying to seduce another man?
“She is such a shameless tramp.”
Francesca spat, her face twisted with contempt, “Don’t forget who you are now, Concetta. If Lynne and Hyman found out what you’ve been up
get divorced already.” to, do you think they’d still call you Mom? If you’re itching to be with someone else, do us all a favor and
Concetta’s lashes trembled. A bitter ache twisted in her chest.
All these years married to Alejandro, she’d been branded as promiscuous and forced to sever all her social ties.
But that night… she had been drugged, too.
She had planned to call the police, but Alejandro, his body burning with heat, pulled her into his arms.
“I’ll take care of you,” he said. She believed him. They shared a night of intimacy and got married soon after.
But he failed to keep his promise. For years, he had left her to wither in solitude, away from her friends and stripped of the career that once defined her.
And somehow, she had been stupid enough to believe that was love.
She gave a small, self-deprecating smile and said quietly, “Don’t worry. I’ve already filed for divorce.”
< Chapter 12
