Love on Loan

My husband Bruno's goomah was pregnant with their second child.

At the family dinner, he caressed his lover Ava's rounded belly.

"This one will be a boy, the future heir to the Marino family. As my wife, it is your duty to raise him."

This was the second time he had openly acknowledged one of his bastards.

I didn't make a scene like I had before. I just calmly lifted my head and looked Bruno straight in the eye.

Raucous laughter erupted from the family members around the table.

"Remember last time, when she acted like a madwoman? Looks like she's finally learned her place."

"The Rossi family's businesses have all been carved up. What can she do besides be an infertile trophy wife? She'll be kicked to the curb sooner or later."

Bruno's face was expressionless, allowing them to hurl their insults at me.

I fought back the tears burning my eyes and even managed a small smile.

"Bruno, let's get a divorce."

Bruno looked as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world, his lips curling into a dismissive smirk.

"Liliana, if you can come up with the hundred million dollars you owe this family, I'll sign the papers right now. Otherwise, stop making a scene."

I didn't argue, and just dialed an encrypted number.

"I accept the terms we discussed."

A lazy laugh echoed from the other end of the line.

"A hundred million? Merely the cost of a port. I can have it for you anytime, my princess."

My husband Bruno's goomah was pregnant with their second child.

At the family dinner, he caressed his lover Ava's rounded belly.

"This one will be a boy, the future heir to the Marino family. As my wife, it is your duty to raise him."

This was the second time he had openly acknowledged one of his bastards.

I didn't make a scene like I had before. I just calmly lifted my head and looked Bruno straight in the eye.

Raucous laughter erupted from the family members around the table.

"Remember last time, when she acted like a madwoman? Looks like she's finally learned her place."

"The Rossi family's businesses have all been carved up. What can she do besides be an infertile trophy wife? She'll be kicked to the curb sooner or later."

Bruno's face was expressionless, allowing them to hurl their insults at me.

I fought back the tears burning my eyes and even managed a small smile.

"Bruno, let's get a divorce."

Bruno looked as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world, his lips curling into a dismissive smirk.

"Liliana, if you can come up with the hundred million dollars you owe this family, I'll sign the papers right now. Otherwise, stop making a scene."

I didn't argue, and just dialed an encrypted number.

"I accept the terms we discussed."

A lazy laugh echoed from the other end of the line.

"A hundred million? Merely the cost of a port, nothing more. I