The Assistant

Roman and Valencia turn their heads to find Magdalena standing there, a hand over her very swollen belly, shaking with fury. Magdalena's eyes burned, and her chest heaved with every breath. Her other fist was balled into a fist, and her jaw was clenched at Roman placing a diamond ring on Valencia's finger—her diamond ring. Valencia's excitement and joy were suddenly replaced with worry and anger as she knew Magdalena wouldn't keep quiet. If Valencia had known Roman would propose, she would have asked him to wait until Magdalena wasn't around.

They had invited her as their last effort to bring everyone together for the children. Still, after tonight, Valencia knew whatever trust and connection Roman had built with Magdalena over the weeks had dissipated into thin air. There was no way in hell Magdalena would ever come around to the idea of Roman and Valencia being together now. Roman placed the microphone back on its stand as the crowd stared between the three of them. He cleared his throat and began to speak again.

"DJ, please continue with the music. These people came for a party, and that is exactly what they will get. Magdalena, follow me. Let's talk." Roman stared at her with stern eyes until she nodded in agreement.

The music started without a second thought as they left the stage. Magdalena never took her eyes off them. She followed them closely once they had passed her. Valencia and Roman had been so caught up in the proposal and Magdalena's outburst that they hadn't even noticed Cassius following them until they entered an empty meeting room next to the ballroom. Valencia wasn't sure Cassius would show after the way things had ended between him and Roman in Cabo, but a part of her hoped that their date and late-night talks convinced him to show. Due to the seriousness of the situation, Valencia bit back a small smile. As soon as Roman closed and locked the room's door, Magdalena didn't hold back.

"I can't fucking believe this. I'm the one carrying your fucking children, why is she getting the ring? It's supposed to be mine!" Her gaze fell on Valencia's hand, and to everyone's surprise, Magdalena lunged at her. "That is mine, and you know it, you–you hija de puta (son of a bitch)! Te mato, te juro que te mato (I'll kill you, I swear I'll kill you)!" She spat as Cassius and Roman grabbed her by the arms as they pulled her away from Valencia. "Let me go!" Magdalena screamed.

"Calm down, and we will," Cassius said in a calming voice.

"Fuck you, I–I don't even know who the fuck you are." Magdalena's brows furrowed as she searched her brain for a hint of who Cassius was. She pulled her arms from Roman's and Cassius' grip, "This isn't fair, damn it! Why her? What's so fucking special about this—this puerca (pig)." Her eyes trailed Valencia's curves in disgust, but Valencia loved her body, and the reaction Magdalena was hoping for never came. It only made Valencia and Magdalena hate each other even more.

"Don't you dare talk to her in that way, Magdalena. You have no right." Roman roared.

"Why not? She's stolen everything I've ever wanted and continues to do so. You were supposed to be mine, Roman. MINE. It's her fucking fault that you are too blind to see it! We—" her voice became softer, and she threw her arms over Roman's shoulders, "We belong together, Roman." Magdalena then took hold of Roman's hands and placed them on her stomach. "With us." For the first time, genuine tears of sadness began to form in her eyes, but it did nothing to sway Roman.

His heart ached for the woman, but he couldn't give her what she wanted. Roman pulled his hands from her body and stepped backward, reigniting the fire in Magdalena. She turned, and without warning, her hand met with Valencia's cheek once again. Roman and Cassius took her by the wrists, restraining her as she continued to lunge at Valencia. She was struggling against their strength once again.

Now infuriated, Valencia began to lunge at Magdalena, but then she remembered she was pregnant and held back the slap she wanted to return. Instead, Valencia stepped toward Magdalena, inches from her face.