Chapter 22Later that evening, Kaitlyn found herself on the balcony, needing a moment to catch her breath. The city lights stretched out before her, a sea of twinkling stars that seemed to mirror the overwhelming emotions flowing within her.Estefan joined her a moment later, his presence comforting. “You’re doing great,” he murmured, his hand resting on the railing next to hers.Kaitlyn turned to him, her heart pounding in her chest. “This is all so much. Your parents, Michael, Melissa, this party feels surreal.”Estefan nodded, his expression softening. “I know it’s a lot, but you handled it perfectly. My parents already adore you.”Kaitlyn smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I hope so.”Estefan tilted her chin up gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “They do. And so do I.”The sincerity in his voice took her by surprise. For a moment, the burden of their arrangement, the contracts, and the deception
Chapter 23For Kaitlyn and Estefan, the days after the announcement of their engagement were filled with nonstop activity. Their engagement sparked a tremendous media frenzy, with reporters relentlessly seeking them for interviews and paparazzi setting up camp outside their respective residences. Kaitlyn found herself thrust into a world of celebrity, a far cry from the quiet life she had once known.Even with all of the chaos, Kaitlyn and Estefan remained committed to organizing their ideal wedding. They hired a renowned wedding planner, who began working tirelessly to create a magical event that would make waves in the city and be the talk of the town.The venue was a grand estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. The décor was a mix of classic elegance and modern sophistication, with a color palette of blush pink and champagne gold.The guest list was a challenge in itself. Kaitlyn and Estefan had to
Chapter 24Melissa paced the living room, her hands clenched into fists. The constant chatter about Kaitlyn and Estefan’s engagement was driving her insane. Every news article, every social media post, was a reminder of her own failures. She had lost everything: her best friend, her reputation, and now, even her sense of self. She had been so consumed by her desire to make Kaitlyn know she was the upper hand that she had lost sight of everything else and the possibilities of what Kaitlyn could do.Michael sat on the couch, watching her with a mixture of pity and concern. He knew how much this was hurting her, but he didn’t know how to help and was indeed powerless to render any help at the moment. He had lost his own sense of purpose after their betrayal, and now he felt like he was watching his life fall apart.Their relationship had been strained ever since they knew about Kaitlyn’s engagement, though they had put in effort in order to make it work,
Chapter 25Standing before the mirror, Kaitlyn's reflection created an odd, whitish vision. The exquisite lace of her gown flowed gracefully to the floor, faintly glistening in the soft light. Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement, fear, and an unshakable sense of disbelief. She was about to marry Estefan Salvatore; a man who, just months ago, had been unknown to her. Now, he was about to become her husband.Isabella Salvatore, Estefan's mother, entered the room in her elegant figure."You look absolutely stunning, Kaitlyn," she said with a warm smile but with expectation in her eyes."Thank you, Mrs. Salvatore," Kaitlyn replied, her voice tinged with nervousness. Despite the kindness in Isabella's words, Kaitlyn couldn't ignore the unspoken assessment. She knew that marrying into a family as powerful as the Salvador’s came with its own set of challenges and responsibilities.Isabella stepped closer, adjusting the veil that flows down Kaitlyn's back. "You’re part of our famil
Chapter 26The morning after the wedding, the world felt both familiar and entirely foreign to Kaitlyn. As the first rays of sunlight flow through the luxurious bedroom, she stirred, feeling the unfamiliar weight of a ring on her finger. The events of the previous day rushed back, bringing with them a mix of emotions she struggled to sort through.The bed beside her was empty; Estefan had already risen. She glanced at the clock: 7:00 AM. No surprise there. Estefan was a man of routine, and his business cleverness demanded early starts. The realization that she was now part of this world felt strange. This was her life now being Mrs. Estefan Salvatore, a name that carried weight, prestige, and no small amount of pressure.Kaitlyn swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet touching the cool marble floor. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It was still early, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. There wer
Chapter 27"What did they say?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and not give her emotions away."Michael is furious," Estefan said, his tone calm but with an hint of anger. "But he’s in no position to do anything. I’ve made sure of that."Kaitlyn nodded, trusting Estefan’s judgment. He was a man of power, and she knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But still, the idea of Michael and Melissa plotting their next move was unsettling."They won’t be a problem, Kaitlyn," Estefan assured her, sensing her worry. "I won’t let them hurt you again."Kaitlyn looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. Estefan was many things: cold, calculating, and, at times, ruthless. But he had shown her a side of himself that was protective, even caring. It was this side of him that she clung to, the side that made her believe that maybe, just maybe, there was a future for them beyond the contract. But she does not want to think abo
Chapter 28Michael Walker sat in his office, his eyes glued to the screen of his computer. He had spent the last few weeks distracted, barely able to concentrate on his work. The news had spread like wildfire, and now every media outlet was buzzing with the story: Kaitlyn Dever, the woman he had discarded, was now Mrs. Estefan Salvatore. Michael’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of his desk, the muscles in his jaw tightening with every passing second.“How could she?” Michael muttered under his breath, his mind racing with a mix of anger, jealousy, and a constant sense of regret. He had expected Kaitlyn to crumble after their breakup, to wallow in misery while he and Melissa moved on with their lives. Instead, she had risen like a phoenix from the ashes, aligning herself with one of the most powerful men in the country and his big boss at that.He felt a sharp pang in his chest, a bitter truth of the life he could have had if he hadn’t be
Chapter 29A few days after the wedding, Kaitlyn found herself nervously adjusting her dress in the mirror, trying to suppress the butterflies flying in her stomach. Today was the day she would meet more of Estefan’s family members beyond his parents and brother, Adrian, whom she had already encountered. The small gathering was meant to officially welcome her into the Salvatore family. Despite the small private gathering, Kaitlyn couldn’t shake off the feeling that she was about to be assessed by Estefan's extended family. The dinner was long overdue; Estefan had postponed it due to his busy schedule before their wedding.A soft knock on her bedroom door interrupted her thought. While she was still contemplating who was at her door, she heard Estefan's subtle voice from the other side."Kaitlyn, we should be leaving any moment for now.""Oh," Kaitlyn muttered to herself."Are you there? Can I come in?There was a b
Chapter 117Melissa sat across from Michael cold and with a rigid posture, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She had waited long enough, and now it was time to lay her cards on the table. In a calm yet resolute manner, she uttered those words that would change everything between them.“I want a divorce, Michael.” Her wavering eyes were locked onto his, as she declared. “And I don’t expect you to fight this.” She waved a hand at him.Michael sat motionless as he blinked, trying to process what she had just said, slowly letting her words sink in. Divorce? They had their issues, sure, but he hadn’t expected this. Not now, though their relationship was heading in that direction, but he wasn’t expecting this so abruptly.Melissa continued; her voice was strangely calm, as if she had rehearsed the lines many times before. "I don’t want anything from you. No money, no property—nothing. I can take care of myself." She exhaled sharply, as if relieved to get it off her chest.He tried to
Chapter 116Michael and Melissa Apartment Melissa’s heart raced as she watched Michael, waiting for his response. The room seemed to grow colder; the sound from the television was barely audible at the moment amidst the tension between them. She had put everything on the line with her question, and now she needed the truth, no matter how painful it might be.Michael leaned back on the couch, rubbing his face with both hands. His mind was spinning as his heart conflicted. He wanted to be honest with Melissa, but even he wasn’t entirely sure of the answer. How could he explain the complicated feelings he still harbored for Kaitlyn while trying to build something real with Melissa?Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Michael spoke. “Melissa, I can’t lie to you,” he began, his eyes meeting hers with regret and frustration. “I’m trying to move on. I really am. But Kaitlyn... she was such a big part of my life. It’s hard to just... erase that.”Melissa felt her heart sink. Though sh
Chapter 115“There’s something I’ve been meaning to say for a while now,” Melissa began, her voice shaking slightly. “I know things between us haven’t been... easy.”Michael set down his wine glass, turning to face her, fully curious at what was bothering her so much that she was struggling to say. “What do you mean?” he asked. He had been through enough drama lately, and the last thing he needed was more, at least not today.Melissa looked away, her fingers tapping nervously on her knees. She wasn’t sure how to begin or if she should even say it, but she knew she had to. “I think,” she started, “we’ve been avoiding the real issues between us. The truth is... ever since Kaitlyn...” She hesitated as she saw the tension and anger in Michael’s eyes at the mention of her name.Michael interrupted her with a sharp tone. “This again? Melissa, for God’s sake, how many times are you going to bring up Kaitlyn? She’s not the problem. We are.”Melissa bristled at his words, feeling her frustrati
Chapter 114Estefan Penthouse Kaitlyn stirred awake as the early morning light flowed through the curtains, giving a warm glow over Estefan's bedroom. Her mind was still foggy, but as she blinked herself awake, the events of the previous night came flooding back. She had once again found herself in Estefan’s arms and in his bed, after their return from the glamorous launching gala. The intensity of their connection, the way their lips found each other, how their bodies intertwined, and the emotions that followed were still fresh in her mind. She buried her face deeper into the blanket, feeling embarrassed yet excited as the memories replayed in her mind.After lying still for a while, Kaitlyn decided she needed to get up. Slowly, she tried to inch her way out of the bed, careful not to disturb Estefan. But just as she was about to slip out, she felt his arm tighten around her waist, pulling her closer. She frozen, thinking he might wake up, but when his grip loosened slightly, she re
Chapter 113The crowd’s whispers filled the grand hall as Estefan and Kaitlyn made their way toward the stage. Their striking entrance had left an indelible mark on the room. All eyes were on the power couple as they walked magnetically full of radiant and effortless grace that demanded attention.Kaitlyn tried to steady her nerves, aware of the scrutinizing gaze of the audience. Though she was used to being the center of attention, the significance of tonight, coupled with Estefan’s bold move to escort her publicly, had made her emotions swell. He hadn’t told her he was going to walk her.She couldn’t deny the comfort she felt as she felt his warm hand resting lightly on her back, guiding her forward. She had been avoiding him lately since the passionate night they shared together and couldn’t believe he would be there for her tonight.Estefan leaned in as they approached the stage and said in a low and intimate whisper. “You’re doing great, Mi Reina. This is your night, and I wouldn
Chapter 112The next morning at the hospital, Melissa was lying in bed; she hadn’t sustained any physical injuries from the accident, but the shock of the impact was still taking a toll on her. Both Michael and Melissa shared a private room in the hospital because of Melissa's status as a high-class model; the tension between her and Michael was still there. Vanessa sat beside her, too focused on slicing the fruit she had brought with her earlier; she was trying to distract herself from an uncomfortable situation in the room.Michael, meanwhile, was seated on his bed; his arm was bandaged and there were a few visible bruises on the side of his head. His friends had come to check on him immediately; they had received the news. They chatted together, but Michael’s mind was elsewhere. His eyes darting between Melissa and the door, nervous about the potential fallout of last night’s crash, and more so, the aftermath of his encounter with Kaitlyn from the night before was still much there.
Chapter 111As Melissa stood outside the hotel, grumbling under her breath, she tapped her foot impatiently, glaring at the valet. Her frustration was bubbling over, and she let it all out on Michael as soon as they got in the car."I can’t believe you’re still chasing after Kaitlyn like some love-struck puppy, even after she’s married," she spat in anger. "You’re pathetic, Michael. She doesn’t want you, and she never will. You’re nothing but a puppet, her puppet!"Michael kept his eyes on the road, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other propped on the window, supporting his head. His mind was far from Melissa’s insults. He was deep in thought, replaying the evening’s events in his head. The last time he had a confrontation with Kaitlyn, Estefan had scheduled an emergency inspection at the subsidiary division he was managing and didn’t later show up as he had scheduled, which he believes was a clear message of warning. Michael had brushed it off then, but tonight... tonight,
Chapter 110Before anyone could dwell too much on the unease, the lights dimmed as the moderator returned to the stage, signaling the next phase of the evening. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the grand toast to the future of Salvatore Group. Please raise your glasses as we celebrate the legacy and the bright future ahead.”Glasses clinked all around, and Estefan’s arm tightened around Kaitlyn’s waist as they stood together, lifting their glasses in unison with the room. The atmosphere shifted to one of celebration, and Kaitlyn allowed herself to relax a little, the earlier confrontation fading as she focused on the positive energy around them.Adrian was occasionally stealing glances at Estefan and Kaitlyn, his mind still processing everything. He hadn’t missed the brief tension that had unfolded earlier when they returned from wherever they had been. His sharp eyes moved toward Melissa, who was seated with Michael now, her face set in a smug, satisfied expression. She had clear
Chapter 109Kaitlyn squared her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated by Melissa’s malicious smirk. “Steal your husband?” she said slowly; her voice was firm and clear. “Let me make one thing very clear, Melissa; I don’t want Michael. I never did, and I never will. So, don’t make this about me trying to take something that isn’t even worth having.”A huge blow was given to Melissa's face as her smirk faded at Kaitlyn’s words. Melissa narrowed her eyes dangerously as she opened her mouth to retort, but Kaitlyn wasn’t finished.“You might want to ask yourself why your husband has been lurking around me instead of standing by your side tonight,” Kaitlyn added coldly. “I didn’t seek him out. He’s the one who can’t seem to let go of the past.”Michael flinched, caught in the crossfire, but he still didn’t speak. His guilt was written all over his face, and Melissa saw it. She knew Kaitlyn would never approach Michael first, but she couldn’t admit that to Kaitlyn.“Oh, please,” Melissa snee