Kaitlyn's nerves were still on edge from the dinner with Estefan's parents the night before. The tension in the Salvatore household had been palpable, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being tested, scrutinized with every word she spoke and every move she made.As she sat at the vanity in her apartment, brushing her hair, her mind wandered back to the previous evening. Isabella's probing questions, Robert's intense gaze, and the subtle yet unmistakable tension between father and son; it was all flowing in her mind like a storm she couldn’t escape.Today, however, was different. Estefan had mentioned something about introducing her to a few more family traditions, things she needed to understand before the marriage could proceed. But the details had been vague, and that made her uneasy. What more could she need to know?A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Kaitlyn turned to see Sarah entering the room with a smile, a welcome distraction from her flow of thoughts.
Chapter 15The restaurant Estefan had chosen was one of the most exclusive in Los Angeles. Kaitlyn had never even heard of it, let alone dined there. As she stepped inside, the beauty of the place struck her—the dim lighting, the soft music, the discreet yet attentive service. It was a world far from her own.Estefan was already seated at a secluded table in the back, his eyes fixed on her as she approached. He stood as she neared, offering a smile that was both charming and calculating."You look stunning," he said, as he stood up and pulled out her chair."Thank you," Kaitlyn replied, sitting down.“I am so sorry I could not come pick you up.”“It’s okay; I could manage myself, and it was no trouble.” Estefan nodded.“That is good to know.”"This place is incredible."Estefan chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "I thought it would be appropriate for the occasion.""And what occasion is that?" Kaitlyn asked, trying to keep her tone light."The beginning of our partnership," Estefa
Chapter 16Kaitlyn sat at her kitchen table the next morning, staring blankly at the cup of coffee in her hands and replaying recent events over and over in her mind. She had signed the contract, agreed to this bizarre arrangement, and now she was about to be publicly declared as the fiancée of Estefan Salvatore, a man who had already begun to change her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined.Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a message from Estefan:“Car will be there in 30 minutes. Be ready.”Kaitlyn took a deep breath and set down her cup. There was no time for secondguessing. She quickly dressed in a sleek, form-fitting dress that Estefan had sent over earlier that morning; it was something elegant but not overly formal. She paired it with simple jewelry, trying to balance sophistication with her usual style. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard, but she also didn’t want to embarrass Estefan in front of the media and the world.When the car a
Chapter 17Kaitlyn sat in the back of the sleek, black car as it sped through the streets of Los Angeles, her mind racing as fast as the scenery outside.The car came to a stop in front of Estefan's penthouse. Kaitlyn's stomach fluttered with a mix of anxiety and excitement as the driver opened the door for her. She stepped out, her heels clicking against the polished marble of the grand entrance.As she made her way inside, she was greeted by the same beautiful serene she was already getting used to, offering a breathtaking view of the city.Estefan was waiting for her in the living room, looking as composed and confident as ever. He rose to greet her, a warm smile on his face that made her heart skip a beat. "Kaitlyn," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I'm glad you came."Kaitlyn forced a smile, trying to mask her unease. “I’m here, aren’t I?” she replied, her tone light but with an underlying tension.Estefan’s smil
Chapter 18Kaitlyn woke up with a mix of exhilaration and dread. The world now knew about her engagement to Estefan Salvatore, and with it came a new set of challenges and expectations. Yet, a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling of unreality that clung to the situation.As she got ready for the day, her mind raced with the implications of their engagement. The wedding planning would be a monumental task, and the public eye would be on them every step of the way. She wondered how she would balance her desire for a private celebration with the demands of their public image.Estefan arrived at her apartment shortly after, his presence filling the room with an aura of calm confidence. “Morning,” he greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes scanning her with approval.Kaitlyn returned the smile, though her heart was pounding. “Morning,” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.“I’ve already started planning the engagement party,” Estefan announced, taking a seat on the sofa. “I will be ha
Chapter 19Michael found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on his work in the wake of Kaitlyn’s engagement. Every time he glanced at his computer screen, a vision of her smiling face with Estefan flashed before his eyes. The once familiar office environment now felt like a prison.Melissa had noticed the changes in her husband and the distance it had caused in their relationship. They both have been avoiding confronting the issues. Melissa knew this was all about Kailyn's engagement to Estefan, and she had masked her own emotions so she could comfort Michael and not destroy the marriage she had lobbied for. She also knows that any nagging from her will only push Michael further away from her.One evening after Michael had returned from work as usual, he was partially ignoring her existence. She decided to approach him. As she opened their bedroom door, Melissa, sensing his distress, tried her best to offer support. “I know this is hard for you, Michael,” she said, her voice sof
Chapter 20The evening arrived with a sense of anticipation. Kaitlyn stood in front of the mirror in her suite, feeling a mix of emotions as she adjusted the delicate strap of her deep emerald green dress, which perfectly complemented her features.The gown hugged her figure perfectly; it was simple yet elegant, a reflection of her own natural beauty. It was designed to make her look every bit the part of Estefan Salvatore’s fiancée. Her hair was styled in soft waves that cascaded down her back, and the diamond necklace Estefan had given her sparkled as she held it in her hands, staring at it.Despite the outward appearance, Kaitlyn couldn’t shake the anxiety that gripped her. This was it—the moment the world would see her as Estefan’s bride-to-be. The thought of Michael and Melissa seeing her in this new role filled her with both satisfaction and dread. She had moved on, found something or someone better, but the wounds they had inflicted were still fresh, and the thought of confront
Chapter 21Suddenly, Kaitlyn spotted Michael and Melissa arriving at the party. They were dressed to impress. Kaitlyn’s heart skipped a beat as she watched them mingle with the crowd, their eyes darting around the room, taking in every detail.It was clear that they were there to observe, to analyze, and perhaps to criticize. Kaitlyn felt a surge of determination. She would not let them ruin her night. She would show them that she had moved on and that she was happier than ever before.An invite was sent to Michael as one of the managers of a subsidiary group of the Salvatore Empire. But Kaitlyn never expected they would honor the invitation, so this came as a shock to her. Besides, Melissa was also busy planning their own party for whatever occasion Kaitlyn didn’t want to know about.However, Kaitlyn couldn’t deny the fact that the sight of them was like a punch to the gut. Michael looked almost the same, though there was a tension in his posture she hadn’t noticed before. Melissa, o