Chapter 67A few days later, Melissa decided to distract herself by going on a shopping spree. She invited Vanessa, who shared her interest in luxury and gossip. The two women met at one of the city’s most exclusive shopping malls, a place where only the elite could afford to spend their afternoons.The mall was a well-laid, elegant space filled with high-end boutiques and designer stores. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and the marble floors shine under the soft lighting. It was a place where the wealthy came to indulge, and Melissa was no exception. She had made her way to this phase of her life to enjoy the luxury it brings.“Vanessa, darling,” Melissa greeted her friend with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m so glad you could join me. I needed a break from all the madness.”Vanessa, who had perfectly styled hair and was a fashionista that could rival any fashion icon, smiled back. “Of course, Melissa. I wouldn’t miss it. Besides, we could both use a little
Chapter 68Back at the Salvatore estate, the mood was much more lively. Grandma Elena was still basking in the success of the charity event, her heart warmed by the positive reception it had received. Estefan had cleared his schedule to spend time with Kaitlyn one afternoon, and the two of them were enjoying a rare moment of peace, lounging in the garden with cups of tea.Kaitlyn was smiling, her face glowing with the satisfaction of a job well done. She had worked hard on the event, and seeing how much it had meant to Grandma Elena had made it all worthwhile.“Grandma called earlier today,” Estefan paused to study Kaitlyn's reaction. “She still praises you for doing an amazing job,” Estefan said, reaching over to take her hand. “I’m really proud of you.”Kaitlyn’s smile widened as she tried to hide her shock at how he had held her hands. She tried to slowly retrieve her hands, but Estefan held them tighter, and she slowly relaxed as she sque
Chapter 69Kaitlyn paused mid-step, a surge of resolve tightening her chest. Michael’s words echoed in her ears, the venom in his voice clear—he was convinced their marriage was a sham. For a fleeting second, she considered ignoring him, walking away, and letting him stew in his own bitterness. But something inside her; the part that had spent months reclaiming her self-worth, demanded she stand her ground.Slowly, she turned back to face Michael, her eyes sharp with confidence. “You think you know me, Michael? That I’m incapable of moving on? That I can’t love anyone but you?” She stepped closer, her chin held high, her tone firm. “Well, let me clear something up for you; I love Estefan.”The words hit Michael like a physical blow, his expression shifting as her declaration cut deep within him. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure, but the hurt in his eyes was undeniable.Kai
Chapter 70Melissa’s fingers tightened around the handles of her shopping bags as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes. Hidden behind one of the mall’s sleek columns, she had a perfect view of Michael and Kaitlyn. She couldn’t believe it. Michael, her husband, the man she had fought tooth and nail to steal from Kaitlyn, was standing there, practically begging for his ex-fiancée’s forgiveness. The look of desperation on his face was unmistakable, and every word they exchanged was like a slap to her face.Vanessa, who had just come out of one of the shops, joined Melissa standing beside her, oblivious to the turmoil building within Melissa. “Hey, you good? You’ve been staring at them for a while,” Vanessa whispered, nudging her friend’s arm. Vanessa had only witnessed part of their interactions.Melissa didn’t respond. She felt her pulse quicken as she watched Kaitlyn walk away, her bodyguards closing in around her as if she were some queen. Michael stood there, alone, defeated,
Chapter 71Vanessa stood awkwardly at the door, holding a few of Melissa’s shopping bags that she had mistakenly taken with her. The air in the room was thick with tension, and she knew instantly she had walked in on something she wasn’t supposed to witness. Michael was pacing, his face flushed with anger, while Melissa stood a few feet away, arms crossed and her eyes blazing with fire.“I, uh… I think I grabbed some of your stuff by accident,” Vanessa mumbled, holding up the bags. Her voice felt out of place in the charged atmosphere.Melissa barely acknowledged her, her attention fixed on Michael, who looked like he was ready to explode. The silence that followed was deafening, and Vanessa shifted uncomfortably, regretting her decision to come back.Michael’s eyes darkened as he took a deep breath. “We’re not done here,” he muttered, glancing at Melissa one last time before grabbing his jacket from the back of a chair and storming out of the house, the door slamming behind him with
Chapter 72Estefan studied Kaitlyn, her hesitation still in the air. He could feel the tightness in his chest as the silence stretched between them. Part of him wanted to press her further, to demand she tell him the truth about her interaction with Michael. But as he gazed at her, a softer side took over. The tension in the dining room was becoming unbearable, and he didn’t want to make things worse.With a slight smile, he waved his hand, brushing off the question as if it were unimportant. “Forget it,” he said lightly, his tone changing. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Let’s just enjoy dinner.”Kaitlyn blinked, surprised by his sudden shift in mood. She could sense a weight lifting off her shoulders, relief flooding her chest. She offered a tentative smile, thankful that he wasn’t pushing the issue. The tension in the air seemed to ease, even if only slightly.“Yeah, you’re right,” she said, taking a small bite of her food. “No need to dwell on it.”Estefan nodded, though his mind was far
Chapter 73Estefan’s phone buzzed loudly again as the tension between him and Kaitlyn reached its peak. He glanced at the screen again and saw it was a call coming in, which he knew was urgent with the message he had just received. For a brief moment, he hesitated.“I’m sorry, I have to take this,” Estefan muttered, excusing himself from the dining table.Kaitlyn felt a wave of relief wash over her. As Estefan left the room, she let out a quiet breath, thankful for the distraction. The tension from earlier had been almost unbearable; she hadn’t been prepared for his probing questions just as he had done the previous night, or the intensity of his gaze.The brief escape gave her the time she needed to regain her composure and gather her thoughts together as she finished her meal alone.For the rest of the evening, Estefan was busy, dealing with one business issue after another. Kaitlyn didn’t mind. In fact, she welcomed it. The last thing she wanted was for him to press further about h
Chapter 74Michael tried to mask his concern, but it was clear that the news had troubled him. He rubbed his temples, trying to steady his thoughts. The inspection could spell trouble, especially given his current state of disarray.“What are we going to do?” Michael asked in a low voice.Jessica looked at him sympathetically. “We need to be prepared. Mr. Salvatore’s visit could be significant, and we need to ensure everything is in order before he arrives.”Michael nodded; his stress was beginning to show on his face. “Okay, provide a report of all the pending correspondence.” His assistant acknowledged the request before she left.Michael sat at his desk, staring blankly at the email announcing Estefan’s upcoming visit. The surprise inspection in three days had rattled him more than he cared to admit. He was used to running things at his own pace—efficiently enough, but he hadn’t been as sharp lately, and now he was paying for it.“Why now?” he muttered, running his hands through hi