As Lawson dragged Diane out of the hospital, he tried to keep his composure as much as possible. "Lawson, what's wrong with you?" Diane exclaimed as she struggled to keep up with his pace.Lawson didn't respond, his jaw clenched in anger.As if dealing with Diane's tantrums wasn't enough, he now had the nerve of a strange woman to contend with—a woman who had looked at him with such disdain, such hostility, that it still lingered in his mind. He shook his head, chuckling wryly to himself.What was it about today? Was he wearing a sign that said "kick me"?He didn't even have enough time to fume from his argument with Diane. She had refused to consider surrogacy, and Lawson felt like she was being unreasonable.Wasn't she desperate to have a child after losing her baby two years ago? It seemed like she was still blaming him for the loss, and her daily tantrums were taking a toll on him. Having forced him to the hospital for a fertility check, and with the doctor giving them a better su
*A package will arrive in a few minutes. They are everything you'll need for the party. I'll have my driver come pick you up. That's if you change your mind, of course.*Camila rolled her eyes, shoving the phone face down on the nightstand. He just wouldn't give up. A party in Mexico was the last thing she wanted. She needed to leave, to put as much distance as possible between herself and this place, between herself and… him.But every hour, there's a new text message from Cole, persistent and irritating.Then, another vibration. She picked up her phone, expecting another message from Cole. But it wasn’t him this time. Just a time reminder. She looked at the time and realized she had been in the hotel room for an hour now. She had settled in for the day, planning to rest before her flight back to Australia.She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Right from the moment she checked into the hotel, Cole’s words had been a mantra, relentless in her head: "You're not over him, Camil
As the car came to a smooth stop, Camila stepped out onto the sleek, wooden dock. Before her, the majestic yacht rose from the water, its decks glowing with a mesmerizing display of lights. A little too dramatic for her liking. But it was something Cole would do—extravagant, attention-grabbing, and utterly over-the-top. It was a reflection of his personality, and Camila couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of it all. The evening air was alive with the soft hum of music and the gentle lapping of waves against the hull.Camila's gaze swept across the scene, and she couldn't deny the slight excitement. It all felt like a fairytale ball. Her dress, a stunning blue cocktail gown, sparkled with intricate, glittering details that caught the light as she moved. It hugged her curves perfectly, and she was beginning to wonder if Cole and Rachel had been keeping track of her measurements over the years.Classic Cole.As she made her way towards the entrance, she caught sight of Cole, deck
Camila's smile disappeared as she bit her lips, resisting the urge to retort. She took a slow, deliberate breath, reminding herself that she was in a public setting, and that she couldn't afford to lose control.She well knew what he was hinting at."Indeed," she said, her voice cool though edged with steel. "Some things never change."She didn't elaborate, leaving the statement hanging in the air, a subtle challenge to Antonio.She wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face.She turned to Cole, her smile returning, though it was now a brittle, almost artificial thing. "Cole, I'll—""Excuse me for a minute," Cole said, his eyes drifting somewhere else. "I need to go take care of something. You two have fun." He nodded at Antonio and Camila, his smile perfunctory, before turning and walking away.Camila's eyes narrowed, her gaze following Cole's retreating back, the silence between them now charged with a different kind of tension. Cole's sudden departure felt calculated, like a delib
"I made it clear to you, Emily. Stay away from me," Antonio hissed, his voice a low growl that echoed in the relative quiet of the outer deck. He couldn't believe she'd followed him, especially here, to Cole's party. "And I made it clear to you, Antonio, that I don't take orders." Emily stepped closer, her faces inches from his "You can't just ignore me.""This isn't the time or place, Emily." He glanced back at the bar, a flicker of unease in his eyes. He didn't want Camila or anyone to know about his complicated past with Emily. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, especially not tonight. Emily glance at bar and back at Antonio. "Or is it because you're with someone else? That woman at the bar..." she chuckle like she had just piece up the puzzle. "So she's my replacement....I get it now."Antonio inhaled sharply too exasperated to resort. But as he looked into Emily's eyes, he noticed something he hadn't seen before - fear, insecurity. She's slipping. Could he use this?
Before Camila could react, he leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, just beside her ear.His eyes, however, never left Emily. He held her gaze like a silent challenge a subtle smirk playing on his lips. He could see the flicker of hurt and anger in Emily's eyes He knew he was pushing her buttons, but he couldn't stop now.She pushed him to ths point. Now he will have to fight fire with fire.Camila's quickly step back, creating some distance between them. "What was...that for.""Just a friendly greeting, Camila," he said, his voice low and smooth, but with an undercurrent of insincerity.Camila's search Antonio's face for a hidden meaning. She didn't buy his explanation. "Friendly?" She chuckled in disbelief. "You must be out of your mind."Antonio smirked. "You've been away from Mexico so long that you forgot that a kiss on the cheek is just a friendly greeting."Camila eyes him wearily and without a word she walked away. But she noticed--Antonio smirk has disappeared
"She's gone," Cole smiled. "She left the party a while ago."Antonio's gaze lingered on Cole's face, as if searching for more information. "Where did she... go?" Cole shrugged, his expression neutral. "Back to her hotel, I assume. She said she was tired."Antonio's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did she say anything else?" Cole went silent for a moment, then he stepped closer. "What's your interest in Camila, Antonio?"Antonio's smile was quick and easy. "Just making conversation, Cole. I'm just curious about the guest of honor."Cole's gaze lingered on Antonio's face as if trying to see through him. But all he saw was the same charming, polished exterior that Antonio always presented."I'll let you get back to your guests," Antonio said, with a quick glance at the room once more. Cole walked past him, but Antonio paused in the hallway, just enough to keep Cole within his peripheral vision. He watched as Cole moved through the remaining guests, his smile strained, his eyes distant.He re
Antonio took a sip of his drink, staring into space, replaying the events of the night.The risk he had taken with Camila, the plan... he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.He knew it was manipulative, even cruel. But Emily had pushed him too far. She had disrupted his life, making him lose his mind; now it had to stop.He swirled the remaining liquid in his glass, the ice clinking softly. He needed to be careful, strategic. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Emily was unpredictable, and Camila… well, that one was hard to read, probably keeping a big secret—one he'd like to explore.Just as he was about to pour himself another drink, his phone rang. He answered, hearing Bruno's voice on the other end."Sir, I've found her... Camila Lopez is staying at your hotel."Antonio's eyes narrowed. "What about the background check?""It's still in progress, sir," Bruno replied. "But I should have everything you need within the next few hours."Antonio nodded, his mind racing wi
Antonio didn't say a word. What could he say? He had exhausted every word left in him. He just stared at the ruined documents, his grip on Emily's arm tightening, but eventually, it got loose. He released her arm, watching the smirk on Emily's face grow wider, almost reaching her ears. This time, she wasn't stumbling off balance or slurring or giggling. Just the sheer triumph of one that tells you, "I was playing all along, just like I always do." Antonio stormed out of the suite, slamming the door behind him with a loud crash. The audacity. Emily had the audacity, pouring whiskey on the divorce papers like that. It was a childish, spiteful move, and it only fueled his determination to be done with her once and for all. Any method, any tactic—hell, he’d try them all. She will have to sign those divorce papers one way or another. He burst through the hotel lobby, not even noticing the people around him as he pulled out his phone to call his driver. "I'll be outside in two mi
Emily sat opposite Antonio, legs crossed, her eyes squinting as if she were trying to figure out what he was hiding under his clothes.It had been like this for the past few minutes since he walked into her suite.A staring match in the suffocating silence.Finally, Emily grew bored with the impasse. She stood up lazily, walking over to the mini bar."What do you want, Antonio? I know you didn't come here for chit-chat..." She paused, turning to him, her fingers trailing down from her cleavage to her abdomen. "Or this."Antonio's eyes wandered over her lips, the way she bit them, licking them."In your dreams." He scoffed, his face twisted in disgust. "That tired little performance? The cheap theatrics?" He gave a short, humorless laugh. "It might have worked once, twice even. But not anymore."He leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her hand hover over the whiskey."I see you now, Emily. Crystal clear. The games, the strings you pulled to get into my
"Sassy," Antonio muttered, watching the way Camila's hips swayed as she walked away. Her heels clicked on the floor, making a sharp sound with every step.He picked up the glass of water the waitress had placed on the table and took a long sip.Camila was like a fascinating puzzle, all sharp-tongued and fiery retorts. But there was something far more interesting, and he found himself increasingly drawn to uncovering it.He leaned back in his chair, watching her completely disappear. He hadn't intended to startle her so much, but her reaction... well, it was over the top, especially after the mention of 'face.'That secret wouldn't remain uncovered for long."Sir, is there something else you'd like to order?" the waitress, still standing, asked, but Antonio waved a dismissive hand."No, thank you. Just the water is fine for now."He watched the waitress retreat, his gaze drifting idly to the next table. And that's when he saw 'her.'Emily.Seated idly, stirring a drink—when their eyes
"Can I take your order, ma'am?" the waitress asked, her pen poised over the notepad.Camila glanced at the menu, the vibrant pictures of Mexican dishes momentarily distracting her from the gnawing knot in her stomach. "I'll have the chicken enchiladas, please," she said, managing a small, polite smile. "And a large iced tea."It was noon, exactly fifteen hours since the party. Her phone lay face down on the table, a silent reminder of her usual loneliness, which now somehow felt suffocating. Probably because she was still in Mexico.She hadn't brought herself to call Cole yet about the change of plans. And Cole... well, Cole seemed to have vanished. No calls, no texts, nothing. It was as if she'd been completely erased from his radar.She watched the waitress walk away, a sigh escaping her lips. She felt miserable at the moment, and she couldn't explain why."Can I join you?"That voice. That annoyingly familiar voice.Camila's eyes shot up, and instantly her face turned sour."You. A
Antonio took a sip of his drink, staring into space, replaying the events of the night.The risk he had taken with Camila, the plan... he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.He knew it was manipulative, even cruel. But Emily had pushed him too far. She had disrupted his life, making him lose his mind; now it had to stop.He swirled the remaining liquid in his glass, the ice clinking softly. He needed to be careful, strategic. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Emily was unpredictable, and Camila… well, that one was hard to read, probably keeping a big secret—one he'd like to explore.Just as he was about to pour himself another drink, his phone rang. He answered, hearing Bruno's voice on the other end."Sir, I've found her... Camila Lopez is staying at your hotel."Antonio's eyes narrowed. "What about the background check?""It's still in progress, sir," Bruno replied. "But I should have everything you need within the next few hours."Antonio nodded, his mind racing wi
"She's gone," Cole smiled. "She left the party a while ago."Antonio's gaze lingered on Cole's face, as if searching for more information. "Where did she... go?" Cole shrugged, his expression neutral. "Back to her hotel, I assume. She said she was tired."Antonio's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did she say anything else?" Cole went silent for a moment, then he stepped closer. "What's your interest in Camila, Antonio?"Antonio's smile was quick and easy. "Just making conversation, Cole. I'm just curious about the guest of honor."Cole's gaze lingered on Antonio's face as if trying to see through him. But all he saw was the same charming, polished exterior that Antonio always presented."I'll let you get back to your guests," Antonio said, with a quick glance at the room once more. Cole walked past him, but Antonio paused in the hallway, just enough to keep Cole within his peripheral vision. He watched as Cole moved through the remaining guests, his smile strained, his eyes distant.He re
Before Camila could react, he leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, just beside her ear.His eyes, however, never left Emily. He held her gaze like a silent challenge a subtle smirk playing on his lips. He could see the flicker of hurt and anger in Emily's eyes He knew he was pushing her buttons, but he couldn't stop now.She pushed him to ths point. Now he will have to fight fire with fire.Camila's quickly step back, creating some distance between them. "What was...that for.""Just a friendly greeting, Camila," he said, his voice low and smooth, but with an undercurrent of insincerity.Camila's search Antonio's face for a hidden meaning. She didn't buy his explanation. "Friendly?" She chuckled in disbelief. "You must be out of your mind."Antonio smirked. "You've been away from Mexico so long that you forgot that a kiss on the cheek is just a friendly greeting."Camila eyes him wearily and without a word she walked away. But she noticed--Antonio smirk has disappeared
"I made it clear to you, Emily. Stay away from me," Antonio hissed, his voice a low growl that echoed in the relative quiet of the outer deck. He couldn't believe she'd followed him, especially here, to Cole's party. "And I made it clear to you, Antonio, that I don't take orders." Emily stepped closer, her faces inches from his "You can't just ignore me.""This isn't the time or place, Emily." He glanced back at the bar, a flicker of unease in his eyes. He didn't want Camila or anyone to know about his complicated past with Emily. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, especially not tonight. Emily glance at bar and back at Antonio. "Or is it because you're with someone else? That woman at the bar..." she chuckle like she had just piece up the puzzle. "So she's my replacement....I get it now."Antonio inhaled sharply too exasperated to resort. But as he looked into Emily's eyes, he noticed something he hadn't seen before - fear, insecurity. She's slipping. Could he use this?
Camila's smile disappeared as she bit her lips, resisting the urge to retort. She took a slow, deliberate breath, reminding herself that she was in a public setting, and that she couldn't afford to lose control.She well knew what he was hinting at."Indeed," she said, her voice cool though edged with steel. "Some things never change."She didn't elaborate, leaving the statement hanging in the air, a subtle challenge to Antonio.She wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face.She turned to Cole, her smile returning, though it was now a brittle, almost artificial thing. "Cole, I'll—""Excuse me for a minute," Cole said, his eyes drifting somewhere else. "I need to go take care of something. You two have fun." He nodded at Antonio and Camila, his smile perfunctory, before turning and walking away.Camila's eyes narrowed, her gaze following Cole's retreating back, the silence between them now charged with a different kind of tension. Cole's sudden departure felt calculated, like a delib