Chapter 5

Alena's parents were not going to the gala because they had a meeting with some important people regarding business. So, she would be alone with Edmund.  

She finished curling her long hair into big, loose curls and doing her makeup. Looking at the time, Fern came to help her put on her dress.  

Fern had been working for them for years. Her sister, Avrielle, was only two years old when their father hired Fern. But soon, Fern would stop working for them because she was turning sixty-five in a couple of months, and her father thought it would be better for her to retire and focus on her family and grandchildren.  

Alena put on her earrings and stood in front of the mirror to check her reflection. Grinning, satisfied with how she looked, she took a selfie and posted it.  

Just then, the doorbell rang.  

It must be Edmund.  

Would he like her dress? Oh my God, why was she so nervous around him?  

She walked into the living room and saw him standing in front of the big glass door, looking out at the garden. She could only see his back. He hadn’t noticed her, and she didn’t know what to do.  

Taking a breath, she cleared her throat. He turned around slowly to face her.  

"You look perfect," he said, smirking as he walked toward her. He placed one arm around her waist and pulled her close. His gaze locked onto hers as he ran his knuckles softly down her cheek, then moved to her red-painted lips.  

"You don't know how bad I want to kiss you..." he murmured, his eyes flickering between her lips and her eyes as he pulled her even closer.  

She gulped.  

Oh my God...  

Could she just die right now?  

No!  

Okay.  

"Let's go." He released her and placed a hand on her lower back as they headed to the car.  

The drive was silent. She lowered her gaze to her engagement ring. Willa had given it to her early that morning, but it was Edmund who had brought it.  

It was a big diamond. It was beautiful. But she was still disappointed that it wasn’t for love.  

"You know, our marriage may be arranged, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. Like I said before, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to marry you—because I am a man, and I have already been married."  

He had been married?! To whom? And why weren’t they together anymore?  

She wanted to ask but chose not to.  

They got out of the car, and he took her hand as they walked inside. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her closer.  

"Cardinal!" a loud voice called out. They turned to see a man in his forties with a young woman beside him. The woman wore heavy makeup—almost like a mask—and a dress that barely covered anything.  

"Rich," Edmund greeted him, shaking his hand. His cold stare was back, his intimidating presence unmistakable.  

Rich gave him a nod before his eyes landed on Alena, looking at her with admiration. "And who is this beautiful lady?" he asked, still staring.  

Edmund’s grip on her waist tightened.  

"This is Alena Nicole Perez Sandoval, my soon-to-be wife," Edmund said in a hard tone.  

He knew her full name...  

The woman beside Rich didn’t seem to like that, judging by the glare Alena could feel burning into her. Not that she cared—she didn’t even know her.  

"Well, nice to meet you, Alena. And congratulations," Rich said, now looking back at Edmund, whose jaw was clenched, his expression unreadable.  

"If you'll excuse us, I’d like to show my fiancée the paintings." Without waiting for a response, Edmund nodded and led Alena away.  

Well, that was rude.  

They entered a large room filled with paintings and photographs. There were people inside, some staring at them with wide eyes and open mouths, their expressions ranging from shock to curiosity. Some women gawked at Edmund, while others threw glances her way. She ignored them all.  

The paintings were stunning. She stared at them in awe until one in particular caught her eye—a breathtaking image of Santorini. Gasping, she walked toward it, unconsciously leaving Edmund behind. She had always wanted to go to Greece just to see it in person.  

She felt Edmund step close behind her.  

"Do you like it?" he asked, his warm breath brushing against her neck.  

"I love it. This place is beautiful."  

"Have you ever been there?"  

"No, but I hope I’ll get the chance someday. I’ve always wanted to go," she admitted.  

He moved next to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek.  

"Then I'll take you," he declared. "But for now, we should join my family's table."  

She nodded.  

They were about to enter the banquet hall when a woman's voice stopped them.  

"Not so fast, Edmund."  

Edmund tensed beside her.  

She turned around to see a beautiful woman with blonde hair and hazel eyes, wearing a blue satin dress.  

The woman looked at Alena coldly, and Alena met her gaze without an ounce of intimidation.  

"Who are you?" the woman asked, staring straight at her.  

Alena was about to introduce herself when Edmund cut in.  

"She doesn’t need to answer your question. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’d like to go to my family’s table."  

Who was this woman?  

"Come on," the woman scoffed. "You think I didn’t notice the engagement ring on her finger? Everyone here has been talking about Edmund Cardinal’s fiancée." She snapped, stepping closer.  

Edmund immediately moved, shielding Alena behind his back as he faced the woman head-on.  

"What do you want, Irina?"  

Irina?  

"I just wanted to say hello," Irina replied with a saccharine smile. "Is this how I’m greeted now? You sure got over me quickly."  

Got over her quickly?  

Irina’s gaze flickered to Alena's confused expression before shifting back to Edmund with a smirk.  

"After all," she said, "we were married for five years."  

Realization hit Alena like a truck.  

Her breath caught as she turned to Edmund, whose jaw was clenched, his cold stare fixed on his ex-wife.