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104: A Chance Encounter
Last Updated:
2025-01-26 16:11:57
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Estella POVI opened the door to find Elliot standing there, looking… ridiculous. My eyes trailed over his outfit—thick boots, thermal pants, and a heavy jacket that seemed suited for climbing Mount Everest. A knit beanie rested crookedly on his blonde head, making his sharp features stand out even more.“What are you wearing?” I asked, my eyebrows shooting up.He gave me a grin that bordered on mischievous. “What you’re wearing won’t do,” he said, gesturing to my blazer and slacks.I glanced down at myself, confused. “What’s wrong with this? I thought we were going over a contract, not… whatever this is.”“Good thing I thought ahead,” he replied, holding up a plain brown paper bag. He shoved it toward me.I peeked inside, and my confusion only deepened. Inside were layers of clothing—thick thermal leggings, a fitted fleece jacket, gloves, and a scarf. “Elliot,” I started, my voice filled with suspicion, “what are you planning? This is hardly what to wear for business.”“You’ll see,”
Last Updated : 2025-01-26Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak Chapter 106: The Act That Shouldn’t Have Happened
Estella POVThe trail was well-maintained, but the snow made it slippery. I was grateful for the hiking boots he’d provided as they gripped the ground securely. I trudged behind him, muttering curses under my breath.“Keep up, Estella,” he called over his shoulder, clearly amused.“Keep up?” I shot back. “I didn’t sign up for this.”“Be careful you can easily get lost. It is slippery and wet from the snow so it is dangerous.”By the time we reached the top of the trail, I was out of breath, my cheeks red from the cold. But when I saw the view, my complaints died in my throat. My legs were screaming, but the view at the top was worth it. The city lay below us. The mountains stretched out in every direction, their peaks dusted with snow that sparkled in the sun. It was breathtaking.“You can stop pretending not to be impressed,” Elliot said beside me, his tone teasing.“Okay,” I admitted, “this is… impressive.”Elliot smiled, his gaze fixed on the view. “I thought you’d like it.”He sl
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak Chapter 107: Lost in the Woods
Estella POVI stumbled back a step, my boots sliding slightly against the uneven rock beneath me. My heart was pounding in my chest, though not from the altitude. I froze, unable to comprehend the sheer audacity of it. Then it hit me like a lightning strike.Elliot’s green eyes were still locked on mine, wide with shock as though he couldn’t believe what he’d just done.It wasn’t Alejandro’s stormy gray eyes staring back at me.I shoved him hard, my palms slamming into his chest with all the strength I could muster. “What the hell do you think you are doing?” I yelled, my voice raw with anger and disbelief.“Estella, I’m sorry.” he said quickly, hands raised defensively. “I lost control. I—”“You lost control?” I cut him off, stepping back, needing the space to breathe. “What the fuck, Elliot? You just kissed me! What part of that seemed like a good idea to you? You took advantage of me while I was vulnerable! How dare you?”He tried to speak, but I wasn’t finished.“I trusted you!”
Last Updated : 2025-01-27Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 108: Lost in the Cold
Estella POVThe snap of another branch startled me, and I spun around, heart hammering against my ribs. My breath hitched in the back of my throat, the sound bouncing off the trees around me.I squinted into the growing darkness, my eyes straining to find the source of the noise. The dark shadow darted past, and I let out a startled scream before realizing it was just a squirrel. A squirrel.My knees buckled, and I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heartbeat to slow. “Get a grip,” I muttered shakily. My voice sounded hollow, barely audible against the howling wind.I pulled my jacket tighter, but it didn’t help. I was still very cold.Okay, think. What do I do now?“What do I do now?” I whispered again, my voice breaking.I looked around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. It was useless. Every direction looked the same—dense trees and snow-covered ground.Maybe the mine workers would be leaving soon. Maybe I’d hear their trucks. Or maybe Elliot would realize I hadn’t made
Last Updated : 2025-01-28Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 109: Dead in the Cold
Estella POVI couldn’t feel anything except the cold—no, it wasn’t just cold anymore. I don’t feel anything again. I was numb. It was emptiness I feel. My body had surrendered moments ago.It wasn’t painful anymore. It was almost…peacefulSo this is what dying feels like.I couldn’t move. My legs were curled awkwardly beneath me, the snow surrounding and pushing up around my body like a grave already dug. I tried to breathe, but each inhale was like a dagger in my chest.Is it supposed to hurt this much?The sky above was gray, swirling with clouds that blurred and shifted like watercolors bleeding together. I’d never noticed how beautiful the sky could be, even in a storm. My lips twitched, or at least I thought they did. Was I smiling? Crying? I couldn’t tell anymore.They say your life flashes before your eyes when you’re about dying. Alejandro’s face was the only image that came to mine. His intense gray gaze, the way he looked at me, touched me, worshiped me. The way his jaw cle
Last Updated : 2025-01-28Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 109: After She Left
Alejandro POVI knew where she was the moment she left. Even before before her text lit up my phone—I need space—.I had been tracking her since she walked out of the house. Not because I didn’t trust her—I did. I just didn’t trust the world to keep her safe. After everything that had happened—being taken, attacked, and nearly killed—I’d taken precautions. The app I had made was custom-built, encrypted, and capable of tracking her phone even if it was off. I had this app made exclusively for us. As long as the device had been used in the last 24 hours and wasn’t wiped, it could be tracked.But I had never needed to check it ever since it was made. Not once. Until nowThe glowing blue dot on my screen, taking me through her day. She stopped at the lake first—her mother’s resting place. Then to Estrella Designs, likely trying to lose herself in work. And now, it stopped at the Halcyon Hotel.The Halcyon.My jaw tightened as I stared at her location. She wanted space, I understood that.
Last Updated : 2025-01-29Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 111: The Aftermath – A Long Night
Alejandro POVI didn’t moved from her side. Not once.She was laid in bed and wrapped in thick blankets, her skin still too cold, her breathing too shallow. The doctor had already come and gone, reassuring me that she was stable, that the hypothermia wasn’t severe enough to cause permanent damage. “She just needs warmth and more rest,” he’d said. As if that was supposed to make me feel better.Her lips were still pale. Her fingers barely curled around mine when I held them. She looked fragile.I sat beside her on the bed, gripping her hand, my thumb running over her knuckles absently. She hadn’t moved in hours. This was my fault. I should’ve gone after her sooner. I should’ve never let her out of my sight.I pushed back the image of finding her in the snow, barely breathing. My chest burned with frustration—at her, at myself, at everything.There was a soft knock on the door. I didn’t bother looking up.“Sir?” A hesitant voice. It was Mia. The damn maid—I’d almost forgotten she was
Last Updated : 2025-01-30Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 112: Fury Hits Harder
Estella’s POVMy body was weak, but I forced myself to keep standing. My knees were wobbling but I refused to let it show.Alejandro stood across from me, tense, his jaw locked so tight it could break. He looked like a man barely containing his rage.His chest rose and fell with heavy, uneven breaths, and I knew—knew—that he was still caught somewhere between anger and relief.But I was angry tooI lifted my chin, glaring at him.“I needed space,” I said. “I needed to fucking breathe, Alejandro. Because you don’t own me.”His jaw ticked, hands clenched into fists at his sides. Wrong thing to say“No,” he said, voice dangerously low. “But I protect you.”I laughed. A bitter, hollow sound.“Like how you protected me from Camila?” My voice dripped with venom. “From the world thinking our marriage is a joke?”He stilled.Something passed over his face, but it was gone too quickly to read.Good. Let it hurtI pushed forward, reckless with my anger.“You want to know why I was there?” I sa
Last Updated : 2025-01-30
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“Mamá,” she forced a laugh, shaking her head. “You’re being dramatic—”“You have one week to vacate this hotel,” Lucia cut her off.Camila’s chest tightened painfully.“After that, the Ramirez family will no longer be responsible for your expenses.”The blood drained from her face. “What?” she whispered.Lucia tilted her head. “Did I stutter?”Camila’s entire body started shaking. “No. No, no, no—you can’t just throw me away,” she choked. “I’m your daughter! Your only daughter. ”Lucia sighed, like she was bored. “You are my daughter,” she corrected. “But that does not mean I wouldn’t have to punish you..”Camila’s breath hitched. Tears blurred her vision. “Mamá, please,” she begged.Lucia’s expression didn’t change. “You will publicly apologize,” she continued. “On live television. You will admit to every single one of your lies.”Camila gripped the edge of the couch.“You will confess to faking the pregnancy.”Lucia stepped closer, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper.“You wil
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