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41: Aftermath
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-09 21:20:08
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Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 42: Coward
The elevator dinged, and just like that, he was gone. Coward. I stood there for a moment, staring at the empty hallway, my chest heaving. My heart was beating too fast, my anger climbing higher with every passing second. He left. He fucking left. I wasn’t going to sit here and let him play me. Fool—that’s what I was. A fool for thinking Alejandro could ever want me, let alone keep me by his side. A fool for thinking I could give him my heart He thought he could make decisions for me, like I was some fragile little thing he could wrap up and send away when it suited him. I clenched my fists. Not this time. I wasn’t going to let him run the show. I wasn’t going to sit back and let him play me. Alejandro wasn’t the first man to underestimate me—he just might be the last. I spun around and stormed back into the room I’d been staying in. Every step made my resolve harder, sharper. He could keep his ticket and his plans. If he wanted me gone, fine. But it wouldn’t be on his t
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 43: Guilty
Alejandro The whiskey burned, but not as much as the fucking guilt.The glass was half-empty, the edges smeared where I’d pressed it too hard against my lips.I gripped the glass tighter, staring at the dark amber liquid swirling under the dim lights of the bar. Across the street, the glow of the penthouse windows taunted me. I could’ve been there, should’ve been there—with her.Instead, I was here, drowning in this poison because walking away from her had been the hardest thing I’d ever done. Leaving her felt like tearing myself apart.But it had to be done.I closed my eyes and let the burn trail down my throat as I tipped the glass back again. The bitter truth was louder than the music in the background or the soft hum of conversations around me. She deserved better.Better than me.She deserved better than the mess I’d drag her into. She deserved better than a man who couldn’t promise her safety, let alone a future. I’d made a mistake letting things go so far, letting her under m
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-10Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 44: A Fool’s Proposal
Marco parked the car in front of an old warehouse.He stepped out first, moving with that same irritating arrogance. When he moved toward my side of the car, I quickly shoved the door open before he could reach it. I wasn’t going to let him have the satisfaction of opening the door for me.I didn’t need him playing the gentleman. If he thought I was about to play the obedient ex-wife, he had another thing coming.A man jogged over to him, a cocky grin plastered on his face. He handed Marco a small set of keys and winked.“It’s done,” the man said.Marco smirked, shaking his hand. “Good work.”I folded my arms across my chest, glaring. “What are you playing at, Marco?”“Patience, little dove.” His voice was infuriatingly calm, almost smug. “You’ll see soon enough.”The way he said it made my skin crawl. With that, he turned and headed for the warehouse door, leaving me no choice but to follow. My gut told me to run, to find another way out of this madness, but I wasn’t about to give h
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-11Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 45; A Fool’s Proposal II
“I’m not barren, Marco. For your information.” He froze, his smugness dissolving into stunned confusion. “What?” His eyes dropped to my stomach, his expression twisting with something between repulsion and fury. “Don’t tell me…” His voice rose, cracking. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant with that bastard’s child.” “Shut up,” I cut him off with an eye roll that barely hid my disgust. “You’ll never change.” His nostrils flared, his face twisting in fury. “How could you? How could you open your legs to him? You—” “It wasn’t for him!” I snapped, cutting him off as my voice broke, loud and raw. “It was for you!” That shut him up His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. He stared at me, his face pale and drawn. “I was pregnant the day you kicked me out,” I continued, my voice trembling with a fury I’d buried for too long. “I was pregnant until you and your mother killed my child.” The words hit him like a physical blow. He staggered back, his eyes wide with sh
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-11Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 46: Blood and Fire
My fist connected with Marco’s face again, the crunch of cartilage followed by the wet splatter of blood. He let out a low grunt, but he didn’t fight back. Instead, he looked up at me, his lips twisted into a bloody grin, a laugh bubbling out of him like this was some kind of sick joke. “You think this is funny?” He spat blood onto the floor, grinning wider. “You’ll never find her, little dove,” he said, his voice hoarse. I saw red. My fists rained down on him, my voice breaking as I screamed, “Where is my mother? Where is she, you bastard?” Marco didn’t answer. He just kept laughing, even as blood ran from his nose, smeared across his chin. His body convulsed with every hit I landed, but still, he didn’t raise a hand to defend himself. “Hit harder,” he taunted, his words slurred. “Put some muscle into it. Maybe if you hit me hard enough, I’ll tell you. Or maybe… I won’t.” “You sick bastard!” I yelled, slamming my fists into his chest. My knuckles stung, but I didn’t c
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-12Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 47– Reckoning
Alejandro straightened, towering over Marco. His eyes were cold, dark, and dangerous “Where is she?” Alejandro asked, each word laced with the promise of pain.Marco coughed, blood splattering the floor as he looked up with that disgusting grin of his. “Still barking orders like you are in charge, huh? He sneered, his lips twisting into a cruel grin. “Newsflash, De Luca: you’re not. And neither is she.” His eyes darted to me, glinting with maliceAlejandro’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t lash out. “Where is her mother?” Alejandro repeated, his voice tighter now, his patience thinning.Marco chuckled again, a dark, hollow sound. “Why don’t you ask little dove here?” he drawled. “I gave her a choice and a chance. She used to be mine, you know. Always mine. You’ll never change that, no matter how much you try. She’s just my leftover.”I froze, anger boiling in my veins, but Alejandro moved before I could react.Alejandro grabbed one of the lit candles from a nearby table. The flame flicker
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-12Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 48 – Despair
EstellaAlejandro didn’t speak to me as we left the warehouse, Marco’s screams still echoing faintly in the background. The air outside was cold but it wasn’t enough to cool the fire in my chest—or erase the shame clawing at my insidesHe reached the car first, unlocking it without a word. He stood by the driver’s side, waiting for me to get in. I hesitated, my legs feeling like lead, but eventually, I climbed into the passenger seat.The silence between us was suffocating.Then he got in, started the engine, and pulled away, his movements almost mechanical. His knuckles were tight on the wheel, his jaw locked, his eyes never leaving the road.Not a single glance my way. Not one word.The realization hit me like a punch. What came over me back there?I’d lost control. I’d become someone I didn’t recognize—angry, desperate, violent. And now Alejandro wouldn’t even look at me.Shame washed over me in waves, threatening to drown me. My chest tightened, my hands trembling as I stared at t
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-13Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 49 – Unfinished Business
I woke up in the backseat of the car. Everything hurt—my head, my body, my chest—but none of it compared to the gaping wound in my heartA paramedic leaned over me, his hands reaching to check my pulse.“Maam, you need to stay still,” “Get off me! I’m fine.” I hissed, shoving his hands away.“You’re not fine,” he argued. “You’ve—““I said I’m fine!” I snapped, sitting up too quickly, my head swimming. My breath coming in ragged gasps. My body might’ve felt broken, but it wasn’t the kind of broken they could fix.The paramedic hesitated, glancing toward the front seat.Alejandro’s voice came from the driver’s seat. “Back off. She said she’s fine.”The paramedic hesitated before retreating.I sat there, the ache in my chest spreading, deepening. My mother’s face flashed in my mind—the way she used to laugh, her soft smile when she thought I wasn’t looking. And then the stretcher, her body hidden beneath that stark white sheet.I turned to Alejandro. “Turn around.”He didn’t respond, hi
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-14
Pinakabagong kabanata
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 200: The Dead Don't Stay Dead
I stared at Marco, my entire body going numb. This wasn't possible. This couldn't be happening. Alejandro had told me he was dead—had described in detail how the FBI agents opened fire when Marco made a move for his gun. The official report stated he was dead on arrival at the hospital."You're dead," I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.Marco's lips curved into a cruel smile that seemed vaguely familiar, like a half-remembered nightmare."Clearly reports of my demise were... greatly exaggerated." He stepped further into the light, looking me up and down with undisguised contempt. "My God, Estella. A wedding dress? How touching. I'm sorry I missed the ceremony.""How?" Alejandro demanded. "I saw you die."Marco chuckled. "Did you, though? Did you really?"He circled us slowly, like a predator toying with cornered prey. The red laser dots from the snipers' rifles tracked our every movement, making any attempt to reach Arielle suicidal."Let me tell you a little sto
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 199: Walking into the Trap
"It's suicide," Raul said, his face tight with concern as he watched Alejandro count stacks of euros and stuff them into a duffel bag."You think I don't know that?" Alejandro didn't look up, he continued counting. Ten million euros in cash. The bank manager had nearly had a heart attack when we'd called, but Alejandro's name opened doors even at 2 AM.I stood by the car in my dirt-stained wedding dress, numb and hollow. Three hours since the call. Two hours and forty minutes since we'd started scrambling. Twenty minutes left until the deadline."We can send a team," Enrique suggested, not for the first time. "Have them take positions around the factory before you arrive.""And risk Arielle's life?" I shook my head. "They said they'd kill her if they spotted anyone else.""They're going to try to kill you both anyway," Raul argued.No one disagreed with that assessment. The question hung in the air: Was it better to die trying to follow their rules, or die trying to outsmart them?"En
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 198: A Race Against Time
I came back to consciousness with a gasp, the wail of sirens piercing through the fog in my brain. My wedding dress was filthy now, the white streaked with dirt and grass stains. The silk that had felt so perfect hours ago now no better than a rag."Estella!" Alejandro was kneeling beside me, his hands gripping my shoulders so tightly I could feel the tremor in his fingers. His face looked pale and rigid, but his eyes—God, his eyes burned with something that made my stomach drop."Arielle," I choked out, memories flooding back. The crash site. Eleanor covered in blood. The empty car.I tried to sit up too fast, and the world tilted before me. My hands clawed at Alejandro's arms as I fought to stand."Where is she? Did you find her?""Not yet. But we will."I pushed against his chest, struggling to my feet. My knees buckled instantly, and I would have fallen if he hadn't caught me. Behind him, I could see Eleanor being loaded into an ambulance, an oxygen mask still covering her face.
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 197: The Wedding Morning
Today is our wedding day. Again. And I haven’t seen my groom since last night."It’s bad luck to see the bride," Eleanor had insisted, practically shoving him out the door after our rehearsal dinner."Since when do you care about superstitions?" I'd asked her."Since you two have the kind of luck that makes me think we need all the help we can get," she'd replied dryly.I sat up and ran my fingers through my tangled hair, a smile spreading across my face despite myself. A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts."Mamá! Can I come in?" Arielle's voice was pitched high with excitement."Of course, baby."The door flew open and my daughter burst in, already dressed. The pink dress made her look like a tiny fairy, complete with a crown of fresh flowers sitting slightly askew on her dark curls."Look at you!" I gasped, holding out my arms. "The most beautiful flower girl in all of Spain."She twirled, the tulle skirt floating around her like a cloud. "Do you think Papá will cry whe
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 196: The Wedding Countdown
"Estella?" Eleanor's voice called through the door. "The wedding planners are here. They need decisions on flowers and table settings."Alejandro groaned, burying his face in my neck. "Tell them to come back next year."I smacked his shoulder and rolled out of bed, grabbing his discarded shirt from the floor. "Give us fifteen minutes, Aunt Eleanor!""Ten," she countered. "They have four other appointments today.""Jesus Christ," Alejandro muttered, throwing an arm over his eyes. "This is why I wanted to elope."I tossed his pants at him, hitting him square in the chest. "Up, De Luca. You wanted this big wedding too, remember?"He caught my wrist as I turned toward the bathroom, pulling me back onto the bed with a swift tug. "I want you. The rest is just details.""Details that cost a fortune," I reminded him, though my resolve weakened as his lips found my neck."Money well spent," he murmured against my skin.Another knock, more insistent this time."For fuck's sake," Alejandro growl
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 195: The Wedding Plans
The first thing I felt was warmth. A slow, lazy kind of heat, tangled in sheets that still smelled like him. My body ached—the delicious kind of soreness. Alejandro was already awakesat at the edge of the bed, bare chested with his laptop open, fingers flying across the keyboard.I stretched and watched him for a moment, admiring the way the morning light on his tanned skin, the way his dark hair was still a little messy from my hands last night."How the hell are you already working?" I mumbled, stretching again."Some of us don't need twelve hours of recovery after—"I grabbed a pillow and chucked it at his head. He caught it mid-air, of course.“I booked our flight,” he said. “We leave tonight.”That had me sitting up, blinking the sleep from my eyes. “Tonight?”His gaze flicked to mine, studying. “You sure you’re okay flying so soon?”I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “I talked to a neurologist when I got my memories back.”Alejandro listened, completely focused. The kind
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 194: I Choose You
He carried me down the hall, never breaking the kiss, and kicked the door shut behind us. We fell onto his bed in a tangle of wet clothes and urgent hands. He pulled back just long enough to tear his shirt over his head."I can’t get enough of you," he groaned, burying his face in my neck.I arched into him, nails scraping down his back. "Show me how much."He took his time undressing me, kissing each newly exposed inch of skin like he was memorizing me all over again. When he reached the scar that ran across my ribs."I thought I would never get you back," he murmured against my skin.I threaded my fingers through his hair, guiding his face back to mine. "You did. I'm right here."No more words were needed after that.Afterward, we lay tangled in the sheets, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. One of his arm behind his head, the other lazily tracing circles on my hip. His fingers brushed over the faint scars marring my body—the ones I barely noticed anymore."You know,"
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 193: The Ties That Bind
ESTELLARaul, Clara, and Enrique pile into the penthouse, the takeout’s already spread across the kitchen island—pizza, wings, some fancy-ass pasta Alejandro insisted on. Kai’s toddling around, tugging at Raul’s pant leg, and Clara’s got that tired-mom glow."Don't look at my face like that," Raul said, catching my expression. "We're not leaving you two alone for a minute. Not until we're sure you won't try to run off again.""Raul!" Clara scolded, but her eyes sparkled with amusement."What? We all know it's true." He dropped onto the couch, stretching his legs. "Alejandro's turned into a real pain in the ass the past five years. I'm not dealing with that again.""You're such an asshole," I laughed.“Still can’t believe you’re sittin’ here, alive,” Enrique says, shoving a slice of pepperoni into his mouth. He’s perched on a stool, elbows on the counter, grinning like a kid who just won a bet. “You know, you might actually be a superhero.”I huffed a laugh. “What?”Enrique smirked. “T
Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 192: Everything Clicks Into Place
ALEJANDRO"Running away again?" The words came out harsher than I intended, edged with irritation of her assuming and fleeing. Like she always did. She jerked her head up, eyes red-rimmed behind the oversized sunglasses she'd pushed up on her head."Fuck you," she spat, her voice raw.Not the reunion I was hoping for after last night. But at least she was looking at me, not running.I fought to keep my expression neutral, even as my insides twisted at the sight of her tear-stained face. She'd been crying—hard—and something told me it was because of me. I’m guessing she walked in on Vicky in my office just now. "You're an idiot,"Her eyes widened, fury replacing her tears. "Excuse me?""You heard me." I crossed my arms, studying her face. So goddamn beautiful, even when she looked like she wanted to tear my throat out. "Vicky is gay."She blinked. Once. Twice. Her mouth opened, then closed."What?" she finally managed."Vicky. The woman you saw in my office." I spelled it out slowly,
