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61 – The Line Between Us
Last Updated:
2024-12-23 22:30:09
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Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 62 – Time to Play the Game
The warden escorted the woman in the plain trench coat and oversized scarf down a sterile hallway. Her heels echoed faintly against the cold, tiled floor.“Nurse Hartley,” he barked, stopping by a desk where a woman was flipping through a clipboard. “Visitor for Room 47.”Hartley frowned, her lips tightening. “Helena Valdez? I don’t know why anyone would want to see her.”The woman gave her a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “She deserves visitors too, doesn’t she?”Hartley snorted. “That one doesn’t need visitors—she needs an exorcist.”The warden frowned at her but said nothing. He handed the woman a visitor’s badge, his gaze on her scarf for a moment before nodding for Hartley to proceed.“I still think this is a mistake,” Hartley muttered as she led the woman down a narrow corridor.When they reached the final door, Hartley paused, glancing at the reinforced glass window. Inside, Helena Valdez sat slouched in her chair, her hair hanging in greasy strands around her face. He
Last Updated : 2024-12-23Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 63 – The Dance Before the Fall
Estella POVMy designs glistened under the spotlights like stars against the night sky. Each piece had been meticulously crafted—not just to be beautiful, but to tell a story.My story.I stood behind the curtains, clutching the edges of my speech cards, though I knew every word by heart. The murmurs of the crowd buzzed like white noise, a reminder of the faces waiting for me on the other side.“Ready?” Alejandro’s voice broke through the noise.I turned to find him standing beside me, his hand resting lightly on my back. His touch warm.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, giving him a tight smile.“You’re going to blow them away,” he said with quiet confidence.The crowd shifted as I stepped onto the stage, every eye drawn to the spotlight that followed me. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the faint notes of the jazz band playing in the background.“This collection,” I began, the microphone amplifying my voice across the grand hall, “isn’t just about jewelry. It’s a tribute
Last Updated : 2024-12-24Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 64 – Disappearing Act
Alejandro POVI’d been standing near the restroom door, glancing at my watch, debating whether to check on Estella. Ten minutes had passed since she’d gone in. Too long. I was about to knock when my phone buzzed in my pocket.“Boss, you need to get down here,” Enrique’s voice came through slightly annoyed. “There’s a woman causing a scene, trying to crash in without a pass. Says her name is Camila Ramirez.”Ah, shit. I muttered under my breath. “Just let her through.”He paused. “You sure? She’s—”“Let her through, Enrique.”I ended the call, glancing back at the bathroom door one last time before making my way toward the entrance. Camila and chaos were a package deal. If I didn’t handle her quickly, she’d take the whole night down with her.I found her at the main entrance, arms crossed and glaring daggers at Enrique, who stood as an unyielding wall between her and the event. She was in full dramatic mode, her foot tapping against the marble floor in exaggerated annoyance.When her e
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 65 – Seeing Red
Alejandro POVI slammed the door behind me so hard the frame shuddered. I turned the lock with a sharp twist, pocketing the key as I stalked into the room.Estella’s head snapped up, her movements slow and disoriented. Her gaze darted around the room before it settled on me. Her hair was mussed and her eyes wide with confusion. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice shaky.She struggled to sit up, the covers slipping down her shoulders to reveal the curve of her bare cleavage. Her cheeks flushed, and she yanked the blanket back up, clutching it tightly against her chestI didn’t speak. My breaths came fast and uneven as I stared at her. Naked in bed.“What the hell are you doing here?” I finally growled, my voice low and dangerous. “And why the fuck are you naked?”“I-I don’t know,” she stammered, her brow furrowing like she was trying to piece together a puzzle.Before she could say more, the adjoining bathroom door creaked open.A man stepped out.Naked too except for a towel slun
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 66 – Collision Course
Estella POV“Estella, please, let me fucking focus!” Alejandro spat over the roar of the speeding engine in a furious tone.I was crying so hard my chest hurt, the seatbelt biting into me with every sharp turn he took. “I didn’t do anything!” I screamed back, tears streaming down my face. “You have to believe me, Alejandro! I don’t know how I—”He cut me off, his jaw tight as he gripped the wheel. “Was that why you insisted I leave you alone? So you could sneak him?”“Don’t you fucking dare!” I gasped, choking on my sobs. “I swear I didn’t!”“Then explain it to me, Estella!”“I don’t know! I woke up and he was there!”“I don’t want to hear it!” His knuckles were white, veins bulging as he swerved around a delivery truck, the tires screeching against the asphalt.My explanation wasn’t enough. His eyes burned, anger simmering beneath the surface. The speedometer climbed higher, the numbers glowing like a countdown to disaster.My stomach lurched as the car veered dangerously close to t
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 67 – Inferno
Estella POVA groan.Low, pained, but alive.I blinked through the haze, the world spinning as I tried to focus. The sharp sting of gasoline filled my nostrils, the acrid smoke biting my throat as I coughed.My legs… they wouldn’t budge. Panic clawed at my chest as I tugged weakly at the seatbelt biting into my collarbone.The fire crackled closer.“Alejandro,” I croaked again, my voice shaking. “Please…”He stirred, his head lolling to the side, blood dripping from his temple, like war paint. His chest rose and fell unevenly, every breath a struggle. His hands moved sluggishly, reaching for the seatbelt that pinned him to his seat.“Alejandro,” I whispered, but my voice barely came out. My chest ached, my legs felt like dead weight, and the acrid stench of gasoline was choking the air.The fire was spreading.It danced on the mangled remains of the car that had slammed into us, creeping toward ours with a deadly intent. The hissing sound of leaking fuel grew louder.He groaned again,
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 68 – Don’t Let Go
Estella POVThe explosion had thrown us both to the ground, and the roar of fire filled the air. My ears were ringing, but it wasn’t loud enough to drown out the pounding of my heart.“No,” I choked out, a searing pain in my legs. “Alejandro, you don’t get to do this me!” My hands trembled, smearing blood across his skin.Nothing.“No, no, no,” I sobbed, shaking him gently at first, then harder. “Please don’t leave me too! Wake up!”Suddenly, headlights pierced the smoke. A car screeched to a halt, the door flying open“Estella!” Raúl’s voice rang out. He sprinted toward us, his face etched with panic“Help him!” I cried, waving frantically toward Alejandro. “Please, he’s not waking up!“What the fuck happened?”“The car crashed—,” I cried. “He—he got me out, and then the explosion…” My words tumbled out in panicked gasps. “He’s not waking up, Raúl!”Raúl dropped to his knees, his hands immediately going to Alejandro’s neck, checking for a pulse. His jaw tightened.“Is he—”“He’s ali
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 69 – Mine
Estella POV “Hey.” My head shot up, and my heart stuttered. Alejandro’s eyes were open, heavy-lidded but alive. “You’re awake!” The relief crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless. Tears blurred my vision as I leaned closer, brushing his hair off his forehead. “Oh, God, Alejandro, I thought—. Wait I’ll call the doctor. Just—just stay still.” “Stop,” he murmured. “I’m fine. Don’t fuss.” “Don’t fuss? Alejandro, you need—” “Come here Estella.” His tone left no room for argument. I swallowed, drawn in like a moth to a flame. Slowly, I leaned in, close enough to hear the steady rhythm of his breathing. “Closer,” he said again, his gaze boring into mine. I inched closer, our noses almost touching now. He reached up with his unbandaged hand, pulling the oxygen mask down to his chin. The next thing I knew, his fingers were at the back of my neck, gripping me with a possessiveness that sent a shiver through my entire body. And then his mouth crushed into mine.
Last Updated : 2024-12-28
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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,
