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77: The Disguise of Concern
Last Updated:
2025-01-03 19:12:45
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Estella POV I couldn’t take another second of this. It was suffocating. “I’m going to lie down,” I said abruptly, excusing myself from the room before anyone could stop me. I couldn’t stomach Camila’s cloying voice for another second. “Oh, Estella,” she cooed, her eyes following me. “You really should. You’re still looking sick. Maybe you need some vitamins? Don’t worry I have loads of skincare packed here for you.” I bit my tongue and forced a tight smile. “Thanks for the concern but I’m good. There is no need. ” I didn’t wait for her reply as I headed back for the stairs, her voice floating up behind me. “Alejandro, do you hear that? She’s overworked. You should do something about it. This is the reason I planned this sleepover.” I rolled my eyes and kept walking. “Oh, come on, Alejandro!” she whined. “It’ll be fun. Like old times. I can’t go back to that apartment after what happened.” I paused mid-step, curiosity getting the better of me. “And what exactly happe
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 79: Shattered Foundations
Estella POVI stepped into the modest yet elegant space that housed Estrella Designs. It wasn’t huge—a handful of rooms for consultations, storage, and a cozy workspace where my team brought my ideas to life. At the far end, the walls were lined with shelves displaying my signature piecesI’d dreamed of expanding by the end of the year, turning this modest studio into a fashion house worthy of the luxury pieces we created. And if the current sales continued, that dream wasn’t far off.“Welcome back, Ms. Estella.” Clara greeted me at the door with her usual her no-nonsense attitude which had been exactly what I needed when I hired her.She was my first hire.I still remembered her interview—when I asked her the one question I asked every candidate, ‘Why should I hire you?’“Because I don’t just work hard. I make things happen,” she’d said.She hadn’t been lying.“How’s everything running?” I asked, shrugging off my coat as we walked to my office.“Better than you’d think,” Clara said, h
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 80: The Cracks Begin
Estella POVMy phone pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. Alejandro’s name lit up the screen.“How did the deal go, mi estrella? I know you’ll knock them off their feet. Don’t forget you’re unstoppable. Call me later—I want to hear all about it and I miss your voice already.”I stared at his words and swallowed hard. This should have been comforting, but it only twisted the knife deeper. He had no idea about the accusations, the cancellations, or the articles dragging Estrella Designs through the mud.My thumbs hovered over the screen, tempted to unload everything.“It was a disaster. Someone’s accusing me of fraud, and now everything’s falling apart because of a stupid online post.”I stared at the words, then sighed and erased them. Instead, I typed something simpler“I’ll tell you all about it when I get home.”Pressing send, I let out a shaky breath. My fingers tightened around my coffee mug as guilt bubbled in my chest. Alejandro always had faith in me, but right now, I wasn’t s
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Alejandro was propped up against the headboard, a laptop balanced on his thighs. His face was pale, a sheen of sweat dotting his brow, but his eyes lit up the moment he saw me.“You’re back,” he said, his voice low and hoarse.I frowned, crossing the room in a few quick strides. “Alejandro, you look like you’ve been through a war,.”He smirked, though it lacked his usual fire. “Thanks, mi estrella. Just the compliment I needed.”Ignoring his sarcasm, I tugged the laptop off his lap, setting it on the nightstand. A glance at the bedside table revealed untouched tea and covered snacks left by Miss-we-go-way-back. My fingers brushed his forehead, and the heat radiating off him made my stomach twist.“You’re burning up.”“I’m fine,” he murmured, trying to wave me off, but even that small movement seemed to sap his strength.“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” I demanded, planting my hands on my hips.He shrugged, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “You had a meeting to worry about.
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A smile tugged at my lips, relief washing over me. At least one thing was going right today.“What’s got you grinning like that?” Alejandro’s deep voice came from behind me.Startled, I shoved the device under the blanket like a guilty teenager. “You’re supposed be in bed. When did you wake up?” I said, spinning around to face himHe raised a brow, crossing his arms. Even with the pale flush of fever still clinging to his cheeks, he looked every bit the sexy commanding man I’d married. “I was, but you’re being suspicious. Let me see.”“No!” I said quickly, scooting back on the bed.He raised an eyebrow. “Now that’s suspicious. You’re hiding something, mi estrella.“I’m not!” I shot back, but the heat rising to my face betrayed me.“Oh, really?” His lips curved into a dangerous smirk, and before I could protest, he lunged for the phone.“Stop!” I yelped, twisting away from him.I dodged, barely managing to keep it out of reach. “Alejandro!” I shrieked, laughter bubbling up.“Give it to
Last Updated : 2025-01-06Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 83: She’s Staying
Estella The door swung open, and Alejandro walked back into the room, his expression stormy. I sat up, pulling the blanket tighter around me, waiting for him to speak. “She’s leaving,” he announced curtly, his voice still laced with the anger from earlier. “Good,” I muttered. He climbed back into bed, brushing a hand over his face. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.” Before I could respond, a sharp knock echoed from the door. Alejandro groaned, his jaw tightening as he called out, “What now?” Camila peeked her head inside, her eyes red-rimmed and watery. She looked nothing like the smug woman who’d barged in earlier. “Alejandro… I know you want me gone. But I—I can’t leave right now.” His glare was icy. “What part of ‘you’re leaving’ didn’t you understand?” Tears spilled down her cheeks as she stepped inside, clutching her phone tightly. “I just got off the phone with my building manager. The rat infestation is worse than I thought. They’re still working on it, and I
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I was still mad at Alejandro for letting Camila stay. I sat at the edge of the bed, arms crossed, watching him tie his tie in the mirror. He looked annoyingly perfect. “You’re not going to work,” “I feel fine,” he countered, his gray eyes locking onto mine in the mirror. “Fine? You were burning up last night,” I reminded him, standing and planting myself between him and the door. “You’re staying home.” He smirked, leaning down until our noses almost touched. “You’re cute when you’re bossy.” “And you’re infuriating when you’re stubborn,” I shot back, my hands on my hips. His laugh was the kind that made my resolve waver. “I’ll take it easy. I promise. But I have to go. There are things that need my attention.” I sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to win this one. “Fine. But if I find out you overworked yourself, Alejandro…” “You’ll what?” he teased, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss. “You’ll punish me?” Heat rose to my cheeks, and I pushed him away with a laugh. “Go
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Clara’s car was a snug compact sedan that made it easier to move through the tight streets. I sat in the back, Raul in the passenger seat.“Not exactly the kind of neighborhood you want to be parked in for too long,” Clara muttered, half to herself“Thanks for covering the payment, Raul,” I said, glancing at him from the backseat. “I’ll make sure to pay you back—”“Don’t worry about it. Consider it handled.”“Handled?!” Clara spun around to face him, her dark curls bouncing as she gestured animatedly. “That was twenty thousand dollars. Do you have any idea how foolish it was to pay that sleazeball that amount?”Raul scoffed, shaking his head. “Relax, Clara. I didn’t actually pay him.”“Wait—what?”“What do you mean?” I asked, leaning forward.He tapped his phone, handing it to Clara. “Check the notification.”Her eyes darted to the screen before widening in realization. “The money’s been reversed!” she exclaimed. “Wait—so was that a fake transfer?”“Let’s just say he won’t notice unti
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The church is packed. Black designer suits and dresses. Photographers lining the street. I ignore them all, striding through the doors in jeans and a rumpled shirt, a month's worth of beard on my face.The service has already started. A priest drones on about loss and heaven. Empty words over an empty casket.Every head turns when I walk in. Whispers ripple through the crowd. The great Alejandro De Luca, finally broken.I don't give a fuck what they think."Mr. De Luca," the male agent says, extending his hand. I ignore it. He cleared his throat “ I am Agent Calloway and this is my partner Agent Rivera.”"You're taking a chunk of my time. Talk."They exchange glances. "We should discuss this privately."I push past them to a small building outside the church. They follow, closing the door behind them."We have reason to believe Marco Valdez was involved in sabotaging your wife's plane," Calloway says.My blood runs cold, then hot. "Tell me something I don't already know.""We found of
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Alejandro One Month LaterI slam my fist into the wall, pain shooting up my arm. I welcome it. Anything to feel something other than this fucking hole in my chest.The TV drones on in the background, some society reporter standing outside the church where they're burying a goddamn empty casket. _"...the tragic death of Estella De Luca has shocked the business world. Sources close to the family say her husband, billionaire Alejandro De Luca, is too overcome with grief to attend today's service..."_I grab the remote and hurl it at the screen. Glass shatters, sparks fly. The sudden silence is almost worse.Someone knocks. I ignore it.The door opens anyway. Raúl. "Boss," he says quietly, stepping over broken furniture. My office looks like a war zone. "The funeral's starting. People are asking where you are."I don't turn to face him. My eyes remain fixed on the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. Somewhere out there, she's alive. I feel it in my fucking bones."Let them
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EstellaThe private jet climbs higher into the sky, each mile taking me further from him, stretching the distance between us. Between me and the only man I have ever truly loved.I press my forehead against the cool window, watching as everything disappears beneath the clouds. Somewhere down there, I know he’s still standing on that airstrip, watching this plane carry his heart away. I wonder if he regrets it. If he wants to take it all back.My fingers trace the edge of his letter, still sealed. I couldn’t bring myself to open it yet."Ms De Luca?" The flight attendant appears with a gentle smile. "Would you like some water? We have about four hours until we reach the Amalfi Coast."Four hours. In four hours, I'll be in a foreign country, alone except for the two security men Alejandro insisted on sending with me. They sit several rows ahead."No, thank you." My voice sounds strange to my own ears.The cabin is quiet except for the hum of the engine. A middle aged businessman types o
