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96: Long Silence
Last Updated:
2025-01-19 23:25:03
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Estella POVWhat if his car slipped on ice and crashed? What if he was lying out there, bleeding, freezing in the snow, waiting for help that wasn’t coming?Should I go after him? But I didn’t even know where he was.I dialed again. Straight to voicemail. Again.“Goddammit,” I muttered, gripping the phone tighter. Where the hell was he?”I dialed Enrique again instead.“Ms Estella,” he answered.“Enrique, have you found him yet? I’ve called him a dozen times. He’s not answering.” My voice cracked on the last word, betraying the panic I was trying so hard to suppress.“It’s strange,” Enrique admitted. “His phone isn’t reachable. I’m checking around.”“What if he’s… What if something happened to him?” I whispered. My throat tightened, the words catching. “What if he’s out there, hurt—or worse?”“I don’t know yet,” Enrique replied. “But I’m checking into it. I’ll find him.”My throat felt tight, and my voice cracked. “Please, Enrique. I don’t know what to do. Just tell me if—”He interru
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 98: All Hell Breaks Loose
Estella POV The red material slipped from my fingers and fell onto the floor like a grenade I had just detonated. I stared at it, my stomach churning, bile rising in my throat. Slowly, I raised my gaze to Alejandro, my heart pounding with equal parts pain and fury. The man I thought I knew looked back at me with panic written all over his face “Why, Alejandro?” My voice trembled, but I kept my head high, refusing to let the tears fall. “What does this even mean? His hands flew up defensively, his jaw clenching. “Estella, I don’t know how it got there. You have to believe me—“ “Liar!” The word escaped before I could stop it, the word ripping out of me like a scream. “So that’s why you were away all day, huh? Right after asking me to marry you, you ran straight to her? You couldn’t even wait a fucking day!” His face darkened, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. “Don’t you fucking do that,” he snapped “I’m warning you Estella. How can you accuse me of sleeping with her? I a
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 99: The Broken Ring
Estella POVI stormed into the walk in closet, pulling clothes off hangers without looking at them. A pair of jeans. A random blouse. A jacket. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to leave. I shoved everything into a duffel bag, my movements frantic, the sound of my own ragged breathing filling the space.“Estella,” Alejandro’s voice came from the doorway, low and cautious, like he was trying not to spook a wild animal.I ignored him, yanking out more clothes.“Estella,” he repeated, firmer this time, stepping into the room. “Where are you going?”I zipped the bag with trembling hands and turned to face him. His expression stopped me in my tracks. His dark eyes weren’t just tired—they were haunted, rimmed red with exhaustion. His shoulders sagged like he was carrying a weight no one could see. But it was the way he looked at me—pleading, desperate—that made my throat tighten.“Where are you going?” he asked again.“Away,” I said, my tone colder than I intended.“Away where?” His jaw tight
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 100: Finding Solace
Estella POVThe house was silent when I walked in,the sounds of my footsteps echoing down the empty halls. I didn’t go straight to our room. Instead, I lingered in the kitchen, staring blankly at the hot cup of tea Diane had left on the counter.I couldn’t bring myself to take a sip.When I finally forced my legs to move upstairs, I found everything back in its place. The closet doors were shut, the drawers neatly closed, and the bag I’d packed with such rage and pain was gone. My clothes had been folded and put back exactly where they belonged.I knew it was him.My chest tightened, a mixture of frustration and something far more painful. He’d done it not because he was dismissing my anger but because he wanted me to stay. It was so… him. Always trying to fix things in his own silent way.I leaned against the doorframe, my eyes scanning the room then the door, looking for a sign of him.Damn him.I caught my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, my cheeks splotchy, and my lip
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Estella POV“You’ve got some nerve showing up here,” I said as I stared up at Camila leaning casually against the banister of the platform above, as if she owned the place.She wasn’t the sweet innocent, doe-eyed girl she pretended to be for so long. Today, she looked every inch the conniving snake I always knew she was— unapologetically malicious.She was dressed in a sleek, blood-red trench coat cinched tightly at the waist with stilettos so high I bet they hurt. Her lips curled into a smirk painted the same shade as her coat, and her hair was pinned back in a high ponytail, not a single strand out of place. She tilted her head slightly, as if amused, her painted pink nails tapping against the metal railing. The way she walked down the stairs felt like a performance. Each step, each click of her heels, was designed to get under my skin, and damn it, it was working.“What can I say? I’ve always been known to be bold. Full of surprises too” she replied.I could feel the curious gazes
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Estella POVI laughed out loud, the kind of laugh that wasn’t born out of humor but pure disbelief. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time,” I said, shaking my head. “You’ve gone from desperate to downright delusional and absolutely nuts.”“Oh, I’m sorry. What exactly is so funny about me being pregnant, Estella?”“You,” I said, biting down another laugh. “Do you honestly think I’m stupid enough to fall for this? Then you’re dumber than I ever thought, Camila.” My voice was calm, but the fury simmering underneath was unmistakable. “Newsflash, sweetheart: You can’t get pregnant overnight. Biology 101. Let me spell it out for you—pregnancy takes time. Two weeks minimum.” I raised two fingers for emphasis, staring her dead in the eye. “So read my lips: Stop this nonsense and go home before I blast your pathetic little act wide open.”Camila didn’t back down. If anything, her smirk widened, her painted lips curling in amusement. “Oh, Estella. You really think I’m lying, don’t you?” S
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Estella POVThe receptionist’s polished smile barely shifted as I handed her Clara’s credit card. “Welcome to The Halcyon,” she said. “Will you be needing help with your luggage, Ms. Morris—”Yes. I logged in under a fake name. Clara’s to be precise.“No, don’t bother” I cut her off quickly, forcing a smile. “No luggage. Just me.”She nodded, but her gaze lingered a second too long, her smile widening a fraction. “You look familiar. Are you a model? I think I used to see you on—The question caught me off guard. “No,” I said quickly. “You must have me confused with someone else.”The girl blinked, her cheeks coloring. “Oh, my mistake. Sorry. I just thought—”I didn’t let her finish. “It’s fine. Could I have my key, please?”She nodded and handed over the key card. “Room 210. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call the front desk. Enjoy your stay.”I muttered a quick “thanks” and moved away, resisting the urge to glance back. In the elevator’s mirrored walls, my reflection stared
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Estella POVI stopped at a 24/7 store next which was quiet except for the shuffle of a lone employee restocking shelves. I wandered through the aisles, scanning shelves that gleamed under harsh fluorescent lighting. My fingers hovered over a stack of plain T-shirts before settling on a soft gray one. I threw it into my basket alongside the essentials I’d already grabbed—a travel toothbrush, a comb, a pack of face wipes, and a plain set of pajamas. My fingers hesitated over a simple black dress. It wasn’t like I had anywhere to wear it. But then again, who cares so I tossed it into my basket too, along with a pair of flats.The cashier smiled politely as I slid Clara’s credit card across the counter, her nails clicking against the keyboard as she rang up my items. She didn’t say much, but the look she gave me—it was faintly curious, like she was trying to place me. Did I seem familiar to her too? Or was I just paranoid after the receptionist?I stuffed the receipt into the bag and hea
Last Updated : 2025-01-26
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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,
