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69 – Mine
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-28 05:52:52
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Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 70: Camila’s Interruption
Estella’s POVThe woman in the doorway smiled—a dazzling kind of smile. “Oh, come now. Is that any way to greet an old friend?” She stepped fully into the room, her heels clicking against the tile. Her coat flared slightly with the movement, revealing an emerald dress that hugged her like a second skin.She was stunning. And she knew it“I came as soon as I heard. I was worried about you,” she said, her tone all syrupy and concerned as she rushed to his side.Alejandro groaned, his head tilting back as if he needed strength from the ceiling to endure her presenceBefore I could process what was happening, she leaned down and wrapped her arms around him.I felt my body tense, I instinctively tried to withdraw from Alejandro’s hold. But his arm tightened around me, keeping me firmly in place“What the—Camila, get off me,” Alejandro muttered, his voice strained as he tried to push her away.She pulled back, clutching his arms, her glossy lips curving into a relieved smile. “Are you okay?
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-29Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 71: Questioning
Estella’s POVThe door swung open again, and Enrique stepped back in. “Boss, I have taken care of the hospital papers ,” he said. “A detective is here from the station for questioning. I already told her you’re not ready—”“Let her in,” Alejandro interrupted.Enrique hesitated, his gaze flicking briefly to me, then to a woman lounging near the window. “Are you sure? You’ve just been—”“Enrique,” Alejandro said, cutting him off with a pointed look. “Send her in.”“Yes, sir. He gave a nod, then turned to leave.I was about to ask who exactly Camila was when the door opened again. This time, it wasn’t Enrique.“Good afternoon,” said a woman in a navy blazer, her badge already in hand. “Detective Rivera.”I instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around me.“Mr. De Luca, Mrs. De Luca,” she began. “I’m here regarding your car accident.”I moved to the couch, suddenly aware of how I must have looked, still bruised and bandaged.Alejandro shifted in the bed. “What about it?”Rivera didn’t f
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-30Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 72: The Return
Alejandro POV “Ready?” The doctor asked. I nodded once, holding Estella’s hand as she sat stiffly beside me on the edge of the hospital bed. She looked pale. “Her ribs are still tender, so no sudden movements,” the doctor instructed me, glancing between us. “And your shoulder…” His gaze flicked to the bandage peeking out from under my shirt. “No heavy lifting. You’ll both need regular check-ups and physical therapy.” Estella gave a clipped nod. She hated being fussed over. When the nurse returned with a wheelchair, Estella’s knuckles turned white around my hand. “I don’t need that,” “You’ll sit in it,” I said. She shot me a glare but didn’t fight me. I helped her ease into the seat, ignoring the sharp pull in my shoulder. As the nurse wheeled her out, I followed, keeping a hand on the wheelchair’s handle. Outside, Enrique waited by the car. He opened the door with practiced efficiency. “The car’s ready. I moved to help Estella in, but she hesitated, her gaze darti
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-01Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 73: Back to the Start
Estella POV“We’re home, baby.”Alejandro’s voice stirred me awake. My head was resting against his shoulder, the scent of him so comforting. I blinked slowly, the world outside the window coming into focus.The car had stopped, the engine humming softly. I must’ve fallen asleep on the drive, something I rarely did. But I’ve got to admit it was the deepest sleep I’d had in ages.I stretched. “How long was I out?”“Long enough to remind me how cute you look when you’re not yelling”“Shut up”I sat up slowly, taking in the familiar sight of the sprawling estate. The last time I’d been here, I was breaking in, desperate and angry to clear Alejandro’s name. Now, it felt…different.“I figured you’d appreciate it more than being stuck in the city.,” he said, his voice quieter now. “Back to where it all started.”He was right. The estate was surrounded by lush greenery,the distant lake,the kind of setting that made you breathe a little slower. The scent of pine mixed with the faint floral no
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-01Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 74: Midnight Interruption
Estella POVDinner was extravagant. Diane had outdone herself with a spread of roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, fresh-baked bread, and a salad drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette. But it was the dessert that had Estella groaning in bliss.“I swear,” I said, leaning back, “if I don’t stop now, I’ll need a crane to get up.”Alejandro and I moved to a couch. I felt relaxed, maybe for the first time in weeks, even though my body still ached. He poured himself a glass of wine, while I nursed a glass of water.“She’s really an amazing cook,” I said, resting my head against the couch. “It’s almost criminal how good that roast chicken was.”He smirked. “You should have seen her when I first hired her—burnt toast every morning.”I laughed. “I can’t picture that. She’s amazing now.”“She is,” he agreed, leaning back. “You almost passed out from eating too much.”I nudged his side with my elbow. “I did not. I just appreciated the food properly.”“Sure, mi estrella,” he teased, his deep vo
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-02Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 75: Midnight Interruption II
Estella POVAlejandro picked up the phone reluctantly, his jaw tightening. “Maybe it’s an emergency,” he muttered, sliding his hand down my thigh.I groaned and slumped back against the couch.The second he said, “Hello,” Camila’s voice filled the room“Alejandro! Thank God, you’re okay! I’ve been worried sick since I heard. Why didn’t anyone tell me you were discharged? I swear, you two are impossible. And speaking of impossible, we need to finalize the palette. Are you thinking a classic gold and cream? Or should we lean toward something bold like navy and silver?”Alejandro blinked. “What the hell are you talking about, Camila?”“The party!” she exclaimed, as if it were obvious. “For you and Estella! You know, as a welcome home for me slash healing celebration for guys extravaganza! Everything is already coming together, but we still have to iron out the details. I’ve got the florist lined up, and the caterer’s waiting on approval. Oh, and I need Estella’s input on the centerpieces
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-02Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 76: The Party
Estella POV Alejandro straightened his tie. He looks almost too perfect to be real. Dark, tousled hair that always looked like someone had run their hands through it—probably because I did. Sharp cheekbones, a jawline cut like marble, and those stormy grey eyes that seemed to pierce through every layer of my soul. He was infuriatingly gorgeous. Like some sculptor had taken one look at an ancient Greek god and decided to create something better. “How do you even exist?” I muttered, adjusting the lapels of his midnight-black suit. “You keep touching me like that, and I won’t care that we’re already late to Camila’s ridiculous party.” I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest. “Ridiculous or not, I have to admit—you look devastatingly handsome tonight. Perfect suit, sexy tie, that jawline… I’m surprised the mirrors don’t crack under the weight of all that perfection.” He grabbed my wrist, pulling me flush against him. My breath hitched as his hands slid to my
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-03Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak 77: The Disguise of Concern
Estella POVBefore either of them could respond, a young waitress, barely older than twenty, approached our table with a tray of champagne flutes. As she leaned forward to offer a glass to Vivian, the edge of her tray caught on Vivian’s dress, sending a small splash of champagne onto the fabric.She froze, her face pale. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean—”“Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?” Vivian snapped, her voice sharp enough to make the poor girl flinch.The waitress stammered, her hands trembling. “I-I’ll clean it right away—”Vivian didn’t let her finish. With a sneer, she grabbed the whole tray and tipped its contents onto the poor girl’s uniform.“Now we’re even,” she said coldly, a cruel smile curling her lips.I couldn’t stay silent. “Enough,” I said, stepping forward.The murmurs around us quieted, and all eyes turned to our little scene. I reached for the girl, gently pulling her behind me.“She apologized,” I said. “There was no reason to humiliate her.”
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-03
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,
