Chapter 6

"I'm not mad." Yara met Mateo's gaze, her expression serious. She hesitated, like she wasn't sure he'd buy it, then added, "I just caught a cold. Didn't want to pass it to you, so I stayed away."

"You're sick? Did you catch a chill? Are you okay?"

Before she could answer, he was already typing on his phone. "The weather's getting colder. Do you need more clothes? I'll send some over."

Fast. Too fast. She barely had time to react. But honestly? Whatever. Let him send them. It wasn't like she planned on using them. Worst case, she'd leave them behind when she left—maybe his precious Helen would appreciate them.

So she didn't argue. "I'm fine. Just take care of yourself. You're still recovering—you should be in the hospital."

The words sounded right, but there was nothing behind them. No warmth, no concern. Just a polite dismissal.

Mateo hesitated. Something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he was imagining things.

He stood, ready to go—then paused. She was still lying there, making no move to follow. His jaw tightened. "If you're not coming with me, then I'm not going."

They locked eyes. A beat of silence. Then Yara sighed, resigned.

Fine.

She got up, changed, and went with him.

***

At the hospital, Mateo suddenly remembered Yara mentioning her cold. Immediately, he called a doctor over. Once they confirmed it was nothing serious—just rest needed—he finally relaxed.

Since he was still recovering, he stayed a few more days. And during that time? He stuck to Yara like glue. Wherever she went, he followed. Even when she went to the restroom, he'd wait right outside.

The nurses caught on quick. Anytime they saw one of them, they'd glance around—yep, the other was always nearby.

Everywhere they went, Yara kept hearing the same comments.

"Mr. Lopez and Ms. Medici are so in love! If only I could find a boyfriend like that."

"Right? Ugh, must be nice. But let's be real, we should just go to bed—at least we can dream about it."

Yara heard it all. Didn't react.

Love? Affection?

Please.

This wasn't devotion—it was surveillance.

Mateo wasn't clinging to her because he loved her. He was watching her.

She'd been different lately, and with the wedding coming up, he probably thought she was about to cause a scene. Because in his mind, if she didn't go through with it, she'd just run back to Steven.

And if that happened... how would his precious Helen ever get her happy ending?

***

A few days later, Mateo was finally discharged.

The second they got in the car, his phone rang. A friend.

"Mateo! There's gonna be a meteor shower tonight. You should bring your fiancée and come hang out!"

Meteor showers weren't common, and since the invite included Yara, Mateo agreed without hesitation.

Yara didn't want to go. But to avoid suspicion, she played along.

When they arrived, she realized fast—it wasn't just Mateo's friends. Helen was there too.

The second Mateo saw her, Yara felt his excitement. Just a flicker, gone in a heartbeat. But she caught it. He masked it quickly, pretending not to care.

Night fell, stars dotting the sky.

Then—whoosh. A streak of light flashed across the horizon.

More followed, one after another, meteors raining down in a breathtaking cascade. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Couples squeezed their hands together, friends nudged each other excitedly, and almost on cue, people shut their eyes to make wishes.

A street vendor wove through the crowd, calling out, "Wanna check out these wishing bottles? Write your wish on a slip of paper, and I'll hang it on the tree for you! Wishing under a meteor shower makes it extra lucky!"