LOGIN***“Hi, Mama.” I picked up her call. The past few days had been crazy; missing a call from her apparently meant I was in danger, and she would go all crazy. I didn’t want to deal with that.“Hi, baby. How are you feeling this morning? Did you have something to eat?”“Yes, Mama, I ate, and I’m perfectly fine. How are you?” I loved that I had a mom who cared. I’d always craved this growing up, but sometimes it felt like too much. It made me feel as if I wasn’t capable of taking care of myself.“I’m just making sure. Oh, and your aunt hasn’t been answering my calls.” She was talking about Nona, who had flown to Italy a few days ago. “I want to go and check on her. You’ll be okay, right?” Mom didn’t know about Aaliyah’s new schemes. She did know about Pablo, but I told her I had it under control.“I’m going to be fine, Mom. Go ahead.” I assured her.“Alright then, I’ll talk to you later.” After saying goodbye, she ended the call, and I was back on the line with Parker.“My class will sta
I used all my lawyer skills, but nothing made sense. There was no good explanation as to why Fiona and Aaliyah would work together. If anything, Aaliyah is supposed to hate Fiona the same way she hates me because Fiona is also her father's daughter, and as far as I was concerned, she wanted to be the only child.“What are you thinking?” I heard Christian ask, which snapped me back to reality. The more I thought of it, the more I got confused.“I don’t get it. Why would Aaliyah and Fiona work together?”“I don’t know how I didn’t see this sooner.” He sounded like he was blaming himself.“Oh no, you couldn’t. I lived with Fiona, and I didn’t see this too.”“But it wasn’t your job to spot moles. And to think she completely made me not pay attention to her. How is it that she now took over the house, only to later find out they’re working together? Like, what could be her goal?”“That I’m not sure of. But tell me, did you check on her today? I told you I received a strange call earlier th
As guessed, Derek and his wife came in, both faking smiles. I welcomed them, and they took their seats on the couch, far from the one Christian was sitting on.After the small talk and greetings, Paula asked about her daughter. “I haven’t spoken to her for about a week now,” she added. Yes, Maggie had been busy studying for finals, and with the way things were looking, it seemed like Maggie and Anthony would write from home.“It’s school. I’m sure she’s always missing your calls.”“Yeah, but she doesn’t call me back. Why?”“I’m sure she has her reasons. So, how was the trip?” I faked a smile.“It was amazing. I think Derek and I truly needed it.” She reached for his hand, and Derek covered their intertwined hands with his other one, supporting her.“We are thinking of seeing a couple’s therapist, actually,” he said.“Oh, that means the divorce is off?” I was almost excited that I didn’t need to do it.“Oh no, the divorce is on. Like Derek said, marriage destroys healthy relationships,
Okay, before you start judging me, yes, I’m not slow. This was all part of an act. Here he was, still sounding so concerned about Aaliyah, but it left me in shock, especially after just admitting I still had feelings for him, which wasn’t long ago.For a minute, I struggled to find myself. I was completely shocked, but the law classes took over. I quickly found my voice and spoke, asking if it was necessary for me to wear the ring.“I am seeing someome, you know. I’m sure Carlos won’t accept this,” I said, watching Rodrigo’s ego break. His face showed disappointment for a split second before he quickly masked it and stood up, coming toward me.“I think it is.” He asked for my hand, and I hesitated.“I can put it on myself. I know where an engagement ring goes.” I nervously laughed, but he didn’t back down.“Allow me.” He held out his open hand, and the seriousness in his tone made me wonder if perhaps this was his plan. That he was working with Christian, that there was no lady on top
Down was Rodrigo on one knee, holding out a ring. The question was clear, and if it wasn’t, the flag the people behind him held shouted volumes.‘WILL YOU REMARRY ME?!’It looked so unrealistically romantic from up here. If not for the roses I had received a few minutes ago, I would’ve thought my madness had gotten the better of me and I was hallucinating.“Oh my God, this is so romantic!” I didn’t notice when the team had gathered at the window.“What is it?” I heard Ramona ask. Naturally, she couldn’t stand up as they were working on her.“A proposal. My goodness, if he doesn’t do this, I don’t want him.”“This is actually very romantic. Most people do their proposals in private, but this one is declaring his love in public.”Okay, these people had no idea what they were saying. I admired everything for a second before I woke myself out of the foolishness.“Come on, get back to work,” I said.“Yes, of course.” They all, although hesitant, moved away from the window and got back to t
“So…” my therapist cleared her voice, “you are saying you are still in love with your ex-husband?” she asked, her voice soft, not judging but rather wanting to hear me out.“I think?” I wasn’t sure.“Okay, let me just say I am proud that you’re admitting it. Only a few have such courage,” she said, and damn, she was right. I even convinced myself since I returned not to feel a thing. I played it well, but that broke when he announced his proposal to her.“I mean, am I wrong for feeling so?”“No, no, you’re not wrong. We can’t control who our heart desires.”“Yes, but still, after what he did to me. I want to stop. He’s an awful man. I know he’s an amazing father, but he doesn’t love me. I shouldn’t feel this way.”“I see. Can you please tell me exactly how you feel?”“Okay…” I breathed. “When I returned, I thought all was well. Then he started making moves on me. He intentionally wanted to work with me, and now that I think about it, I think I fell for him.”“Because of the attention?







