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CH 22

Author: bebeeizrael
last update Last Updated: 2026-02-25 20:06:19

**Mateo's POV**

 

I checked my phone again. 

Nothing. 

No call. No text. No angry voice note. No "fuck you Mateo" message. 

Just silence. She looked and acted like she knew something. Like she wanted to say more yesterday. She sounded angry.

 

Isabella was pissed and I just wouldn't say the right thing.

 

I fucked up. 

Shouldn't have gone to her place last night. Shouldn't have let her see me bleeding like some dumbass who can't even take a punch from a junkie. Or someone that fell trying to save a lowlife crap. But I did. And now she's gone quiet. Radio fvcking silence.

 

I rolled over. Clock said 9 a.m. I'd been staring at the ceiling since 4. Couldn't sleep. Kept replaying her face - that look when she said "we can't keep doing this." Like she was cutting her own wrist.

 

I should've told her everything. 

About Valentina. 

About Lucian. 

About how we were never married, never together like that, just a one-night mistake that turned into twelve years of child support and custody fights. 

I should've said it right there on her couch while she patched my nose. 

 

But I didn't. What about Lucian? Calling his mother yesterday from my room. He might be a kid but he seems smart.

 

I should have.

Because what if she looked at me the way she looked when she heard Lucian's name? Like she didn't want to be anywhere near a man with a kid. A kid who's half mine, half that woman's poison. 

 

She was a one night too. I should have remembered and know about my so called best friend's daughter.

 

I dragged myself out of bed. Shower. Hot. Scalding. Tried to burn the guilt off. Didn't work.

 

Phone rang while I was rinsing shampoo out of my eyes. 

I grabbed it fast - hoping it was her.

 

Valentina. The heck?!.

 

I put it on speaker. Stepped under the spray again.

 

"Mateo!"

 

She sounded pissed and excited. Classic Valentina cocktail - alarming as hell.

 

"How's your new chick? Isabella."

 

The way she spat the name made me smile - dark, slow. She's jealous. Good. Let her choke on it.

 

"You know people are already talking," she went on. "Seeing you with her. She's getting popular fast."

 

The heck does she mean by famous?

 

I pictured her - fixing her hair in some overpriced mirror, rolling her eyes, screaming inside while she pretends to be calm.

 

"Isabella a sweet girl," I said casually. "Faithful too and I will be taking out today."

 

Silence on her end. Then a hiss.

 

"You're lying about taking her out today."

 

I almost laughed. I was lying. 

But she didn't need to know that.

 

"I'm gonna give her the day off," I said. "Take her somewhere nice. She deserves better"

 

I scrubbed my back harder. Pictured Bell's face when I said it. Pictured her believing me. Pictured her hating me when she finds out the truth.

 

"Stop stalking me, Valentina," I said. "It's been twelve years. Get over it."

 

She laughed - sharp.

 

"You're naked right now, aren't you?"

 

I glanced down. Yeah. Shower. Naked. So what?

 

"Bye, Val. Lucian's coming for his visit soon."

 

I hung up before she could reply. Dropped the phone on the counter. Let it slide toward the sink. Didn't care if it drowned.

 

Message popped up - Ethan.

 

**Won't make it today. Sorry.**

 

What the fuck?

 

Ethan never cancels. Never texts like that. Something's off.

 

I was about to call him when the bathroom door flew open.

 

Lucian.

 

Staring. Silent. No knock. No warning.

 

"Get the fuck out," I snapped.

 

He closed it. Fast.

 

That kid... no boundaries. Just like his mother.

 

I dried off. Dressed. Black suit. Usual. Felt like armor today.

 

Lucian was in my room. Going through my wallet. Pulled out a couple notes. Smiled like he earned them.

 

"Son," I said. Calm. "You gotta learn privacy."

 

He just grinned.

 

"Mr. Caldwell's outside."

 

I froze.

 

Checked my phone. Ethan's message again.

 

Silence.

 

I finished dressing. Lucian watched the whole time - no shame.

 

"Do me a favor," he said suddenly. "Take me to work today."

 

I laughed - short. Dry. I wanted to ask why he was really doing in my room last night. Why this sudden happiness?

 

"Your mom called you already, huh?"

 

He frowned. Looked guilty for half a second.

 

"Other kids talk about 'Take Your Child to Work Day'," he said. "Sounds fun."

 

I studied him.

 

Maybe he just wanted time with me. 

Maybe Valentina put him up to it. 

Either way - I couldn't kill the hope in his eyes.

 

"Fine," I said. "But you're going to your mom's next week. Why not go to her work?"

 

Lucian's face changed. Hardened.

 

"I know you're doing this because of that cheapskate gold digger, Isabella," he snapped. "When does she even die?" 

 

I stared. I knew his stalking mother already told him about her 

 

He stared back - angry. Hurt. Twelve years old and already full of poison.

 

I didn't answer. 

Just grabbed my keys.

 

"Let's go."

 

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