We reached the nurse's station a few seconds later.A young nurse with sleek dark hair tied into a bun and a soft pink uniform approached us.Her eyes flicked between me and Raul, her expression warm but cautious."Good afternoon. How can I help you?" she asked politely.Raul didn't waste a second. "Any available doctor? I want to see them now."His voice was clipped—cold enough to make the air tense.The nurse opened her mouth, perhaps to explain protocol or ask more questions, but one look at Raul's steely glare had her lips sealing shut.She smiled tightly instead. "Please, follow me."As we walked behind her down the hallway, I elbowed him gently in the ribs. "You didn't have to be mean," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at him.He didn't respond—just kept his icy gaze ahead, jaw tight, hand never leaving mine.We stopped in front of a wooden door with a silver nameplate. The nurse turned to us, her smile softening."Doctor Helena will see you now." She opened the door wide."Thank y
💎Angel💎"She said all that?" Dad asked, his voice thick with surprise as I recounted Mom's harsh words from our fight."She's really something else," he murmured.I sighed, nodding in agreement."Where's Sarah?" I asked, curious about his new life."She took your stepsister to visit her grandparents," he explained."What's her name?""Sierra." His face lit up as he spoke about her."Does she know about me and Luca?"He smiled widely and nodded."Yes, Princess. Sarah can't have another child, and Sierra always wished for a sibling. There was no way we could explain why Sarah couldn't give her one, so we told her the truth—that she has two older siblings. She's excited to meet you both. Would you like to meet her?" he asked, a bit unsure."Of course, Dad. She's my sister." His smile widened, and he pulled me into a warm hug."We should go, Dad. I need to help with Jasira's birthday party."He nodded and we both rose to our feet."I see how much you love Raul and his family," he said s
We left the mall in silence. The entire car ride was awkward and quiet—neither of us said a word.When we pulled up to the pet store, I didn't wait for him to open the door for me—I got out on my own.The man at the entrance greeted us warmly and held the door open. As we stepped in, the sound of meowing cats made me unconsciously inch closer to Raul's side. I've always been terrified of those creatures."How can I help you, sir?" a teenage girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail and wide gray eyes approached us."Where are the puppies?" Raul asked.She smiled and led us to a section filled with small cages, each housing different dog breeds."Do you have a specific breed in mind?" she asked politely."Yes. The Maltese."She nodded and guided us to a cream-colored sofa tucked in the corner. We sat, and she soon returned carrying two cages, each packed with squirming, yipping Maltese pups of different colors.She went back to bring more, and Raul asked her to let them out.As soon as
💎Angel💎".....then add the vegetables once it's fried," Jazira said, guiding me through the third recipe of the day."Excuse me, Jazira," I said with a smile, reaching for my buzzing."Tesoro, I need you," Raul's gruff voice crackled through the line. I glanced at Jazira, who was whisking eggs with focus. I couldn't just abandon her."Give me thirty minutes, Raul. I'm still helping your mom.""Okay, hurry," he murmured before I hung up and tucked the phone into my back pocket."Was that Raul?" she asked, her tone warm. I nodded, still smiling."How didn't I meet you first?" she teased.I laughed, softly. "The first isn't always the best. What matters is we found each other."Then I lowered my voice a little, curious. "But... what made you choose Catalina?"She sighed and resumed mixing ingredients while I focused on the pasta sauce."I thought she was perfect—smart, beautiful, successful. Most importantly, not Nikolai's type, which I assumed made her right for Raul."She paused, gla
Angel's POV.The sun dipped low, painting the sky in dull orange hues that matched the fire crackling near the shore.Jazira had insisted on an outdoor dinner, and a large round table was set close to the water's edge, laden with food."Wow, this is amazing," Bianco said, his eyes sparkling as he eyed the spread."Tell us, Raul, when's the wedding?" Mia's question hit like a spotlight, and all eyes turned to us.I ducked my head, cheeks burning with shyness."We haven't decided yet," Raul replied curtly, shooting his smirking sisters a glare.Joanna shoved a forkful of pasta into her mouth."How'd you get rid of Blondie?""I haven't completely, Jay," he responded, his tone clipped."I'm surprised she hasn't pulled something stupid yet," Bianco chimed in."She'd have to think twice," Mia added. "Can't risk ruining her 'perfect' reputation.""Exactly," Raul added. "She can't use the media against us—everyone knows about Angel and me."Jazira's brow furrowed. "What if she does something
💎Angel💎"Wow, this is so beautiful," I murmured, letting my fingers glide over the smooth, white leather seat of the hydrocycle."Come on, let's get on it," Raul urged.I gave him a wide-eyed look and shook my head. "N-no, Raul, I can't ride that monster."He rolled his eyes and grabbed my wrist."You're not riding it, tesoro. You're riding on it."I blinked. "What's the difference?"He smirked. "One has a preposition, the other doesn't. Now come on."His hands found my waist, hoisting me onto the seat with ease."Raul, please... if I have to be on this thing, I want to be with you," I pleaded, holding his wrist tightly.He raised a brow. "You get me thinking sometimes, Caramella. If you're not riding with me, then who?"My jaw dropped. "W-wait, you can ride this?"The smug look on his face answered that for me."Hold on tight," he warned.And before I could beg him to reconsider, we were already speeding off into the water.I clung to him, my head pressed against his back, screamin