The invitation arrived in a sleek black envelope, sealed with gold foil and far too much drama.
The Annual Gala for Latinx Architects & Designers.
Valeria stared at the RSVP card like it might explode.
She’d been to events before — gallery openings, small design expos — but this? This was the Met Gala of architecture. And now she wasn’t just a guest.
She was Alejandro Herrera’s wife.
Even if only on paper.
Her stomach twisted.
The Night of the Gala
Valeria stood in front of the full-length mirror in a wine-red, silk satin dress. The slit was dangerously high, the neckline dangerously low, and the fabric clung to her like temptation itself.
When she walked downstairs, Alejandro stood at the base of the staircase waiting.
And for the first time, he forgot how to breathe.
“You look…” His voice cracked. “...like a beautiful mistake I’d gladly keep making.”
She rolled her eyes — but her cheeks flushed. “You’re full of lines, Herrera.”
“And you’re full of surprises, señora Herrera.”
At the Gala
The ballroom shimmered with crystal chandeliers and high fashion. Every eye was on them as they entered.
And Alejandro played the part of devoted husband flawlessly — arm around her waist, soft whispers in her ear, the occasional stolen glance that sent her pulse into overdrive.
She hated how easy it felt.
Everything was going fine until a familiar voice cut through the crowd.
“Well, well. Look who finally sealed the deal.”
Valeria turned — and found herself face-to-face with Elena Torres in a slinky emerald dress and a serpent’s smile.
“Elena,” Alejandro said tightly.
“Señora Herrera,” Elena purred to Valeria. “Tell me — what’s it like being married to a man with so many… unfinished chapters?”
Valeria lifted her glass. “Thrilling. Every day’s a plot twist.”
“Hmm.” Elena’s smile curled. “Be careful, cariño. Some plot twists end in heartbreak.”
With that, she sashayed away, leaving behind the scent of power and poison.
The Dance Floor
“Let’s dance,” Alejandro said abruptly, tugging Valeria toward the floor.
She resisted. “Alejandro, I’m not—”
“I need to touch you, Valeria.”
That stopped her.
He looked down at her, eyes burning. “Just this once. No act. Just us.”
She nodded once.
And then they were dancing — slowly, intimately — his hand on the small of her back, her fingers brushing the sharp line of his jaw.
Her body betrayed her. Melted into him. Matched his rhythm.
“I hate that you make me feel this way,” she whispered.
“I hate that I want to kiss you more than I want to breathe,” he whispered back.
Her heart skipped.
But she didn’t pull away.
Not when his fingers traced gentle circles against the exposed skin of her lower back.
Not when he leaned in like he might kiss her in front of a hundred people.
And definitely not when he whispered something she wasn’t ready for:
“There’s something you don’t know about me.”
Later That Night – Herrera Mansion
Valeria sat at her vanity, still in the red dress, heart still racing.
Alejandro hadn’t kissed her.
And that line — what did it mean?
There’s something you don’t know.
A memory stirred. Something Elena said…
Unfinished chapters.
She opened her laptop and began to dig.
Then she found it.
A blurry image from seven years ago:
But not just any woman.
A bride.
Valeria stared.
The article was in Spanish. The headline read:
La boda secreta del heredero Herrera termina en escándalo.
The secret wedding of the Herrera heir ends in scandal.
She translated quickly.
He was married before.
And worse?
No one knew what happened to his wife.
Valeria didn’t sleep that night.She sat frozen at the edge of her bed, the laptop screen still glowing.Alejandro had been married before.And somehow, he had never mentioned it.She read the article three times. The details were scarce — intentionally buried, maybe. The woman’s name was Lucía Marín. A journalist from Guadalajara. The marriage had lasted all of six months before it imploded in a media blackout.The final sentence was what stuck with her:Neither party commented. The bride disappeared from the public eye.Valeria’s skin prickled.How do you marry someone, erase them from your life, and then pretend they never existed?She slammed the laptop shut, heart pounding, and marched straight down the hallway.Alejandro’s RoomShe didn’t knock.He was shirtless, standing near his window with a glass of whiskey in hand, bathed in city light and shadows.When he turned, his eyes darkened. “Valeria—?”“You were married before.”No hesitation. No warm-up. Just the truth.His face s
Valeria sat on the floor of her room, photos spread out in front of her like shrapnel. Alejandro holding Lucía’s hand. Lucía wearing a wedding band. Lucía… in a hospital gown. Seven months ago. That was the part that wouldn't stop echoing in her head. Seven months ago, Alejandro had stood in a hospital room with a woman he claimed to have “lost years ago.” And now he was married again? She didn’t know what was worse — the lies, or the way her heart still ached for him anyway. The knock came like thunder. She didn’t answer. The door opened anyway. Alejandro stepped in, hair tousled, breath sharp. He must’ve run here. “You got it,” he said quietly, eyes darting to the envelope in her lap. Valeria looked up slowly, her expression blank. “What was she doing in a hospital, Alejandro?” He didn’t speak. Not right away. Then, voice low: “She was pregnant.” Valeria’s stomach flipped. “I didn’t know,” he said quickly. “I hadn’t seen her in years. She showed
The city lights of the City of Monterrey twinkled beneath them as Alejandro and Valeria stood side by side on the rooftop terrace. The air was cool, a slight breeze tugging at their clothes as they leaned against the low stone wall, looking out at the skyline. For a moment, everything was silent—just the hum of the city below and the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.But silence, like everything else between them, had become charged with something more.Valeria could feel the weight of Alejandro’s presence beside her. His broad shoulders, his strong scent, the subtle tension in the air whenever their gazes met. She couldn’t ignore it anymore. She couldn’t pretend that the flutter in her chest when their hands brushed was just coincidence, that the warmth that spread through her veins when he smiled was something she could easily shake off.They were supposed to be pretending.This was just a business arrangement. A contract.But why did it feel like everything was slowly unraveling?
Lucía’s heels clicked against the marble floor of Herrera Designs headquarters like a warning bell. She strode past the receptionist without a word, her presence as chilling as it was commanding. Today, she wore crimson—a power suit that seemed to bleed authority with every step.The executive boardroom was already buzzing when she entered. Conversations halted. Eyes turned.Alejandro stood at the head of the long table, jaw tight, knuckles white around the edge of the chair. “Lucía.”She smiled sweetly, sliding into a vacant seat. “Good morning, gentlemen.”He narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here?”“Exercising my rights,” she said, tossing a thick stack of documents onto the table. “As the new owner of twenty-one percent of Herrera Designs.”Gasps echoed.“You’re bluffing,” Alejandro growled.She chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “Check the signatures. I bought your cousin Emiliano’s shares. He needed the cash. I needed leverage. Win-win.”Alejandro’s pulse pounded in his e
The luxury office of Herrera Designs had never been colder. Alejandro sat behind his desk, unmoving, eyes locked on the email from legal confirming Lucía’s new authority. The woman had played the long game, and she played it well. Twenty-one percent wasn’t enough to oust him outright—but it was enough to cause chaos. He didn’t have time for chaos. Not when he was still fighting to win Valeria back. “Sir,” his assistant said quietly over the intercom. “You have someone waiting in the lobby.” “If it’s Lucía again, tell her I’m busy choking on my pride.” “It’s not her. It’s... Valeria.” Alejandro’s breath caught. He was up and out of the chair before he could think. The elevator ride down felt like a century. When the doors opened, she was there—cool, collected, breathtaking. Her hair was tied back
The air between them was different now. After the boardroom showdown, after Valeria had exposed Lucía and stood by Alejandro when he needed it most, the lines they had drawn in their fake marriage blurred dangerously. They didn’t speak on the ride home. Words weren’t enough. Their bodies hummed with a tension that had nowhere else to go but forward. Alejandro opened the door to the penthouse and let her walk in first. She didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate. She went straight to the bedroom, then turned to him, waiting. It was a dare. An invitation. A challenge. He followed her, his heart thundering. For weeks, they’d played the part of husband and wife for the press, for his family, for the company. But tonight, they weren’t acting. Not anymore. He closed the door behind him. Slowly. “Are you sure?” he asked, his voice hoarse, betraying how much he needed her answer to be yes. She nodded. “I don’t want to think. Not tonight.” He crossed the room in three strides and pulle
Alejandro didn’t sleep the night Valeria left. He barely blinked. Her absence clung to the air like smoke, curling into every space of the penthouse. The note sat on the counter, a cruel echo of the way she had once entered his life—quiet, precise, and impossible to ignore. By morning, he was at his office, jaw clenched, eyes bloodshot. He buried himself in meetings, emails, design approvals—anything to keep from thinking about the way her skin had felt beneath his fingers. The way she had looked at him right before everything changed. But nothing could keep the memories at bay. Especially not when his assistant walked in holding a thin manila envelope with no return address. “This came for you. Hand-delivered,” she said, setting it on his desk. He stared at it. Something felt off. He opened it slowly. Inside was a single glossy photo—Valeria, younger, standing beside a man Alejandro recognized instantly: Marcos Vargas, CEO of ArqLine, Alejandro’s biggest rival in the architectur
The city blurred past the window of Alejandro’s car, but he wasn’t seeing it. Not really. He was driving without direction, one hand clenched around the steering wheel, the other clutching his phone like it might give him answers. But no message came. No apology. No explanation that would make what she’d done any less unbearable. She had lied. Lied with her silence, with her smile, with every kiss she had given him while hiding the truth about who she really was. And yet—he missed her. The scent of her shampoo still lingered on his pillow. The ghost of her laugh haunted the kitchen, the terrace, the office. And that night—the night they had finally crossed the line—he couldn’t erase the way she had looked at him. Vulnerable. Honest. Like she was handing him her whole heart. So why did it feel like he had never known her at all? Valeria stood in the middle of her studio, arms wrapped tightly around her waist. The air smelled like dust and turpentine, and her last sketch lay unfinis
The gentle hum of the ocean drifted in through the balcony doors of the honeymoon suite, casting a peaceful lull over the room. The lights were dimmed, the scent of white lilies filled the air, and the bed was adorned with scattered rose petals — a romantic cliché that somehow felt just right.Valeria stood near the window in a silk robe, her heart still fluttering with the echoes of the day's whirlwind. Her fingers brushed the edge of the windowpane as she looked out at the dark horizon. The ceremony had been perfect — dreamy, surreal, and full of so much emotion that she hadn’t stopped smiling since she said “I do.”But now, reality had settled into the stillness. They were married. For real. Not for a contract. Not for image. But for love.Alejandro was in the adjoining room, changing out of his tuxedo, and each second ticked louder in her ears.Was he nervous, too?Would tonight be different now that everything between them was real?She heard the soft knock before he stepped into
The morning sun filtered through sheer ivory curtains, casting a soft glow over the hotel suite. Valeria sat in front of the mirror, her heart racing as her makeup artist dabbed foundation onto her already pale face. The scent of peonies and jasmine—her chosen bouquet—filled the air, but it did little to soothe the tremor in her chest.This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Yet, after what happened the night before, everything felt like a lie waiting to explode.She hadn’t slept. Not after Alejandro’s ex, Camila, had shown up at the bachelorette party uninvited, with a smug smile and a folder of photos she threatened to leak.“He’s not who you think he is,” Camila had whispered in Valeria’s ear, just before being escorted out by security. “You’ll regret saying yes.”Valeria had laughed it off at the time, pretending to be unfazed. But all night, her mind spiraled—what if there was truth in Camila’s warning? What if everything she’d started to believe about Alejandro—the
It was supposed to be a fun, carefree night—a night to celebrate the end of the single life, to laugh, dance, and let loose. But nothing with Alejandro Herrera was ever as simple as it seemed.Valeria stood in front of the mirror in her hotel room, eyes flicking to the stunning dress she’d chosen for the bachelorette party. It was daring—deep red, with a plunging neckline and just the right amount of sparkle. She had to admit, it was the kind of dress that made her feel powerful, the kind that made her forget about the mess that had come with the fake engagement, the messy emotions, and all the hidden truths that neither of them had dared to confront.She glanced at the clock. Alejandro was waiting downstairs. There was no turning back.The plan was simple: a night out with her closest friends, with some champagne, dancing, and maybe a little fun that didn’t involve wedding plans. But something inside her told her tonight wasn’t going to go as planned.When she arrived at the venue—a
The countdown had begun.With less than two weeks to the wedding, the Herrera estate buzzed like a beehive. Staff rushed up and down the corridors. Event planners barked instructions. Garment bags flowed in like river currents—white silk, champagne tulle, ivory lace.But amidst the chaos, Valeria stood in the center of it all—dazed, overwhelmed, and holding a piece of pistachio cake between her fingers like it was a life raft."I can't believe this is happening," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the classical quartet rehearsing on the balcony. "I'm marrying Alejandro Herrera. And not as a decoy."Mirabel leaned over the tasting table, popping a chocolate truffle into her mouth. "Babe, you’re marrying the country’s most eligible bachelor. It’s giving Cinderella, but with espresso and legal contracts."Valeria blinked. "Do you hear yourself?""I do. And you should too. You’re glowing.”“I’m sweating.”“From love.”Valeria rolled her eyes, but the warmth spreading through her
The waves crashed against the rocks as the sun began its descent behind the Monterrey skyline, casting golden hues across the private balcony where Valeria stood. The breeze tugged at the soft fabric of her cream dress, and for once, she wasn’t thinking about tomorrow. She was lost in the silence… and Alejandro.Behind her, the glass door opened with a soft click.He didn’t speak immediately. Just stood there, watching her, hands tucked into his pockets like he was afraid if he moved too quickly, the moment might vanish.“Why does it feel like the air is holding its breath?” she asked, not turning.Alejandro’s voice was low. “Because it is.”She turned then. He was in a navy blazer, no tie, his shirt undone at the top. There was something different in his posture—unguarded. And something about his eyes… they weren’t the sharp daggers she was used to. They were oceans, stormy and unsure.“I ruined everything,” he said quietly.Her lips parted, but she didn’t interrupt. She let the conf
Paris – Late AfternoonThe silence in the car was heavy, not uncomfortable but potent—like a string pulled taut between two people who’d hurt each other more deeply than they’d ever intended.Valeria looked out the window, the city blurring past. Paris had never seemed so soft, so forgiving. Or maybe it was her heart, bruised and raw, starting to beat again.Alejandro’s fingers flexed on the steering wheel. He hadn’t taken his eyes off the road, but his voice was low, calm, deliberate.“Why didn’t you tell me about the legal mix-up?” he asked.Valeria’s breath caught.“I wanted to,” she admitted. “But every time I tried, you made it clear I was just a pawn in a business deal. A beautiful, replaceable prop.”Alejandro winced. The words stung because they were true—at least, back then.“I was scared,” she continued. “Scared that if I said something… it would all collapse. That I would lose even the illusion of being wanted by you.”He finally looked at her, just for a second, but it fel
Monterrey, Mexico – 10:12 a.m.The sun pierced through the tall windows of Alejandro’s penthouse, casting sharp lines across the polished floors. But nothing about the day felt warm.Valeria stood at the edge of the living room, fingers trembling as she gripped the strap of her bag like a lifeline. Alejandro stood across from her, freshly shaven, suit pressed, but eyes worn with the weight of days lost in solitude.They hadn’t spoken in weeks. Not really. Not beyond that desperate moment on the rooftop when he’d almost kissed her. And now—here they were again, oceans apart in the same room.“I didn’t expect you to actually come,” he said softly, as if speaking too loudly would break whatever fragile thread tethered them.“I wasn’t sure I would,” she replied, voice low. “But... you left a letter. And your driver.”“I didn’t know what else to do.”Her heart gave a painful thud.Alejandro Herrera, the man who once barked commands like they were gospel, now stood there stripped of defense
Monterrey, Mexico – 8:04 p.m.Alejandro Herrera had been to countless galas, awards nights, and investor dinners. He had walked red carpets, negotiated million-dollar deals, and delivered speeches in front of hundreds.But nothing — not even the day he took over Herrera & Sons — made his hands sweat the way this evening did.The garden outside Valeria's apartment complex was quiet, lit only by a string of fairy lights he’d personally hung in a mad, last-minute decision. A small table with two chairs sat under a blooming jacaranda tree, lavender petals gently carpeting the stone floor. And in his trembling hand was a velvet box.He checked his watch. 8:05 p.m.She wasn’t answering his calls. Hadn’t for a week. Since the truth about her identity exploded in the media — “Billionaire Heiress Hiding in Plain Sight” — Valeria had vanished.Alejandro had tried everything. He’d driven to her mother’s care facility only to find out she’d paid the remaining bills in full and moved her to a priv
The sun rose over San Miguel de Allende in a golden blaze, casting warm light across the cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. The small town, chosen deliberately by Valeria for its charm and privacy, was still quiet—except for the private hacienda tucked behind flowering bougainvillea and carved wooden gates. Today wasn’t about press. It wasn’t about contracts or damage control. Today was about them. Alejandro stood in front of the tall mirror, adjusting the crisp collar of his white linen shirt. His hands were steady, but his chest was full—of anticipation, of wonder, of something close to joy. He never thought he’d feel this again. Not after the betrayals. Not after the loneliness. But then Valeria happened. And everything had changed. Outside the room, his younger brother Emilio knocked once and stepped in with a grin. “You ready, man?” Alejandro met his reflection in the mirror. For the first time in years, he didn’t see the cold CEO. He saw a man softened by l