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Chapter Twenty Four: A Real Proposal
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2025-04-30 04:01:14
Grace Alegria#Romance #HiddenSecrets #Billionaire #SlowBurn
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Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Five: Wedding Preparations
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 currentsâwhite silk, champagne tulle, ivory lace.But amidst the chaos, Valeria stood in the center of it allâdazed, 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, youâre marrying the countryâs most eligible bachelor. Itâs giving Cinderella, but with espresso and legal contracts."Valeria blinked. "Do you hear yourself?""I do. And you should too. Youâre glowing.ââIâm sweating.ââFrom love.âValeria rolled her eyes, but the warmth spreading through her
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-30Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Six: Bachelor/Bachelorette Night Drama
It was supposed to be a fun, carefree nightâa 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 sheâd chosen for the bachelorette party. It was daringâdeep 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 didnât involve wedding plans. But something inside her told her tonight wasnât going to go as planned.When she arrived at the venueâa
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-30Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter 27: Wedding Day Tears
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 jasmineâher chosen bouquetâfilled 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 hadnât slept. Not after Alejandroâs ex, Camila, had shown up at the bachelorette party uninvited, with a smug smile and a folder of photos she threatened to leak.âHeâs not who you think he is,â Camila had whispered in Valeriaâs ear, just before being escorted out by security. âYouâll regret saying yes.âValeria had laughed it off at the time, pretending to be unfazed. But all night, her mind spiraledâwhat if there was truth in Camilaâs warning? What if everything sheâd started to believe about Alejandroâthe
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-30Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Eight: Wedding Night
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 â a romantic clichÃĐ 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 â dreamy, surreal, and full of so much emotion that she hadnât stopped smiling since she said âI do.âBut 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
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-30Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter One: Coffee, Chaos, and the CEO
Monterrey, Mexico â 7:42 a.m.The office of Herrera & Sons was as cold and polished as its CEO â sleek lines, steel accents, and silence sharp enough to cut glass.And into that silence stormed Valeria Mendoza, twenty-six, five-foot-five, soaked in caramel macchiato, and dangerously close to snapping.âÂĄMaldita sea!â she hissed, dabbing at her blouse with a napkin that was failing its lifeâs mission.The receptionist flinched. âSeÃąorita Mendoza, are you okay?âValeria forced a tight smile, clutching her ruined coffee cup. âFine. Just another glamorous Monday of burning my chest and soul.âShe strode toward the elevator, high ponytail swaying, heels clicking with purpose. She had five minutes to get to the top floor and deliver updated design boards to The Ice King himself â Alejandro Herrera.CEO. Architect. Walking thundercloud in a designer suit.Valeria had been Alejandroâs assistant for exactly four weeks. In that time, he had:Learned her name (barely).Criticized her font choice
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-04Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Two: Playing Pretend in Prada
âYou're late.âAlejandro didnât bother looking at her as she stepped into the sleek black town car waiting by the curb. His eyes remained glued to his phone, thumb flicking through unread emails like they were beneath him.Valeria yanked the door shut and exhaled, annoyed. âYou're lucky I agreed to this insane idea at all.âHe finally glanced up â crisp suit, sharp jawline, a pair of sunglasses that screamed I donât do patience.âAnd yet here you are.âShe narrowed her eyes. âOnly because you offered to triple my salary. And I need to pay off my momâs hospital bills.âAlejandro looked at her for a beat longer than necessary, as if trying to read between her words. Then he returned to his phone, voice flat. âYouâll need to smile more.ââIâll smile when youâre less of a jackass.âHe almost smirked. Almost.Inside the Town CarValeria smoothed down her borrowed designer dress â a sleek off-the-shoulder navy number pulled from the firm's PR closet at the last second. She looked like she b
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-04Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Three: Dinner with the Devilâs Approval
Valeria stood outside Alejandroâs penthouse door, wine bottle in one hand, nerves twisting her stomach like ribbon. She was dressed in a fitted emerald green dress â conservative enough for a family dinner, but flattering enough to make Alejandro stare. Which she definitely wasnât hoping for. At all.She exhaled.You can do this. Pretend. Smile. Eat. Lie. Leave.She rang the bell.The door opened instantly, revealing Alejandro â barefoot, in a black button-down rolled up at the sleeves and charcoal trousers. Casual. Sinfully casual.Valeriaâs brain took a second to reboot.âYouâre late,â he said, voice flat.âYouâre not wearing shoes.âHis mouth twitched. âYou brought wine?ââYou said to look convincing. Nothing screams loving fiancÃĐe like a good Malbec.âHe took the bottle, their fingers brushing briefly. âYou lookââValeria raised a brow. âWhat?âHis eyes lingered a second too long. âConvincing.âShe hated how smug it made her feel.Inside the PenthouseThe place was too clean. Mode
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-04Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Four: The Ex Factor
Valeria had barely survived the penthouse dinner when her phone buzzed again the next morning.Alejandro: Be ready at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Formal attire. Company gala. Do not be late.She groaned. Another night of playing pretend, plastering on a smile while resisting the urge to punch him â or worse, kiss him again.She hated how her lips still tingled from almost kissing him on that damn balcony.She texted back:Valeria: Only if you promise not to look at me like that again.The typing bubble appeared. Then vanished.Coward.Later That Night â At the GalaThe Hotel Quinta Real ballroom was a wonderland of silver chandeliers, string quartets, and old money perfume. Valeriaâs emerald green dress shimmered under the soft lighting, hugging her curves like it had been sewn onto her skin.She felt Alejandroâs eyes on her the moment she walked in. He looked dangerously perfect in a navy tux, his dark hair slicked back, a glass of champagne in one hand.âNice of you to show up,â he murmured wh
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-04-05
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Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Eight: Wedding Night
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 â a romantic clichÃĐ 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 â dreamy, surreal, and full of so much emotion that she hadnât stopped smiling since she said âI do.âBut 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
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter 27: Wedding Day Tears
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 jasmineâher chosen bouquetâfilled 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 hadnât slept. Not after Alejandroâs ex, Camila, had shown up at the bachelorette party uninvited, with a smug smile and a folder of photos she threatened to leak.âHeâs not who you think he is,â Camila had whispered in Valeriaâs ear, just before being escorted out by security. âYouâll regret saying yes.âValeria had laughed it off at the time, pretending to be unfazed. But all night, her mind spiraledâwhat if there was truth in Camilaâs warning? What if everything sheâd started to believe about Alejandroâthe
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Six: Bachelor/Bachelorette Night Drama
It was supposed to be a fun, carefree nightâa 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 sheâd chosen for the bachelorette party. It was daringâdeep 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 didnât involve wedding plans. But something inside her told her tonight wasnât going to go as planned.When she arrived at the venueâa
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Five: Wedding Preparations
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 currentsâwhite silk, champagne tulle, ivory lace.But amidst the chaos, Valeria stood in the center of it allâdazed, 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, youâre marrying the countryâs most eligible bachelor. Itâs giving Cinderella, but with espresso and legal contracts."Valeria blinked. "Do you hear yourself?""I do. And you should too. Youâre glowing.ââIâm sweating.ââFrom love.âValeria rolled her eyes, but the warmth spreading through her
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Four: A Real Proposal
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 wasnât thinking about tomorrow. She was lost in the silenceâĶ and Alejandro.Behind her, the glass door opened with a soft click.He didnât 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.âWhy does it feel like the air is holding its breath?â she asked, not turning.Alejandroâs voice was low. âBecause it is.âShe turned then. He was in a navy blazer, no tie, his shirt undone at the top. There was something different in his postureâunguarded. And something about his eyesâĶ they werenât the sharp daggers she was used to. They were oceans, stormy and unsure.âI ruined everything,â he said quietly.Her lips parted, but she didnât interrupt. She let the conf
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Three: New Beginnings
Paris â Late AfternoonThe silence in the car was heavy, not uncomfortable but potentâlike a string pulled taut between two people whoâd hurt each other more deeply than theyâd 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.Alejandroâs fingers flexed on the steering wheel. He hadnât taken his eyes off the road, but his voice was low, calm, deliberate.âWhy didnât you tell me about the legal mix-up?â he asked.Valeriaâs breath caught.âI wanted to,â she admitted. âBut every time I tried, you made it clear I was just a pawn in a business deal. A beautiful, replaceable prop.âAlejandro winced. The words stung because they were trueâat least, back then.âI was scared,â she continued. âScared that if I said somethingâĶ it would all collapse. That I would lose even the illusion of being wanted by you.âHe finally looked at her, just for a second, but it fel
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty Two: The Truth Shared
Monterrey, Mexico â 10:12 a.m.The sun pierced through the tall windows of Alejandroâs 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 hadnât spoken in weeks. Not really. Not beyond that desperate moment on the rooftop when heâd almost kissed her. And nowâhere they were again, oceans apart in the same room.âI didnât expect you to actually come,â he said softly, as if speaking too loudly would break whatever fragile thread tethered them.âI wasnât sure I would,â she replied, voice low. âBut... you left a letter. And your driver.ââI didnât know what else to do.âHer heart gave a painful thud.Alejandro Herrera, the man who once barked commands like they were gospel, now stood there stripped of defense
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty One: The Grand Gesture
Monterrey, Mexico â 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 â not even the day he took over Herrera & Sons â 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 heâd 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 wasnât answering his calls. Hadnât for a week. Since the truth about her identity exploded in the media â âBillionaire Heiress Hiding in Plain Sightâ â Valeria had vanished.Alejandro had tried everything. Heâd driven to her motherâs care facility only to find out sheâd paid the remaining bills in full and moved her to a priv
Married by Mistake, Loved by Design   Chapter Twenty: A Real Wedding
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 quietâexcept for the private hacienda tucked behind flowering bougainvillea and carved wooden gates. Today wasnât about press. It wasnât 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 fullâof anticipation, of wonder, of something close to joy. He never thought heâd 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. âYou ready, man?â Alejandro met his reflection in the mirror. For the first time in years, he didnât see the cold CEO. He saw a man softened by l
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