CHAPTER TWO - UNSAID WORDS

Valerie remained under the tree long after Alejandro left her standing there with her heart trembling and her thoughts tangled beyond repair. The garden, once peaceful, now felt charged with a new energy she could not explain. She pressed her palm over her belly, whispering to the child growing inside her, trying to steady her breath even though her pulse refused to calm.

She had never imagined a day would come when Alejandro Rodriguez, the powerful CEO whose quiet confidence could steal air from any room, would say she made him forget who he was. She repeated the words in her mind, as though analyzing them might soften the shock. Instead, it only deepened it.

The breeze lifted the hem of her dress and carried the scent of roses around her. The sunlight filtered through leaves overhead and sprinkled her skin with warmth. She tried to absorb the calmness of nature, but the memory of his gaze burned through the peace like fire.

She needed distance from him. She needed distance from everything before it destroyed her.

When she finally rose, her legs felt weak. She walked slowly toward the mansion, holding the railing whenever she felt the weight of pregnancy pull her balance. The house stood like an elegant monument of wealth and silence, the white walls gleaming beneath the morning light. Inside, she could already sense tension floating in the air like a shadow.

Isabella was in the living room with her phone pressed to her ear, her posture stiff as she paced back and forth. When she noticed Valerie walking in, she quickly lowered her voice, ended the call, and forced a small smile.

“There you are,” Isabella said, smoothing her hair. “I thought you were resting.”

Valerie kept her tone gentle. “I needed some air.”

Isabella studied her face, searching for something. “You look bothered.”

“I am only tired,” Valerie replied softly.

Isabella nodded, although she did not believe it. A strange coldness passed through her eyes, quick and subtle but sharp enough to cut. Valerie felt it instantly.

Isabella gestured toward the stairs. “Sit and rest. I do not want stress affecting the baby.”

Valerie hesitated. “Is Alejandro still here?”

Isabella paused. “Why would you ask that?”

“I saw him in the garden earlier,” Valerie whispered.

Isabella blinked. “You spoke to him?”

“We only talked about my health,” Valerie said quickly.

A faint frown appeared on Isabella’s face. “Alright. Go rest.”

Valerie obeyed, but her chest tightened as she made her way upstairs. Isabella’s reaction lingered in her mind, unsettling and quiet.

She reached her room and sat on the bed, inhaling deeply until her heartbeat slowed. She rubbed her stomach again, and the baby responded with a gentle movement that melted some of her fear.

But the peace shattered when a soft knock touched her door.

She expected a maid or Isabella.

Instead, it was Alejandro.

He stood in the doorway looking as though he regretted approaching, yet could not stop himself. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned now, his hair messier from running his fingers through it again. His eyes softened when he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Valerie,” he said quietly.

Her breath halted. “Should you be here?”

His jaw flexed. “I needed to check on you.”

“I am fine,” she whispered, though her voice trembled.

Alejandro closed the door behind him, stepping inside with controlled tension. “I should not have walked away the way I did from the garden. It was irresponsible.”

“You did the right thing,” Valerie whispered. “We cannot afford misunderstandings.”

Alejandro exhaled deeply. “Your safety is my priority. You looked pale earlier.”

“I am alright. Truly.”

His eyes moved down to her belly and softened further. “The baby moves a lot today?”

“Yes,” she replied, her palm brushing lightly across the curve. “It feels like he recognizes every shift in my emotions.”

Alejandro stepped closer. Too close.

Valerie felt her breath shorten. “Alejandro.”

He stopped, but his gaze did not leave her. He sat on the armchair beside the bed, putting only a small distance between them. “I will not touch you,” he said. “I only want to talk.”

Valerie nodded, though her body remained tense.

“Tell me honestly,” he said, “is Isabella treating you well?”

Her heart dropped. “Why would you think she isn’t?”

“She has been distant,” Alejandro said. “She barely speaks to you. And you have been growing quieter. Something is wrong.”

Valerie swallowed hard. “She is under stress. She wants this child so much.”

Alejandro studied her carefully. “And you?”

She hesitated. “I want to finish what I promised. And then I want my life back.”

Alejandro’s gaze softened so intensely she felt heat spread inside her chest.

“You deserve peace after all of this,” he said.

She nodded. “And the money will help. It will give me a fresh start.”

His expression shifted, somewhere between pain and guilt. “Do not think for a second that you are only a transaction in this house.”

“I know what I agreed to,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he said softly, “but I see more than what you show. You carry this child with more care than anyone. I am grateful.”

The words hit her like warm light, unexpected and overwhelming.

“Alejandro,” she whispered, “please do not say things like that.”

“Why not?” His voice deepened as he leaned slightly closer. “Because it is true? Because it affects you?”

Her throat tightened. “Because it affects you.”

Alejandro froze.

They stared at each other, neither brave enough to move nor strong enough to look away. His breathing grew heavier, controlled only by sheer force.

“You need rest,” he finally said, voice strained. “I should go.”

She nodded, but he did not move.

He looked at her lips for only a moment, a moment too dangerous.

Valerie’s pulse raced.

Alejandro stood abruptly, turning away from her as if escaping temptation.

Before he reached the door, Isabella’s voice echoed from the hallway.

“Alejandro, are you in there?”

He stiffened.

Valerie’s heart stopped.

Isabella opened the door before he could answer.

Her eyes enlarged when she saw him standing inside Valerie’s room.

“Alejandro,” she said slowly, carefully, “what are you doing in here?”

Alejandro cleared his throat. “Checking on the baby. Valerie seemed unwell.”

Isabella’s gaze flickered to Valerie, but her expression changed in a way that made Valerie’s skin crawl. There was suspicion, subtle but sharp, tightening at the corners of Isabella’s mouth.

“I see,” Isabella whispered. “Next time you can call a maid. Valerie should rest without distractions.”

Alejandro nodded stiffly. “Of course.”

He left the room quickly, brushing past his wife without meeting her eyes.

Isabella waited until he was gone before stepping in and closing the door behind her. She did not speak for a long moment. She simply stared at Valerie with an expression she had never used before.

Cold.

Distant.

Valerie swallowed hard. “Isabella, nothing happened. I promise.”

Isabella walked closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor. “I never said anything happened.”

But her eyes said everything.

“I trust my husband,” Isabella said, voice too controlled. “But trust can still be bruised.”

Valerie tried to stay calm. “Isabella, please. You know I would never disrespect your home.”

Isabella’s expression softened a fraction but not enough. “Just rest,” she said. “And remember your place here.”

The words stabbed deeper than she expected.

Isabella left the room, closing the door gently, but the impact of her tone felt louder than a scream.

Valerie sat still, heart pounding painfully.

She realized something dangerous.

Isabella was no longer looking at her like family.

She was looking at her like a woman who needed to be watched.

And Alejandro had no idea the storm that was beginning to form.