For a long time, neither of them moved. Elise stayed pressed against Alejandro, listening to the steady thud of his heartbeat under her ear. Her fingers still curled into his shirt, as though letting go would shatter the fragile peace between them.When he finally eased back enough to see her face, his eyes were softer, though the storm hadn’t fully cleared.“You know,” he murmured, his thumb brushing across her cheek, “you really are my peace, and because you know, I think you take advantage of it sometimes.”Elise gave a shaky smile. “It’s not intentional, taking advantage of it. But then again, I don’t think I am your peace lol.”Alejandro’s brow furrowed in pleasure. “Don’t say that. You’re… you’re the only thing that makes this madness worth it.”“Seeing you makes me remember the whole point of this.”Elise’s throat tightened, her emotion rising again, but before she could reply, Alejandro cupped the side of her face, tilting her chin toward him. In that way, he pressed her lips
Elise lay awake long after midnight, her cheek pressed to the cool pillow. She was holding back tears, and her eyes were beginning to sting. Even sleep had refused to come, though her body desperately needed rest, and as if the foetus she carried knew what was going on, it kicked endlessly, the intensity causing her cramps that did not exactly help her cause.Struggling to hold the pain, she forced her eyes closed. But every time she tried, she heard Alejandro’s voice again, the hurt in it.She turned onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. The quiet and emptiness of the room pressed heavily against her chest. Her hand reached out to the place Alejandro usually lay, and it was cold because he had not returned to the room that night. Something that he barely did.Elise’s heart dropped in her chest. Was she losing everything because of her terrible choices? How had she managed to twist things so badly? All she had wanted was to help him and take some of the weight from his shoulders
Elise sat curled on the sofa, her hands loosely wrapped around a throw pillow, the television murmuring in front of her. Since Diane was sent away, her life had been this way. Not scared to face anything, but needing distractions. And the show she had been watching, offered her just enough.Still, she could notice Alejandro’s steps from afar, when he made his way into the house. With more intention, she fixed her eyes back on the screen again as the door opened.Alejandro’s voice was bright as he called out. “Lily.”Elise's gaze flicked to him just long enough to acknowledge him. “Welcome,” she murmured before she turned her attention back to the screen.It could easily be tagged as guilt, or that she worried that if he looked too long into her eyes, he might see all that had happened in the past days.Alejandro paused at her indifference, but a smile tugged at his lips anyway. He crossed the room, sinking beside her. His hand slid over her shoulders as he pulled her lightly against
The next morning dawned bright. Elise stirred awake to the faint scrape of Alejandro moving about as he prepared for work. He was at the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks, as the morning light caught against his sharp jaw.She watched him quietly, her heart twisting. Despite everything, there was no denying what she felt when she looked at him.Alejandro caught her eyes in the mirror, and his lips curved faintly. “You’re awake.”“Mm,” she hummed, pushing herself up.He crossed the room, pressing a kiss to her forehead. His hand lingered on her cheek. “How are you feeling?”“Tired,” she admitted softly, though her chest warmed under his tenderness.“Then rest today. Don’t worry about anything.” His tone was encouraging as if he sensed the weight she carried.She only nodded. Normally, she would have resisted, but this morning she didn’t. She let him tuck the blanket around her, and stay by her side before finally picking up his suit.“I’ll be back earlier tonight,” he promised.In respon
“I’ve tried to do everything carefully,” Diane whispered. “She trusts me too much. I… I almost feel guilty sometimes.”Elise pressed her knuckles to her mouth, biting back the gasp that threatened to spill. Her chest felt like it might implode. She had heard Diane’s voice, but she still did not want to believe. But the longer she stayed, the more everything began to click into place: the odd advice, the constant insistence that pulling away was ‘best for Alejandro,’ the way Diane always seemed to appear when her doubts were sharpest.She staggered back from the doorway, her hands still on her lips before her trembling legs gave her away. Moving quickly and without drawing any attention, she climbed the stairs, her breath shallow as though the walls were closing in.Once she was in the bedroom, Elise sank onto the mattress. Her hands trembled against her lap. Diane. Her Diane. She had seen her more like a sister, and not an assistant. Yet this?She wanted to scream, to storm back down
Tia Mendoza had barely reached her, but Elise knew that the woman who stood before her had not brought good tidings. She carried the same cold air that always spread faster than her fragrance, and the way some staff had paused in their duty made it obvious that they had caught the whiff.“Mrs. Mendoza,” Elise finally managed, straightening despite the twist in her stomach.Tia Mendoza’s eyes flickered over Elise, assessing and dissecting. Her lips curved into the faintest polite smile, though it did not help relax Elise’s nerves.“Why do you look that way. Are you surprised to see me?” she probed, her heels clicking against the stone as she advanced.Elise clasped her hands together. “I—yes. I had no idea you were coming. Welcome.” She gestured. “It’s just… Alejandro isn’t home at the moment. He left for work not long ago.”Tia tilted her head, amusement flashing briefly in her eyes. “Good. I didn’t come for Alejandro.” She paused deliberately. “I came to see you.”Elise blinked, her