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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
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2025-05-18 13:06:32
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The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I opted to don high fashion couture, a devastatingly revealing yet glamorous emerald-green dress, custom-made from a posh designer house. It was punctuated with dangling earrings studded with brilliant-cut diamonds, sleek soft waves in my hair, and bold red lipstick. To offset the majestic and dramatic ensemble, I chose muted yet impactful towering gold stilettos from Jimmy Choo—and, of course, that eternal twinkle in my eye that no one could resist falling in love with.Before Mercede was introduced to the public as the fiancée of the firstborn, she was first presented to the in-laws of this powerful family as a gesture of their respect. They were all polite and adorably accommodating to everyone and everything.“Where’s our son, honey?” asked the Signor to his wife. The current head of House Mastrandrea, Ivanoe Mastrandrea, exuded a haughty, prideful, and dangerous air. Though, undeniably, he was classically handsome.“He is on his way.”Clad in a traditional tuxedo, the Signor appe
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I opted to don high fashion couture, a devastatingly revealing yet glamorous emerald-green dress, custom-made from a posh designer house. It was punctuated with dangling earrings studded with brilliant-cut diamonds, sleek soft waves in my hair, and bold red lipstick. To offset the majestic and dramatic ensemble, I chose muted yet impactful towering gold stilettos from Jimmy Choo—and, of course, that eternal twinkle in my eye that no one could resist falling in love with.Before Mercede was introduced to the public as the fiancée of the firstborn, she was first presented to the in-laws of this powerful family as a gesture of their respect. They were all polite and adorably accommodating to everyone and everything.“Where’s our son, honey?” asked the Signor to his wife. The current head of House Mastrandrea, Ivanoe Mastrandrea, exuded a haughty, prideful, and dangerous air. Though, undeniably, he was classically handsome.“He is on his way.”Clad in a traditional tuxedo, the Signor appe
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The city buzzed around me, a tidal wave of honking cars, chattering crowds, and flickering neon signs that blurred into a dizzying mix of color and noise. I weaved through the crowded sidewalks, clutching my bag tighter as if it could somehow shield me from everything. But I barely heard any of it.My mind was elsewhere, tangled up in that envelope, the invitation to Romero Mastrandrea’s engagement celebration. How did I even end up here? I'm just trying to keep my head down in a place that felt miles away from the opulence and power of the Mastrandrea world.I gripped my bag straps tighter, trying to focus on the concrete beneath my sandals rather than the weight of everything pressing on my chest. Romero and Mercede, I thought. Together now. Just like that. The news hit me harder than I expected.There was no grand announcement for me. Just that sharp stab of reality reminding me I was no longer part of his story. Passing a group of students chatting about weekend plans, I forced a
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The sun blazed against my skin. Engines roared like thunder in the distance, the scent of fuel and burnt rubber clinging to the summer air.The race drew out every thrill-seeker from town and beyond. Dust swirled in chaotic clouds as a car lined up at the starting strip, the hoods popped, decals gleaming under the harsh sun. Rocco was smoking hot, with his sleeves rolled up, cocky grin in place, his driver’s suit slung low on his hips like he was born to win. The crowd cheered as he stepped outside his cobalt-blue ride, waving to me like he was some movie star.“That's amazing, babe!” I called out, my voice lost in the screams and screeches of tires warming up.He was easy on the eyes, easy on the ears. The mayor’s son knew how to flatter, how to pose for the town’s collective gaze. He looked good beside me. That was enough for now.The crowd stood behind cordoned-off lines, the wind thick with dust and gasoline. This wasn’t like the polished city tracks or the organized chaos of the
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
I could feel his eyes on me before I even stepped onto campus.“Miss Carmenta,” Perion said in his usual low voice, falling in step beside me as I entered the quad. “He’s here again.”“I figured,” I muttered, not slowing down. “Just keep him away from me.”A pause. “You’re sure?”I stopped walking and turned to him, my voice clipped. “Did I stutter?”His jaw tightened, but he gave a short nod. The school grounds were loud with morning chatter, classmates laughing, teachers sweeping past with papers and coffee cups, but all of it felt like static. Because I knew Romero was close. I could feel the weight of him like a presence in the air.And sure enough, as I walked toward the admin building, I caught a glimpse of him standing by the steps. Alone. Waiting. Like he had every other day since the dinner. But this time, I didn't smile. I didn't stop. I didn’t even glance his way.Perion stepped ahead of me, and with a subtle shift of his shoulder, blocked Romero’s path as he tried to appro
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I didn’t slam the door on my way out of the community center because there wasn’t a door to slam. Just an old bamboo curtain that swished annoyingly as I stalked through it, my sandals kicking up dust and my pride trailing behind like an angry cat. I didn't even agree to attend this charity just so it can fix my reputation! He was behind me. Of course he was.“Don’t follow me,” I said, loud enough for everyone in the barangay basketball court to hear.Perion didn’t answer. Just walked. Big, silent, annoying strides. Like a robot programmed to ruin my life.I spun around so fast I almost tripped on the hem of my skirt. “Seriously? You have nothing better to do? I’m sixteen, not six.”“Miss, you’re sixteen and publicly threatened the mayor’s daughter during parlor games,” he said calmly. “So no, I don’t have better things to do.”I glared at him. “She said I cheated.”“You did cheat.”“It was Trip to Jerusalem!”His brows lifted like he couldn't believe he had to explain this. “You kno
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER TWENTY
“Seen”I stared at my phone screen like it held the answer to the universe.Still nothing. Not even a “seen.”I leaned against the window ledge of the library, the sun burning too brightly on the quad below. Groups of students milled about between classes, laughing, sipping overpriced iced coffee, tossing frisbees like they didn’t have exams tomorrow. Meanwhile, I had been stuck watching one little message stay unread for nearly two hours.“Nice match yesterday.”Sent. Delivered. Never read.I wasn’t even sure why I sent it. After all that—after the match, the stares, the phone number—I had expected something. A message. A follow. A fire emoji reaction, at the very least. But no. Romero Mastrandrea had left me on “Delivered” like I was one of those desperate girls who tried too hard.And maybe I was. Trying too hard.“Carmen?” Ava slid into the seat beside me, her voice low. “You okay?”“Fine.”“You’re glaring at your phone.”I flipped it over. I sighed. “Don’t start.”She didn’t. Ins
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER NINETEEN
It was one of those disgustingly sunny afternoons, the kind of day designed for pressed whites, cold drinks, and polite applause.Romero Mastrandrea was playing tennis at the country club. Private courts, invite-only. Belle nearly broke her neck when she found out. Ava pulled strings. Again. The court was pristine, grass trimmed like velvet, the net stretched tight, and silver-plated rackets hung neatly in their cases like weapons waiting to be chosen.Romero Mastrandrea was already there, of course, mid-match, dressed in crisp white tennis gear that fit him too well. His hair was damp with sweat, his tan legs flexing with every serve. Women watched from shaded lounge chairs, sipping cocktails, pretending not to stare. His opponent was no one important, some trust fund friend, but the crowd watched Romero alone.A pleated white miniskirt, a sleeveless top just low enough to show my ample bosom, and my hair in a sleek ponytail that screamed, Yes, I look f'cking sexy. What about it?“Ge
The Man I Swore to Hate CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ava’s cousin worked part-time at the Mastrandrea family ranch—one of those sprawling countryside estates where the air smelled of money and horse sweat. According to her, Romero and a few friends had driven up that morning. Monica was with them, obviously. So we dressed the part. Riding boots, tight jodhpurs, linen shirts. Even Belle wore pearls like we were here to sip tea instead of stalk someone else's Saturday plans.“There they are,” Ava whispered, nudging me with her elbow as we crouched behind a hedge overlooking the white-fenced paddocks.Romero looked every bit the aristocratic equestrian: black pants, navy riding shirt, gloves tucked into his waistband, hair slightly wind-tousled. He was adjusting a saddle while Monica, God help us all, giggled beside him, struggling to mount her horse like she’d never seen one before.“What a bitch,” Belle muttered. “Someone get her a fainting couch.”I stood. “I’m riding.”They stared at me. Moments later, I was striding toward the stable
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