LOGIN“Yes.”“You wanted revenge,” Sofia continued smoothly. “You wanted him to suffer for choosing Amelia. This is what real revenge looks like. It’s not tears. It’s not shouting. It’s strategy.”Gabriella swallowed. “And it will work?”“Oh, it will work,” Sofia said calmly. “But once we start, there’s no going back to being the victim. You’ll be the villain in his story.”Gabriella stared at Alejandro’s frozen face one last time.“Fine,” she whispered. “Do whatever you need to do.”Sofia’s smile widened.“That’s my girl.”NEW YORK - AMELIA’S PENTHOUSE - THAT EVENINGAmelia was in the kitchen making tea when she heard a groan from the living room.“Ariana?” She rushed in to find her best friend doubled over on the couch, holding her very pregnant belly.“I think—” Ariana gasped. “I think the baby’s coming.”“What? Now? You’re only eight months!”“Tell that to the baby!” Ariana groaned again, her face pale. “My water just broke. Call Daniel. Call the hospital. Call someone!”Amelia’s traini
NEW YORK - PRESS CONFERENCE ROOMThe room was packed. Reporters from every major news outlet crowded together, cameras flashing, microphones ready. The air buzzed with anticipation.Alejandro walked to the podium, flanked by Javier on one side and Marcus Reed on the other. He looked tired but determined, wearing a crisp navy suit that made him look every bit the businessman he was.The room went silent.“Thank you all for coming,” Alejandro began, his voice steady. “I’m here today to address the accusations that have been made against me. To address the scandal that has hurt my family. And most importantly, to tell my side of the story.”He paused, looking directly into the cameras.“I did not cheat on my wife. I did not knowingly father a child with Gabriella Guerra. And I am here to explain why I believe I was set up.”Murmurs rippled through the crowd.“Two months ago, I attended a gallery opening in New York. That night, I had drinks. More than I should have, I admit.” Alejandro’
“Amelia has already filed for divorce. It’s over, Alejandro.”“No, it’s not.” Alejandro pulled out his phone and showed them a legal document. “The divorce petition was blocked. Permanently. By a judge I hired. Amelia is still my wife. Legally. Whether she likes it or not.”Marisa gasped. “You blocked the divorce?”“She didn’t give me a choice. She wouldn’t talk to me. Wouldn’t let me see Leo. Wouldn’t let me prove my innocence.” Alejandro’s voice was firm. “I blocked the divorce because I’m not giving up on my marriage. I’m not giving up on my son. And I’m sure as hell not marrying Gabriella Guerra.”Doña Isabella’s face turned red with fury. “You stubborn, foolish boy! Do you know what you’ve done? Amelia will hate you for this!”“She already hates me. But at least this way, she has to face me. Has to listen to the truth.” He looked at both women. “I came here to tell you in person I’m not following your orders. I’m going back to New York. I’m going to clear my name. I’m going to
NICHOLAS PENTHOUSE ~ NEW YORK Nicholas stood at his penthouse window, watching the city lights blur through the rain. His phone felt heavy in his hand. He’d been staring at Amelia’s contact for ten minutes, knowing this conversation would change everything.Finally, he pressed call.She answered on the first ring. “This better be important.”“Katherina told them,” Nicholas said without greeting. “Alexander and Vivian. They know everything about Stone Holdings, about Cortex, about our arrangement. They’re planning something.”Silence on the other end. Then Amelia’s voice came back, colder than he’d ever heard it.“How do you know?”“Katherina came back. She said she forgives me. She’s pregnant with my child.” He ran his hand through his hair. “But something feels wrong. She’s too calm. Too forgiving. I think she’s working with them.”“You think? Or you know?”“I don’t have proof yet, but—”“Then get proof!” Amelia’s voice rose. “You’re supposed to be the smart one, Nicholas. The one
“Four months pregnant. The nausea, the tiredness, the emotional ups and downs all normal for a healthy second-trimester pregnancy.” Dr. Patel smiled gently. “You’re going to have a baby.”Katherina’s vision got blurry. The walls felt like they were closing in. Four months. That meant That first night. The hotel room. No protection, just passion and promises.“No,” she whispered. “No, that can’t be right.”But even as she said it, her hand moved to her stomach. To the small, slight curve she’d thought was just weight gain from stress.Everything went black.She woke up on the examination table with her mother’s worried face above her and a cold cloth on her forehead.“Easy, mija. You fainted.”Katherina stared at the ceiling. The word echoed in her head. Pregnant. Pregnant. Pregnant.“A baby,” she whispered.“Yes.” Her mother’s voice was thick with tears. “A baby.”Katherina sat up slowly, her hand still pressed against her stomach. Four months. Nicholas’s child. The only good thi
AMELIA FAVINO PENTHOUSE ~ NEW YORK The message came through with a sharp ping, breaking the quiet in Amelia’s penthouse.Amelia looked at her phone. Someone had sent her an anonymous message, hidden through several secret internet routes before reaching her private inbox.Stone Holdings is being investigated. Katherina Rodriguez knows everything. She has proof. She’s going to destroy you both.Amelia read it twice. Her face stayed calm, but her hand gripped the phone so tight her knuckles turned white.Rebecca. It had to be Rebecca, her lawyer. Rebecca had connections everywhere and heard secrets most people never knew about.She called Nicholas immediately.“Someone sent me a tip,” she said without saying hello. “Katherina knows about Stone Holdings. She has proof of everything.”Silence on the other end. Then Nicholas let out a long, slow breath.“She came to my apartment last night and confronted me,” Nicholas admitted. “I didn’t think she would act this quickly.”“You didn’t thin







