INICIAR SESIÓNRebecca finally looked at her. Her expression was calm. Professional and completely unreadable."Trust me," she said. "I know what I'm doing."The guards came and stood on either side of her. She rose from the witness stand on unsteady legs and walked toward the side door.As they led her out, she passed close to the gallery. For just a second, she thought she saw a familiar face near the back. A man in dark glasses, sitting very still.She blinked.He was gone. Or maybe he had never been there.The door closed behind her."I'm going to get us out of here," she whispered. "I promise."OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE — 12:45 PMMiguel sat in a black car across the street. Lucas was in the driver's seat."Did she see you, boss?" Lucas asked.Miguel took off his sunglasses. "She said my name. In front of everyone."Lucas shook his head. "That's dangerous. If anyone finds out you're alive…"Miguel stared at the courthouse doors. "I had to see her. She's carrying my brother's child. She's fighti
Rebecca sat beside Amelia at the defense table, flipping through papers. She leaned over and whispered, "Stay calm. Don't raise your voice. Let me handle it."Amelia nodded.Judge Morrison sat at the bench with his glasses low on his nose. He looked up when the room was completely silent."Mrs. Favino. You may take the stand."Amelia stood. Her legs felt like water. She walked to the witness stand and sat down. She folded her hands in her lap and pressed them together hard to keep them still.Mr. Harris rose from his chair. He buttoned his jacket and walked slowly toward her."Mrs. Favino," he said. "Let's talk about what happened to Marisa Favino."Amelia kept her voice steady. "I've already told the court everything I know.""Yes, you have." He nodded slowly. "You said you were at work. You said you received a phone call telling you your mother-in-law had collapsed. You said you had nothing to do with what happened to her.""That's the truth.""Is it?" He walked closer. "Because
THE COURTROOM – NEW YORK CITY COURTHOUSE – COURTROOM 7 – 10:00 AMThe courtroom was packed. Reporters filled the back rows, whispering and typing on their phones. Cameras waited outside the doors. The air was thick with tension.Amelia sat at the defense table in a simple dark dress that Rebecca had brought her. She looked pale and tired. Her belly was clearly showing now. She kept her hands folded on the table to stop them from shaking. Rebecca Stein stood beside her, wearing a sharp black suit and looking confident.The judge, an older man named Judge Morrison with gray hair and cold eyes, banged his gavel."We are back in session for the case of the People versus Amelia Favino," he said. His voice was flat and unfriendly. "Miss Stein, you may continue your defense."Rebecca stood tall. "Thank you, Your Honor. Today we will show that my client is innocent. The evidence against her was planted. Witnesses were paid. And the real criminals are still walking free."The prosecutor,
FAVINO PENTHOUSE – LIVING ROOM – 10:30 AMGabriella sat on the large white sofa wearing a silky robe. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun. The morning light made the room look even more luxurious. On the coffee table in front of her sat a white envelope. The same envelope she had shown Alejandro earlier."More tea, ma'am?" Clara asked softly.Gabriella didn't look at her. "No. Just make sure the guest room is ready. My friend is almost here.""Yes, ma'am." Clara disappeared down the hallway.The doorbell rang a moment later.Gabriella's face broke into a real smile. She stood up and walked to the door herself. She didn't make the maid get it. This was a special guest.She opened the door, and there stood Sophia. Tall, tan, and wearing a flowing white dress and oversized sunglasses. Sofia pulled off her sunglasses and grinned. "Hola, chica. Did you miss me ? cuz I missed you so much Gabriella laughed and pulled her into a tight hug. "You have no idea. Get inside. Quick."Sofia
She touched his chest right over his heart. “And now she’s trying to manipulate you by shutting you out. That’s what guilty people do. They run. They hide. They make you feel like the bad guy.”She looked deep into his eyes.“Don’t let her do that to you,” she whispered. “Don’t let her make you doubt what you already know in your heart. You deserve better than a liar and a poisoner.”Alejandro stared at her. His anger slowly turned into something colder..“You’re right,” he said quietly. “You’re absolutely right.”Gabriella let out a small, relieved breath and gently rubbed his arms. “Good. Now let me help you calm down before you hurt yourself.” She turned toward the hallway and called out, “Clara! Can you bring Alejandro his special tea, please? The calming one.”A few minutes later, Clara walked in carrying a tray with a steaming cup. She placed it on the counter without a word and quietly left the room.Gabriella picked up the cup and handed it to Alejandro. “Drink this. It alw
The governor looked at the ring, then back at Amelia. For the first time, her voice softened just a little.“You’re stronger than you think,” she said.Amelia gave a small, tired smile that didn’t reach her eyes.“I have to be,” she replied. “Because from now on, I only have myself.”She turned and walked out of the office without looking back.The door closed behind her with a quiet click.For the first time since she had been locked up, Amelia didn’t feel like crying.She felt something else.She felt free.FAVINO PENTHOUSE – KITCHEN – 7:15 AMThe morning sun poured through the tall windows of the penthouse kitchen. Everything was clean and white and expensive. Alejandro walked in wearing only black sweatpants, his hair messy from sleep. His feet were bare on the cold marble floor.Gabriella stood at the counter in one of his white shirts. The shirt was too big for her, hanging off one shoulder. She was making coffee, her hips swaying slightly to music only she could hear.Aleja
THE GUERRA GRAND MANSION~ SPAINGabriella stepped into her sunlit bedroom at the family villa outside Madrid. The red dress from last night still draped over a chair, a trophy of her victory. Her skin still tingled from Alejandro’s hands, his desperate kisses, the way he’d lost control. She let he
STONE INDUSTRIES~ NEW YORK "Mr. Blackwood," Amelia said, not bothering to stand. "You have a strange definition of 'appointment.'"He stepped inside, letting the heavy door click shut behind him. His eyes swept the room, pausing on Ariana, who was now awkwardly trying to sit up straighter on the
STONE ENTERPRISES~ NEW YORK Amelia Stone’s office was quiet, but her head was anything but.One screen showed the Cortez case files. Another held Ariadne Group’s ruthless offer to Blackwood. And floating over both was the photo she couldn’t escape Alejandro on a balcony, Gabriella at his side, ca
ALEJANDRO MASTER SUITE~ SPAIN“I just exposed rot in your family’s business,” she said. “I handed you the truth on a silver plate. And your mother’s response was to pat my head and say ‘adequately’ before sending the criminal off to a beach house.”Her voice dropped, colder now.“I’m not a pet. I’m







