CHAPTER 3

Miguel, standing in the middle of the mall’s atrium, froze when he spotted Ximena.

  He couldn’t believe his eyes. She looked stunning, the epitome of grace and elegance.

 He watched her move through the mall, her bodyguards ensuring she was never touched or approached by strangers.

 He wanted to rush over to ask what had happened. He wanted to know why she looked so different, so successful. But he knew he couldn’t.

 Ximena, on the other hand, had no idea that her ex-husband was watching her from across the mall.

 Ximena, with her nose high in the air, swept through the mall with elegance. She brushed past an employee who was eager to grab her attention, but she ignored him, only acknowledging a few familiar faces.

 Miguel, enraged, clenched his fists. He couldn’t believe how she seemed to have moved on so fast.

  His ego was more bruised than his heart. He wanted to scream at her to acknowledge him, but he couldn’t.

 Tania had just returned back to the country, and Miguel had taken her shopping to catch up and spend time together.

 While she was trying on a stunning red dress, Miguel’s eyes were glued to Ximena’s elegant figure strolling through the mall.

 Tania stepped out of the fitting room, eager to show off the dress and hoping to make Miguel’s eyes light up.

 But as she approached him, she followed his line of sight, only to see Ximena, radiating confidence and power.

 “What the hell are you staring at?” Tania hissed, a flare of jealousy rising in her chest. “Who’s that?”

 “Oh, that’s just... someone,” Miguel stammered, his face flushing. “She’s nobody important.”

 Tania narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying. She’s clearly important if she has security guards following her around.”

 Miguel tried to play it off, but his facade was cracking.

 “Hey, you’re being paranoid,” Miguel said, trying to change the subject. “Didn’t you want to show me your dress?”

 Tania, though still annoyed, let it slide and turned around to show him her dress. It hugged her curves perfectly, but her mind was still racing. She wanted to know who that woman was. She actually Didn’t get to see her face properly.

 “Miguel,” she started again, her voice quiet but firm. “Who is that woman?”

 Miguel sighed. “Okay, fine. It’s Ximena.”

 Tania’s eyes widened in shock. “Ximena? My sister? Why is she here, and what is she doing? Why is she even dressed that way with bodyguards hovering around her?” she asked, jealousy dripping down from her words.

 Miguel shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “No clue. I haven’t seen her in months.”

 Tania knew better. She knew her sister had been left high and dry by Miguel. She turned back to Ximena, noticing her security detail and the crowd of people that had started to gather around her, whispering excitedly.

 Tania watched Ximena with a mixture of envy and disbelief. Here was her sister, the girl she’d always thought was naive and weak, commanding attention and respect like a queen.

 And there was Miguel, who had chosen Tania over Ximena not too long ago, now staring at Ximena with wide, hungry eyes.

 “I just can’t believe all of these!” Tania hissed, her words dripping with venom.

 Tania’s lips suddenly curled into a cruel smirk.

 “Oh, I’ve got an idea,” she purred, her voice low and dangerous. She grabbed Miguel’s arm and pulled him towards Ximena, making sure to make a loud enough scene to catch her sister’s attention.

 As they approached, Ximena’s head snapped towards the commotion, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Tania and Miguel.

 “Ximena, darling!” Tania cried, her voice saccharine sweet and a smug smile on her face.

  “What a surprise! I had no idea you were still in this town.” Tania added

 Ximena’s face remained composed, but her eyes betrayed her shock. She hadn’t seen Tania since after she had gotten married to Miguel, and her appearance was quite a surprise even though Ximena knew that Miguel was definitely going to return to dating the woman he had always loved after divorcing him.

 Yet, she could still feel the pain nudging in her heart on seeing both of them together.

 “Hello, Tania,” Ximena finally forced herself to say, her voice cool and professional. “It’s good to see you.” She said with a feigneded smile.

 Tania laughed lightly, her eyes flashing with malice. “Oh, Ximena, you’re still so polite, even after everything. How admirable.”

 Miguel shifted uncomfortably, clearly aware of the tense atmosphere. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt, even though he’d made his choice a long time ago.

 “And look at you, Ximena!” Tania continued, her voice dripping with insincerity.

  “Running your own business and everything. It must be so...fulfilling.”

 Ximena straightened her posture, her chin jutting out slightly. “It is,” she said. “And I’m doing very well for myself, thank you.”

 Tania smirked, unimpressed by Ximena’s show of strength.

 “Well, that’s wonderful. I’m sure you have your hands full with work, so I won’t keep you.” She turned to Miguel, giving him a knowing glance.

 Tania leaned in, her lips finding Miguel’s in a slow, lingering kiss. Miguel, surprised by the public display of affection, allowed it to happen, his eyes never leaving Ximena’s face.

 Ximena, for her part, stood rigid, her expression impassive. But inside, her heart ached. Tania had won.

 Tania broke the kiss, a satisfied smirk on her face. “Have a good day, Ximena,” she said, her voice laced with mockery.

 Ximena watched as Tania and Miguel walked away, their arms linked together.

  She bit her lip, trying to hold back the hurt that threatened to overwhelm her. She refused to let them see how much they had affected her.

 “Miss Antonio?” one of her bodyguards asked, sensing her distress. “Are you alright? Do you need something else?”

 Ximena turned to the bodyguard, a mask of composure slipping over her face.

 “I’m fine,” she said. “Please escort me back to my car. I’m done shopping.”