Semua Bab My Deceptive Heart: Bab 71 - Bab 80

That weekend, we decided to spend it at Hacienda Saldivar because it was Anika's birthday, and Zeke's family wanted to celebrate with an intimate dinner. We arrived at the mansion around 6 PM. We had stopped at the mall first to buy Anika a gift. The drive had been quiet but comfortable. When we arrived at the Saldivar's mansion, I was surprised the moment we walked through the door because my parents were there, sitting on the grand living room couch, talking with Don Juancho and my mother-in-law. They'd been invited too.My mom jumped up and hugged me as soon as she saw me. I kissed my dad on the cheek as a sign of respect, and he patted my shoulder with a warm smile."Why didn't you tell us you'd be coming too? We could have left together," Zeke said, greeting my dad. "We wanted to surprise you, son. Besides, Don Juancho sent a sleek black car to pick us up from the capital, and we're going back tomorrow morning," my dad replied happily, his face lighting up as he looked around the

The past days had been the happiest of my life. I never thought loving someone could feel this right. Days flew into months, and I still had to pinch myself to believe it had already been eight months since we got married. I'd decided to hire and make Sibyl as my business partner at the gallery. She'd been running things for me so long that she'd practically managed it entirely for those eight months. Besides, I was planning to stay in the country for good. All because of Zeke.Zeke never stopped making me feel like I was still the girl he was courting. He showered me with expensive gifts such as jewelry, designer bags, sleek shoes, especially after every his business trip abroad, even though I'd told him countless times his affection alone was enough. Half the things still sat unworn or unused, and I'd started worrying we'd need to extend our penthouse walk-in closet before long. There was barely room left for all he gave me.We filled our days with small joys. We wen

"If I'd said yes to his proposal back then, Zeke would never have married you. We both know the truth, don't we? That you and your family are only after the Saldivar money that's why you jumped at the chance to marry him, right?" She continued, her voice sharp. "I was focused on my career back then. I was just starting to make a name for myself internationally, and I couldn't afford to have it ruined by a marriage. So I told him to wait. We fought about it and he got upset. In the end, he was left with no choice but to marry you to get the inheritance, because that was Don Juancho's condition for him." she explained."Excuse me, Miss. I don't see why you need to tell me this. I don't think I need to hear your story. You should explain this to Zeke, not me." My voice came out sharper than I'd intended, edge with the anger that had been building in my chest.Other women might have started a catfight when faced with their husband's mistress, but not me. I'd always believed I didn't need

That was all the confirmation I needed. Nicole was his ex. I knew the secretary had been with Zeke for years. She would know his past better than anyone. And the way she looked at me, nervous and almost afraid, told me everything she was too scared to say out loud.Something inside me snapped. Before I could even think, before I could stop myself, anger surged through my veins, hot and uncontrollable. I turned and marched straight toward his office door. Behind me, I heard the secretary scramble to her feet, panic in her voice as she rushed after me.At that point, my mind had already gone somewhere dark. I was convinced I would catch them doing something they should not be doing. That was the only explanation for her behavior, for the tension in the air.When I reached the door, I did not knock. I shoved it open with force, my heart pounding violently in my chest. But what I saw was not what I expected. Zeke was seated behind his desk, composed in his swivel ch

Could he have been with Nicole? The moment that possibility formed, it felt like something inside me cracked. My chest ached, and I had to press my lips together to stop myself from making a sound.Should I confront him? The question echoed in my head, but every time I tried to hold onto it, fear followed close behind.What if everything Nicole said was true?What if all of this, everything between us, was nothing more than a carefully crafted lie?What if he had only been pretending all this time, pretending to love me, to care for me, just to gain his grandfather's trust... just to secure his place, his future, his claim over everything the Saavedra name held?The thought alone was unbearable. I wanted answers. I wanted to sit up, walk into that bathroom, and demand the truth from him. But I could not move because a part of me was terrified that once the truth was spoken out loud, there would be no taking it back.That it would shatter eve