As Marco sleeps peacefully on the couch, I can’t help but marvel at his acting skills. The tears and the display of vulnerability were convincing, but I know better now. If I hadn’t seen the messages between him and Leonardo, I might have fallen for his act, but Marco, you’re the one who’s being played.Let's start by making you a cup of coffee so that when you wake up from that deceitful slumber of yours, you’ll at least have something warm to comfort you. I am going to slowly take every single thing away from you and your family. Just watch me.However, since dwelling on his deceitfulness won’t change anything. I decide to focus on something else instead of succumbing to bitterness. Grabbing a book, I lose myself in its pages.However, a lingering gaze pulls me from my reading. Looking up, I find Marco watching me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. Instinctively, I reach up to touch my face, suddenly self-conscious under his scrutiny.“Is there something on my face

"You look so happy," Mother says out of the blue as she settles down on her chair."Look how things turned around for us. Of course, I'm extremely happy.""God loves us so much. My new place is so big that when I talk, I hear myself echo.""I'm sorry it's been a bit lonely. I'll come over more often.""Baby, I know how busy you are and besides, you know how I love my solitude. Although, Albert comes to say hi from time to time.""Mother..." I say winking at her.She swats my lap, frowning."What did you do that for?""That was a naughty wink. We are barely just friends. Now, going back to my initial statement.""Which?""Of you looking happy.""I thought I mentioned the reason already.""This kind is familiar.""Tell me about it.""Baby, I hate to bring back old wounds but this is the kind of happiness you had when you were dating Marco."I choke on my coke, and Mother rushes to massage my back."I'm good.""I'm sorry I brought him up," she says, feeling sad."You don't have to be sor

Frustrated with Marco's excuses, I pace my office, my mind racing with thoughts. "Argghhhh.. I'm quite busy, can I call you back Valentina?" I mutter, mimicking one of his many excuses.Glancing at the magazine cover featuring Marco and Sandra, I scoff. "This is the reason Marco has been ignoring my texts. She's not even pretty," I mock, my gaze fixed on the image.But my concern goes beyond jealousy. I fear a new woman like Sandra Santiago could disrupt my carefully laid plans. "What happens if a new woman comes into the picture?" I mull over the possibilities, feeling the urgency to act fast.I need Mr. Pierre to hasten presenting the proposal to Leonardo. He sees Mr. Pierre as a savior, unaware of the trap I'm setting. "I don't think Leo will think twice before he jumps on it," I plot, envisioning the outcome.Desperate to reach Marco, I devise a plan. I text him, feigning illness and urging him to meet me. "I don't feel too good. Please meet me at our usual place," I send, hoping

As Mr. Pierre recounts the successful acquisition of Leo's signature on the contract, my mind drifts away. Despite the satisfaction of my plan unfolding, I find myself haunted by memories of Marco's laughter echoing from our past."Are you listening, Ma'am?" Mr. Pierre's voice breaks through my reverie."Sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment," I respond, pulling myself back to the present."I said with this, we can start to strike," he explains, motioning towards the contract and the incriminating photos of Leo inspecting a transparent drug sachet."So, we now own two-thirds of shares in their company?" I confirm, seeking clarification."Yes! Leo is such a greedy man. He believes we'll sell back the shares to him once he's profited enough from his drug dealings. But you've made it clear you don't mind losing the money if we expose him to the authorities. I doubt he'll be able to repay us before we act, I don't know what he would do with such am out of money from his shares sales,"

"Valentina Luca, come see," my mother's voice echoes through the house, its urgency pulling me away from my thoughts and into the present moment. With a sinking feeling in my chest, I hurry to where she stands, bracing myself for whatever news awaits."What is it, mother?" I ask, my voice tinged with apprehension as I approach her."Look," she gestures towards the television, her expression grave.I turn my gaze to the screen, my heart pounding in my chest as I take in the unfolding scene. A picture of Marco and Leonardo flashes across the screen, accompanied by law enforcement officials. It's a sight that sends a chill down my spine, one that I never expected to witness.The scene changes, and a reporter's voice fills the room, delivering the devastating news with a sense of solemnity."Tragedy strikes the Lorenzos. First, their arrest for involvement in the sales of illicit drugs. Then the revelation that Marco Lorenzo is an adopted child. And now, Marco's involvement in a car accid