Lahat ng Kabanata ng Till Betrayal Do Us Part: Ex-Husband, Ex-Heartbreak: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Estella The room was packed. Every seat in the grand auditorium was filled. Rows of finely dressed elites, journalists, and business executives filled the seats, all there to watch Helena Valdez’s grand announcement. The new chairman of Valdez Enterprises, ascending to her throne after Marco’s “step down.” Marco had been officially stepped down—spineless as ever, letting her take the reins while he hid in her shadow It was laughable. Helena, glowing under the stage lights, stood behind the podium, her sleek white dress screaming power and perfection. Marco lingered beside her, like a battered shadow. His limp was noticeable now, and the burn scar on his cheek was impossible to miss even under the heavy makeup he’d tried to cover it with. I couldn’t stop the flicker of satisfaction in my chest as I leaned back in my seat. “So why are we here, exactly?” I asked Alejandro, keeping my voice low. “Patience, mi estrella.” His tone was smooth, calm, almost bored as he popped a

Estella When we reached the edge of the lake, I pulled the small urn from my bag.Ruth’s ashesAlejandro stayed back as I approached the water, my hands trembling as I unscrewed the lid.“Thank you for being my mother,” I whispered. “For loving me when I didn’t deserve it. For being the only light in my life.”The ache in my chest was unbearable, but I tilted the urn, letting the ashes scatter over the water. The wind caught them, carrying them out over the lake, the gray disappearing into the golden hues of the setting sun.“I’m sorry,” I choked out, the tears spilling over. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.Tears slipped down my cheeks, but they didn’t feel heavy.Alejandro stepped closer, his hand brushing against my back.“She’d be proud of you,” he said quietly.I turned to him, my heart full and broken all at once. “Thank you. For everything.”His hand slid to my cheek wiping a tear, his touch gentle but firm. He pulled me closer, his eyes searching mine before his lips met mi

The courthouse was full.Cameras flashed, reporters shouted over each other, and a crowd of onlookers craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Marco Valdez, the fallen prince of the Valdez empire. Marco was dragged out of the courthouse by two officers, his wrists cuffed, his shirt wrinkled, and his hair disheveled. He looked nothing like the smug, polished man he once was. His scarred cheek was flushed red, his limp more pronounced as he stumbled under the officers’ grip. He looked like a man dangling at the edge of a cliff, holding on with one hand—and it was satisfying as hell to watch.This was supposed to be a simple transport—either back to jail or to another hearing, depending on how today went. The court had been swarmed with reporters, some leaning so close they practically tripped over the officers’ feet“Mr. Valdez, do you have a statement?” one reporter shouted.“Marco, how do you feel about your mother’s arrest and charges? Did you really abuse those women?” screamed ano

Alejandro POVWhat the fuck is wrong with me?I never expected it to be like this.Marry Marco Valdez’s wife. That had been the plan. Take the one thing Marco thought was his, use her as a pawn to destroy him,fuck her maybe then move on. A hit and run kind of deal.It wasn’t supposed to be this.I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair as the boardroom buzzed with voices. A meeting was in full swing, but I wasn’t listening. My mind had drifted, again.To her.Estella.When I saw her for the first time at that gala—wrapped in a red dress, her hair falling over one shoulder—her chin tilted up like she was daring anyone to cross her. I thought she’d be another spoiled, arrogant trophy wife—with more credit cards than brains.That would’ve made it easier.She should’ve been easy to use.But she wasn’t.Instead, she’d thrown my plan back in my face, time and time again. She wasn’t spoiled, and she wasn’t weak. She was sharp, stubborn, and maddening as hell. And now—now she

Alejandro POVEnrique met me by the door.“They’ve been making moves lately,” he said. “We need to strike back.”I clenched my fists, my gaze fixed on the door. “Not yet. Estella comes first. I need to make sure she’s safe.”“I get it. But we can’t let this go unanswered. They need to know they can’t touch us without consequences.”I didn’t look at him. My focus stayed on the silent closed door.“I know,” I said. “And they’ll pay for this. Every fucking one of them. But not yet. Not until I know she’s okay.”The doctor stepped out of Estella’s room, pulling the door closed behind him. His face was calm, but I could tell he wasn’t thrilled with what he had to say.“She’s sleeping now,” he said. “I gave her a sedative. The shock was too much for her.”I nodded, my jaw tight. The image of her shaking, screaming, scrambling onto the bed to escape the snakes was burned into my mind. She hadn’t even noticed when I held her. Her fear had taken over everything“She’ll be fine,” the doctor rea