جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 200

After Ruby accepted Hector’s proposal, he stood up, taking her with him, and crashed his lips against hers, pouring every ounce of love, pride, and joy into that kiss. Around them, the room erupted in claps and cheers. Carlos whistled, Hunter grinned and clapped with both hands, while even Manuel gave a crooked smile and joined in. And to Ruby’s surprise, Anya clapped the loudest. The moment Hector pulled back from the kiss, Anya squealed in delight and rushed toward Ruby. “I’m so excited! Welcome to the family!” she said, throwing her arms around Ruby. Ruby blinked, caught off guard. She’d seen Anya earlier, tucked slightly behind Hunter, but now seeing her up close, she was stunned by how young she looked. She smiled as she gently pulled back and glanced at the ring on Anya’s finger. “Wait… you’re married?” Ruby asked with a surprised laugh. “But you look so young!” Anya giggled. “I am! Nineteen years old and married to Hunter Steele.” She said it with pride, like a girl

Maya’s thoughts swirled with unease as she followed the woman’s brisk strides down yet another unfamiliar hallway. They had promised her work. That was the word they used—simple, clinical, and vague. But now, as they twisted through corridors she hadn’t seen before, her gut twisted too. She felt like a pawn being moved across a board she couldn’t see. They passed rooms with white doors, then dark ones, until eventually they entered a corridor lined with deep, blood-red doors. The air changed here.... heavier, almost humid, scented with thick perfume and something else underneath. Something stale. Maya slowed, her feet growing hesitant as they approached one of the crimson doors. She tried to memorize the turns they’d taken to get here, but it was already a blur—hallway after hallway, corner after corner, until she couldn’t tell left from right anymore. Panic itched beneath her skin. "Excuse me," Maya said, forcing her voice to stay steady. "What kind of job is this? Who is Carlos

Sungirl dropped to her knees beside Maya, her hands trembling as she patted Maya’s back, trying to calm her. Maya was gasping, her chest rising in shallow jerks, her lips parted in a soundless cry. “She’s fine,” Lady Bee said at last, her tone clipped but with a touch of alarm as she noticed Maya’s color drain fast. “Look at the damn screen.” Sungirl gently tilted Maya’s face upward. “Look. Please. Look at the TV.” Maya blinked through a haze of tears, lifting her eyes to the screen. The footage had changed. Now, Star sat safely on a plush bed, flipping through a textbook, her legs swinging idly. No blood. No bindings. No axe. The same room Maya had seen before. Star even reached for her inhaler at one point and smiled faintly at something the woman beside her said. It was like the horror never happened. Except Maya couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. “What you saw earlier,” Lady Bee said smoothly, stepping forward, “was a simulation. A warning. Not real. But it could be.

ONE WEEK AGO Carlos’ phone buzzed where it lay beside a stack of unopened travel brochures. He picked it up without checking the screen—he already knew who it was. “Coward,” Don Vargas spat before Carlos could speak. “You’ve become weak. I don’t know what’s more shameful—your refusal to lead or your delusion that walking away makes you noble. You’ve lost your right to call me father.” Carlos didn’t respond. “You think freedom is hopping from country to country with a camera?” the old man scoffed. “Nico has more fire in him than you ever did. I should’ve made him my heir.” Click. Carlos ended the call, jaw clenched, heart thudding with silent fury. His father's voice still echoed in his head, venomous and cold. He balled his fists, knuckles white. He hated his cousin, Nico. Ruthless, bloodthirsty, obsessed with power—and worst of all, the mirror image of Don Vargas. They saw mercy as weakness. Innocents were nothing but collateral. Carlos had seen the aftermath of their o

Carlos leaned back in the chair, phone still in his hand, listening closely as Maya’s voice echoed softly. “I can’t talk long,” she whispered. “But please, Aunt… I need help.” Then came a deeper voice, firm and protective. “What did you say happened to my little princess?” Maya paused, swallowed, and repeated everything she’d just said. When she called him Uncle Salvador, Carlos tilted his head slightly, piecing the name together. He listened as Salvador asked her where exactly she was. Maya explained that she was somewhere in San Carlos, but didn’t know the address. Then she pleaded, “Please don’t come for me yet. Star is in more danger. One wrong move… they could hurt her. She’s the priority.” Carlos exhaled slowly, heart tightening as he listened. Salvador’s voice rose. “But you’re nineteen, Maya. The thought of you being forced to please a man in bed...... how can I live with that?” “I’m okay,” Maya said quickly. “I haven’t been touched. Carlos… he seems different.