Semua Bab Married by Mistake, Loved by Design: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Lucía’s heels clicked against the marble floor of Herrera Designs headquarters like a warning bell. She strode past the receptionist without a word, her presence as chilling as it was commanding. Today, she wore crimson—a power suit that seemed to bleed authority with every step.The executive boardroom was already buzzing when she entered. Conversations halted. Eyes turned.Alejandro stood at the head of the long table, jaw tight, knuckles white around the edge of the chair. “Lucía.”She smiled sweetly, sliding into a vacant seat. “Good morning, gentlemen.”He narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing here?”“Exercising my rights,” she said, tossing a thick stack of documents onto the table. “As the new owner of twenty-one percent of Herrera Designs.”Gasps echoed.“You’re bluffing,” Alejandro growled.She chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “Check the signatures. I bought your cousin Emiliano’s shares. He needed the cash. I needed leverage. Win-win.”Alejandro’s pulse pounded in his e

Chapter 13: The First NightMonterrey, Mexico – 10:00 p.m.The rain hadn’t stopped.It pattered gently against the windows of Valeria’s small apartment, filling the silence with a rhythm both lonely and comforting.She sat curled on the couch, knees drawn to her chest, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.Across from her, Alejandro paced.Back and forth.Like a caged animal trying to figure out how to fix something too fragile to touch.Valeria finally broke the silence."You don't have to stay," she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.Alejandro stopped pacing and turned to her, his expression unreadable."I’m not leaving you," he said simply.Her heart twisted painfully at the stubborn conviction in his voice."I don't need saving," she said, even though the tears were already pooling again."I know," he said softly. "But even warriors need someone to stand with them sometimes."Valeria dropped her gaze, overwhelmed.He was supposed to walk away.Everyone else had.Why did he have to

The city blurred past the window of Alejandro’s car, but he wasn’t seeing it. Not really. He was driving without direction, one hand clenched around the steering wheel, the other clutching his phone like it might give him answers. But no message came. No apology. No explanation that would make what she’d done any less unbearable. She had lied. Lied with her silence, with her smile, with every kiss she had given him while hiding the truth about who she really was. And yet—he missed her. The scent of her shampoo still lingered on his pillow. The ghost of her laugh haunted the kitchen, the terrace, the office. And that night—the night they had finally crossed the line—he couldn’t erase the way she had looked at him. Vulnerable. Honest. Like she was handing him her whole heart. So why did it feel like he had never known her at all? Valeria stood in the middle of her studio, arms wrapped tightly around her waist. The air smelled like dust and turpentine, and her last sketch lay unfinis

One Week Later – Monterrey, MexicoThe world kept spinning. The city kept breathing. People went on with their lives.But for Alejandro and Valeria, everything had stopped.Alejandro’s PenthouseThe morning sunlight streamed through the massive glass windows, illuminating the untouched breakfast tray the housekeeper had left hours ago.Alejandro sat on the edge of the bed, still fully dressed from the night before, staring blankly at his phone.No calls. No messages.Just silence.He had deleted her number. Or at least, he tried to.But he remembered it. Every. Single. Digit.Like it had been etched into his bones.He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, running a hand through his messy hair.He hadn’t been to the office. Hadn’t returned his mother’s worried calls. Hadn’t even opened the designs for the biggest project of his career.Because none of it mattered.Not without her.His mind kept betraying him — showing him flashes of her smile, the way she tilted her head when she la

Monterrey – Two Days LaterThe return to the city was quieter than expected.There was no dramatic press swarm or scandal waiting at the gates. The Herrera & Sons building stood tall and still, its glass façade gleaming like it hadn’t just witnessed a whirlwind of lies, feelings, and emotional meltdowns in the executive office.But for Valeria Mendoza, everything felt different.She adjusted her engagement ring — the same one she had once worn for show, now warm and heavy with meaning — and stepped into the elevator beside Alejandro.It was their first day back since the beach.Since the kiss.Since everything had become real."Are you sure about this?" Valeria asked, glancing sideways at him."Absolutely," Alejandro said, brushing his thumb over her hand."You’re ready to tell everyone the truth?"He turned to her, gaze unwavering. “I want them to know I married you not for the board, not for the investors, not for appearances — but because I love you. And I’m not hiding it anymore.”