Chapter 8

Stepping into the crisp morning air, I found Castro waiting – a portrait of calculated perfection in his bespoke Tom Ford suit, the one that had always made my heart skip.

A cascade of ivory roses trembled slightly in his grip, betraying the tension beneath his polished facade.

“Aveline, look,” his voice cracked with practiced remorse, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. That day… I was completely out of line. Raising my hand to you…”

presence makes you

“Oriana is just…” he swallowed hard, “history. A closed chapter. If her presence uncomfortable, I’ll cut all ties. Just say the word.”

I studied him, wondering what game he was playing. His devotion to Oriana had been obvious to anyone with eyes.

Now that she was back, why chase me across an ocean instead of embracing his happy ending?

Interpreting my silence as hesitation, he pulled out a Cartier red leather box and dropped to one knee.

“Let me spend forever making it up to you,” he breathed, his voice taking on that honeyed tone that had once convinced me of anything.

“Marry me. From now on, there will only be room for you in my life.”

The rare pink diamond in the box sparkled – a scene I’d dreamed of countless times. Thank God he’d never given it before.

I reached out slowly, watching hope bloom in his eyes before I snapped the box shut with a decisive click.

felt. “I fell for you because I thought you were honorable and exceptional. Instead, I found a skilled liar who wears

as a placeholder, and

someone like

his face, but no defense came to his

someone who doesn’t need seven years to decide if

Chapter 8

up, eyes wide

deeply. He’s not only handsome but genuinely kind, engaging, and most importantly-

contact me

the ground, petals scattering like snow as he lunged forward, fingers circling my wrists with

“Aveline, please…”

perfectly maintained facade crumbling. “I was a fool. I thought Oriana was my

eat or sleep. Christ, I was so desperate I found myself calling William at three in the morning just to find out if you were

eyes, usually sharp with calculated charm, were red–rimmed and wild. “Seven years together. All those mornings waking up to your smile, all those nights falling asleep to your heartbeat.

me honestly, Castro. During those seven years, who were you really seeing? When you held me at night, who were

struggled against his grip, disgust rising

suits, the Hermès

piece was carefully selected to transform me into

her naturally. He’d just methodically molded me into her

steadied by strong hands. Alexander’s presence wrapped around me like a protective shield, his aristocratic

here long?” I whispered, catching a whiff of his

“Long enough to witness this romantic comedy

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