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.

“I fell for you because I thought you were honorable and exceptional. Instead, I found a skilled liar who wears masks like second skin.”

your best friend’s sister as a placeholder, and felt no remorse. Why would I entrust

someone like

but

words hit him like physical blows. “To someone who doesn’t need seven years to decide

Chapter 8

eyes wide with

deeply. He’s not only handsome but genuinely kind,

don’t contact me

fingers circling my wrists with desperate strength. His knees hit the gravel, designer

“Aveline, please…”

was a fool. I thought Oriana

days have been absolute hell,” his voice trembled with desperation. “I couldn’t 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

up to your smile, all those nights

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

struggled against his grip,

me while packing – the Chanel suits, the Hermès scarves, the Cartier jewels–none. of them had

was carefully selected to transform me into Oriana’s mirror

looking like her naturally. He’d just methodically molded me into her image, piece

stumbled backward, only to be steadied by strong hands. Alexander’s presence wrapped around me like a protective shield, his

whispered, catching a whiff of his

as he looked at me. “Long enough to witness

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