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 , Ive 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 , Ill 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 Id dreamed of countless times . Thank God hed never given it before . I reached out slowly , watching hope bloom in his eyes before I snapped the box shut with a decisive click . Castro , my voice came out steadier than I felt . I fell for you because I thought you were honorable and exceptional . Instead , I found a skilled liar who wears masks like second skin . You used your best friends sister as a placeholder , and felt no remorse . Why would I entrust my future to someone like that ? The color drained from his face , but no defense came to his lips . Im engaged , I continued , watching the words hit him like physical blows . To someone who doesnt need seven years to decide if Im worth acknowledging in public . Chapter 8 His head snapped up , eyes wide with disbelief . Though weve known each other briefly , I respect him deeply . Hes not only handsome but genuinely kind , engaging , and most importantly- a man of integrity . Please dont contact me again . The roses hit the ground , petals scattering like snow as he lunged forward , fingers circling my wrists with desperate strength . His knees hit the gravel , designer pants be damned . Aveline , please … Aveline , Castros voice cracked , his perfectly maintained facade crumbling . I was a fool . I thought Oriana was my unfinished story , but losing you … These past days have been absolute hell , his voice trembled with desperation . I couldnt 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 safe . His 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 . How can you just erase that ? I laughed bitterly . Tell me honestly , Castro . During those seven years , who were you really seeing ? When you held me at night , who were you imagining ? I struggled against his grip , disgust rising like bile . The revelation had hit me while packing the Chanel suits , the Hermès scarves , the Cartier jewels none . of them had been chosen for me . Each piece was carefully selected to transform me into Orianas mirror image . So much for looking like her naturally . Hed just methodically molded me into her image , piece by piece . Breaking free with a final twist , I stumbled backward , only to be steadied by strong hands . Alexanders presence wrapped around me like a protective shield , his aristocratic features set in glacial disdain . Been here long ? I whispered , catching a whiff of his signature cologne . His features softened as he looked at me . Long enough to witness this romantic comedy unfold . So you saw … Chapter 8 Every Oscar worthy moment . Castro lurched to his feet , his pristine suit now a mess of grass stains and desperation . Who the hell is this ? With deliberate slowness , Alexanders hand slid to my waist , his touch both possessive and protective . Her fiancé , he declared , his cultured accent cutting through the tension like a fine blade . What the hell ? Take your hands off her ! Castros voice cracked . Aveline , hes full of shit , right ? You just some elaborate revenge plot to get back at me ? Tell me thats all this is ! Well , well … the narcissism is astronomical , Williams voice rang out , making Castro visibly flinch . My brother emerged from the morning shadows , idly swinging his vintage cricket bat . O ( 0 ) ( 0 ) Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...