The grand parlor of the Rodriguez mansion was a stunning picture of wealth and power, a place where life-altering decisions were taken with a sip of vintage wine and a whisper. Delicately carved moldings on the high ceilings, a sparkling chandelier that shed soft golden light on antique furniture and carefully chosen art pieces that reeked of old money. All had the smell of power, dense but mute. Timeless.Lisa ironed her dress as she followed Oliver down the marbled hall. Her stilettos clicked in synchronized tension against the ground. She did not know what awaited her, but the tightening in her gut suggested that this instant would make her queen or break her.Oliver pushed open the double doors of the parlor with discreet pleasure, standing back to permit her entrance.Sitting demurely in a velvet armchair, sipping from a china teacup, sat Mrs. Rodriguez. She sat up straight, a closed face. Beside her, Mr. Antonio Rodriguez relaxed slightly in a leather chair, his cane within reac

The blue sky was painted with soft colors of orange and gold when the sun emerged out of the clouds, casting a warm glow over the lavish estate grounds. White chairs lined up beside immaculately manicured lawn, all tied with silver ribbons. A shimmering arch stood tall at the rear, covered in fresh rose and soft baby's breath. All was immaculate spotless. A day for forever.And Eric?He stood by the gates, looking like a groom himself. His suit of navy-blue was immaculately tailored to cling to his frame as though stitched especially for the occasion. Not for the wedding, no, but for a funeral. His own. His heart's.Nora stepped out of the cab behind him, wearing a pale peach dress that glowed in the light whenever she moved. She was dream-like—lovely, lovely, and tragic all together.She gazed at Eric and sighed. "You really went all out," she whispered.Eric stared at her, his vision distant. "If I'm going to die on the inside, I might as well look good on the outside."Nora shook

The sun shone its golden light over the large mansion, where the green lawn had been turned into an opulent wedding setting. Tier upon tier of high-class chairs lined each side of a petal-piled aisle, and the distant murmur of orchestra music floated around. White-gloved waiters circulated around the room with champagne flutes as people laughed and joked, having no idea about the tempest raging under the precise veneer.Eric sat stiffly beside Nora towards the front of the gathering. He wore a navy-blue suit, perfectly fitted, his posture erect, his jaw clenched. His eyes weren't on the loveliness of the atmosphere or the expensive arrangements around him. They were locked, haunted, on the aisle. Waiting. Dreading.Nora, wearing a loose emerald green dress that sparkled in the sunlight, fidgeted in her seat. She had spoken little since they arrived. Her silence his anchor, her words more soothing. She watched Eric with intent, hands folded, mind working.Eric felt it the flood tide wi

The air was heavy, as if the heavens themselves were holding their breath.Eric sat stiffly beside Nora, his every nerve strung taut as a bowstring. His jaw was locked so tightly it hurt, but he was unaware of it. He could feel nothing but the slow, smoldering rage simmering beneath his skin. It pounded at the back of his eyes and surged up through his chest. Lisa—his Lisa—was standing on the aisle, her eyes lowered like an obedient bride. And Oliver, the villain in this cruel play, was basking in cheers and applause as he made his grand entrance.“Just… breathe, Eric,” Nora whispered close to his ear, her hand on his arm. “Please. Just play along and be happy. You’re better than this.”He nodded, just to quiet her down. But the fire in his eyes never went out.The crowd still hummed, heads swiveling, phones recording. The orchestral tune wafted gently, mingling with laughter and muted conversation.And then came that moment.Oliver, dashing in his custom-made black tuxedo, walked pur

The heavy metal gates of the Rodriguez estate shut firmly behind them with a finality.Eric did not turn around immediately. He walked down the long driveway, fists clenched, shoulders bobbing up and falling as if trying to shake out all the anger seething within him. The cool wedding air, once filled with light violin strings and subdued celebratory murmurs, now grew strained and stifling. Behind them, laughter cloaked in poise and applause grew faint into the distance.Nora lagged behind, heels clicking on the marble stairs. She said nothing. There was nothing that could be said. Nothing that would explain what had happened.Security escorted them until they reached the opposite side of the property gates, then one of the men gave Eric a small nod. "Good day, sir," he said stiffly before turning away, returning to his position as if nothing had occurred.Eric stood alongside the estate's metal fence and slowly turned toward the mansion.It was breathtaking.Columns cut with golden t