THE SUBSTITUTE HUSBAND BECAME HIS WIFE'S BOSS

CHAPTER 3

She moved toward the table and lifted the papers with steady hands. There, at the bottom, was Diego's signature in his careful handwriting. Real. Final. Irreversible.

A surge of relief flooded through her. Finally. She was free to be with Alejandro without any complications.

Isabella looked around the house—her house now—and smiled with genuine satisfaction. She had everything she wanted: her freedom, her house, and most importantly, Alejandro's love and support for her career comeback.

At the same time, Diego had barely stepped onto the sidewalk when the purr of an expensive engine caught his attention.

A sleek black Bentley glided to a stop directly in front of him, its chrome details gleaming in the morning sun. The driver's door opened, and a distinguished man in his fifties emerged, his tailored suit impeccable despite the early hour.

The man's eyes widened the moment he spotted Diego, and he hurried forward with an expression of profound respect.

"Mr. Herrera!" the man called out, slightly breathless. "Thank goodness I found you. I was just coming to meet with—" He paused, glancing toward the house. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

Diego studied the man's face with weary recognition. "Mr. Vega. You're early."

Ricardo Vega, president of Stellar Film Company, one of the most influential entertainment conglomerates in the country, bowed his head slightly. "I apologize for the timing, but I wanted to personally discuss the arrangements we made regarding your wife's role in our upcoming production."

"Former wife," Diego corrected quietly.

Ricardo's face went pale. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Isabella and I are divorced as of this morning. She's no longer my wife."

"Divorced?" Ricardo's voice cracked with disbelief. "But... but the contracts, the agreements we discussed... everything was arranged because..." He trailed off, looking stricken.

Diego slipped his hands into his jacket pockets. "Because of me. I understand."

"Mr. Herrera, I... I don't know what to say. This changes everything." Ricardo ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, disturbing it for the first time Diego had ever seen. "The role, the production backing, the entire project was green-lit specifically because of your involvement."

"I'm aware of that."

"Then what am I supposed to do now? The contracts with Ms. Rodriguez haven't been finalized yet, but she's expecting to sign them today. How do I explain that—"

"You don't explain anything to her," Diego interrupted. "That's your business decision to make, not mine."

Ricardo stared at him. "You mean... you're not going to ask me to honor the original agreement? "

"Why would I? Isabella made it clear she doesn't need anything from me. She believes her... other connections will be sufficient."

Understanding dawned in Ricardo's eyes. "Alejandro Morales."

Diego nodded but said nothing.

Ricardo laughed bitterly. "That fool thinks his family name carries weight in my industry. He's been calling my office for weeks, demanding meetings, making threats about pulling investments that don't even exist."

"Isabella seems to think otherwise."

"Mr. Herrera, with all due respect to Ms. Rodriguez's... situation, the Morales family has no influence over my company whatsoever. The only reason I was willing to take a risk on her comeback was because you asked me to."

Diego pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a long drag. "Then I suppose you have your answer."

"I do." Ricardo straightened his tie. "But there's still the matter of our other arrangement. Your promise regarding my daughter."

Diego's expression softened slightly. "How is Esperanza?"

"Worse." Ricardo's voice broke on the word. "The doctors... they're saying weeks now, maybe days. I've flown in specialists from Switzerland, Germany, Japan. The best money can buy. They all say the same thing."

"Which is?"

"That there's nothing more they can do. Her condition is too rare, too advanced. They've never seen anything like it." Ricardo's hands trembled as he spoke. "You're my last hope, Mr. Herrera. My only hope."

Diego dropped his cigarette and crushed it under his heel. "I gave you my word, Ricardo. That hasn't changed."

"Even though you and Ms. Rodriguez are no longer married? Even though there's no longer any benefit to you in honoring our agreement?"

"A promise is a promise. Personal circumstances don't alter that."

Ricardo's eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Herrera, I—" He started to drop to his knees.

"Don't." Diego caught his arm firmly. "There's no need for that."

"You don't understand. My daughter is everything to me. When my wife died, Esperanza became my whole world. She doesn't deserve to—"

"She won't," Diego said with quiet certainty. "Get in the car. We'll go see her now."

Ricardo's face transformed with hope. "Now? You mean right now?"

"Is there a better time?"

"No! No, of course not. Thank you, Mr. Herrera. Thank you." Ricardo rushed to open the passenger door. "Please, please get in."

Diego stepped into the Bentley when a familiar voice called out behind them.

"Mr. Vega! What a wonderful surprise!"

Mr. Vega men turned to see Carmen Rodriguez, Isabella's mother, approaching with her arms outstretched and a brilliant smile on her face. She was dressed in an expensive tracksuit, clearly returning from her morning yoga class.

"Mrs. Rodriguez." Ricardo's tone went from warm to arctic in an instant. "Good morning."

Carmen's smile faltered at his cold reception, but she pressed on. "I hope you're here to finalize Isabella's contract! We've been so excited about this opportunity. Alejandro Morales speaks so highly of your company."

"Does he?" Ricardo's voice could have frozen fire.

"Oh yes! He was just telling us last night how he arranged everything, how his family's connections opened all the right doors. We're so grateful for his influence."

Ricardo's jaw tightened. "I see."

Carmen continued chattering, oblivious to the tension. "Isabella is so talented, don't you think? And with Alejandro backing her career, I know she'll bring tremendous value to your production. They make such a powerful couple."

"Indeed." Ricardo moved toward the driver's side of his car. "If you'll excuse me, Mrs. Rodriguez, I have urgent business to attend to."

"Of course, of course!" Carmen's eyes suddenly shifted to the passenger side of the Bentley. Through the tinted windows, she caught a glimpse of a familiar silhouette. Her breath caught. "Wait, is that...?"

The figure in the passenger seat turned slightly, and for just a moment, Carmen could have sworn she saw Diego's profile. But that was impossible. Diego was Isabella's nobody husband, a kept man who had never worked a day in his life. What would someone like him be doing in Ricardo Vega's car?

"Is that who, Mrs. Rodriguez?" Ricardo asked, his hand on the door handle.

Carmen blinked, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I thought I saw... but no, it couldn't be. My eyes must be playing tricks on me."

"Quite possibly." Ricardo slid behind the wheel. "Good day, Mrs. Rodriguez."

The Bentley's engine purred to life, and Carmen stepped back as the luxury vehicle glided away from the curb. She stood on the sidewalk, staring after it with a puzzled expression.