2025-09-30 22:50:01
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Chapter 22
The morning sun cast long shadows across the villa's grounds as Diego stepped outside, his conversation with Esperanza still fresh in his mind. She'd already begun making calls to her father's contacts in the underground gambling circuits. By evening, they'd have everything they needed.But first, he needed to clear his head.Diego walked past the manicured gardens until he found an empty clearing surrounded by tall hedges—private, secluded, perfect. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the familiar pull of muscles preparing for movement.Then he began.The first position looked deceptively simple—a low crouch with one arm extended, the other tucked tight against his ribs. But as he shifted into the second form, his body twisted in ways that defied normal human flexibility, his spine curving at angles that should have been impossible.The movements flowed like water changing shape—twelve core forms that connected seamlessly, each one pushing past the limits of what the human body was desi
Chapter 21
Alejandro paced Isabella's living room like a caged animal, his mind racing through calculations. One week. He had one week before his creditors came to collect—and they wouldn't accept excuses.He stopped abruptly, turning to face Isabella with an expression of sudden inspiration. "Mi amor, I've been thinking."Isabella looked up from her phone, her eyes still red from crying. "About what?""About us. About our future." He crossed to her, taking her hands in his. "If you want my father to truly invest in your career, to use all his resources to help you—there's only one way to guarantee his commitment.""What do you mean?""Marriage." The word hung in the air between them. "Once you become his daughter-in-law, he'll move heaven and earth to support you. Family loyalty is everything to the Morales family."Isabella's breath caught. "You want to marry me?""I want to make you my wife as soon as possible." Alejandro's voice dripped with false sincerity. "I can't stand watching you suffe
Chapter 20
The ride back to Isabella's house was suffocating with tension. Alejandro gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white, while Isabella stared blankly out the window, her mascara-streaked face reflecting in the glass.When they finally pulled into the driveway, Carmen was already at the door, her face bright with expectation."Well?" she called out eagerly. "Did that lobby manager come crawling to apologize? Did Ricardo Vega himself grovel at your feet for the precious gift you gave his daughter?"Isabella stumbled out of the car, her legs barely supporting her weight. Her mother's face fell instantly at the sight of her daughter's destroyed appearance."Isabella? What happened? Why do you look like—""She wasn't a lobby manager," Isabella whispered, her voice hollow. "The woman... she was Esperanza Vega. Ricardo Vega's daughter."Carmen's mouth fell open. "What?""His daughter!" Isabella's voice cracked into a hysterical laugh. "The woman I accused of sleeping her way to the top, th
Chapter 19
The kitchen filled with the aromatic scent of herbs and broth as Esperanza finished preparing the noodles. She carried the bowl carefully, leaning over to set it on the table in front of Diego. As she bent forward, the silk nightdress shifted, revealing a glimpse of pale skin at her chest."There's something here," Diego said suddenly, his hand moving toward her.Esperanza froze mid-motion, her body going rigid. Her mind raced with a thousand conflicting thoughts. Was he using this as an excuse? Should she refuse politely? Scold him?But Diego's fingers simply pinched something small from her cleavage, his touch was making her feel jittery in her stomach and sensation on her skin as he pulled back with a faint smile."Just a bug," he said calmly, holding it between his thumb and forefinger. "I didn't want it falling into the bowl."Esperanza exhaled shakily, relief flooding through her. "Oh, I—"The insect wriggled between Diego's fingers."Ahh!" Esperanza shrieked, her CEO composure
Chapter 18
Esperanza climbed the stairs to her bedroom, her heart still racing from the conversation downstairs. The moment she closed the door behind her, her phone buzzed with an incoming message.Father: Did you successfully invite him to stay?She smiled, typing back quickly. He's here. He agreed to stay temporarily.The response came almost immediately. Excellent! This is your chance, Esperanza. Get closer to him. Find out what he needs. If you need any help creating opportunities, just tell me.Esperanza stared at her phone in mild disbelief. Her father had never been this enthusiastic about setting her up with anyone before. In fact, he'd actively discouraged most of her previous relationships, claiming the men weren't worthy of her.She typed back: Father, why are you so eager about this? What makes him so special?You'll understand in time. Just trust me on this—Diego Herrera is not an ordinary man. Get to know him. You won't regret it.But his medical skills aside, what else is there?
Chapter 17
Esperanza watched Diego's face carefully as the implications of Alejandro's debt scheme settled between them. His expression remained calm, but she could sense the wheels turning behind those composed eyes."So," she said quietly, "do you want to tell Isabella the truth? That the man she believes is her soulmate is actually just using her to pay off his gambling debts?"Diego was silent for a long moment, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "I'm not sure it would matter.""What do you mean?""Even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me." His voice was flat, matter-of-fact. "She'd think I was lying out of jealousy or spite. She's already convinced herself that I'm a vindictive bastard trying to destroy her happiness.""That's probably true," Esperanza admitted. "But doesn't she deserve to know the truth?"Diego exhaled slowly. "We're divorced. What she does with her life is no longer my responsibility.""But?"He met her eyes. "But I don't want to watch anyone be deceived like that,
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