recisely 7:30 AM. Her heart pounded in her chest, still unsure of what she'd uncover eac

as he handed her the car key,

ucia replied, keepi

ng at Diego as he stepped out of the house,

eat. Diego slid into the backseat without a second glance, still preoccupied with whateve

d as they drove off, her voi

lied, his eyes still

. "I'm Emily, sir. I noticed you had quite a hec

s. "At least I know your name now, Emily," he said, before adding, "I tr

. "I won't disappoint you, sir," she replied confid

Diego said, leaning ba

hrough the rearview mirror. He looked so calm and unaware, completely tr

hone rang. His expression shifted as he answer

his voice suddenly sof

ng. Babe? Was he calling her-or someone else? Her stomach twis

ontinued, a faint smile playing on his lips

aggers, each one cutting deeper as she tried to process what was happening. Who was he talk

kept driving, her mind reeling, trying to maintain her composure. She had started this game to test his l

with the weight of what she had just overheard. Diego stepped

was seeing someone else, how could he claim to miss her so much? The plan she had started in search of

ar was parked. Her thoughts raced, a mix of disbelief and anger swirling in her chest. The reality o

someone new, or had he b

e with you tonight." It was as if everything she had feared from the start of this charade was

he'd anticipated. She wanted to scream, to confront him, but she was still locked in her role. Emil

lting her from her t

trying to steady her emoti

ny updates?" Ivy asked, h

e replied, "I overheard him talking to someone.

end of the line before Ivy fina

strained with emotion. "I don't kn

Ivy sighed. "I told you this might backfi

ubbling just beneath the surface. "I

s like he's playing both sides," Ivy r

oing to do? She had hoped to catch Diego's loyalty-or lack thereof-but now that she had ev

re out what's going on. I need more proof... I can'

," Ivy warned. "Th

. "But I need to see this

ring blankly ahead. Her heart felt heavy, but her determination

losed from work she went back to t

stepped inside, shutting the door behind her with a soft click, her mind racing. Without wasting a moment, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling

ss into her voice, desperately trying to

g, but there was something-an underlying distraction that sent a cold shiver throu

ered, her attempt at nonchalance failing to mask

h his words came with a slight hesita

is voice triggered a sense of unease she couldn't ignore. "Any plans for

re of," he said quickly, too quickly. "I'll

e but could surely hear in her tone. "I was hoping we could talk all night."

he replied, his words betraying a hint of unc

"Sure," she said, masking the hurt that bloomed inside her

hanging up, leaving Lucia staring blankly at he

t it was his tone-the slight inflections, the way he had quickly dismissed her-that gnawed at her, raising doubts she cou

't telling her? The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on her chest, and for th

small hotel room, her mind racing with the possibilities. Diego's sudden plans for the eve

ghts. It was Ivy again, checking in. Lucia an

ce was light, but Lucia could

n her composure. "I just spoke to him," she sai

ed, immediately picking up on

thudding painfully in her chest. "But something felt wrong. Hi

ent. "I knew this was going to get comp

n hardening. "I need to find out who he's with," she said fir

ice urgent. "Be careful. I know you're

a replied, her resolve solidifying. "I'm go

know how hard this is right now, but you need to stay

s words were barely registering, the pull

the line. You have to hear me. Don't act impulsively. If you get caught, things coul

her mind fixated on Diego

sleep, okay? Think this through." With that, Ivy hung up, leaving Lu

ulders, but the gnawing doubt inside her refused to let go. She set the ph