ed the key from security, her mind already distancing itself from the conversation they'd had the previous night, accepting

ar indication of a night that had been anything but innocent. Lucia's breath hitched, her heart sinking as she realized the truth. Thi

k. "Good morning, sir," Lucia greeted him as though nothing w

. "Morning, Emily," he replied absentmindedly, his tone indif

r voice steady despite the jagg

ed, tightening her grip on Diego's arm, "look at her. She's not even dressed professionally for a driver. How c

you're not even married to him and already acting like it, she thought, but ou

, as though Lucia was little more than an afterthought. He opened the door for the woman, helping her

r between Diego and the woman continued, filling the air in the car with tension. The woman made no effort to be disc

just of the vehicle, but of the torrent of emotions threatening to break through. The reality of the situation hit her like a tidal

s tone laced with mild c

ipping the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned

tinued her assault. "I'm so lucky to have you," she cooed, placing

to let her emotions get the best of her. She needed to keep her cool, no mat

oman's hand from his chest with an air of finality. "I appreciate the compliment, but th

er arms, her flirtatious demeanor vanishing. "Whatever," she muttered un

iego sighed, rubbing his temples as if exhausted by the brief exchange. "Take me to the

layer to r&b and st

ly spoke again, this time complimenting

anks sir. She wasn't ex

. "Alright, Emily. I noticed you always

hough, her heart twisted painfully at having to hide who she

o's building, her chest felt tight, like she couldn't breathe. When Diego stepped out of the car, he gave her

ps as the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over. Sobs wracked her body as the weight of everything crashed down on her. She had k

phone, her fingers trembling

ing as usual. But when she heard Lucia's sobs on the other

He was with another woman last night. I had to drive t

oncern. "I'm so sorry. I knew this would be hard, but

I could handle this, but...seeing him with her, hearing them talk about last ni

e afraid of. You knew there was a chance you'd catch him doing something like

Ivy, but it's different when you're actually living it. I just

one holding all the cards here. You're not just his fiancée-you're his driver now

h as it pained her to admit. This was exactly what she had set out to do-to

e whispered. "I ne

Ivy assured her. "Just t

e still shaky but with a hint o

naline. She sat there for a few more minutes, allowing herself a moment t

engine's hum drowning out the lingering echoes of her he

nd the city, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn't organize. She had seen him with another woman. She had heard him dismiss her so

Diego's building, waiting for him to finish work. She had managed to push her emot

n. It was Ivy again. Lucia answered, her voice

st checking in on you.

I'm trying, but it's hard. I keep replaying this morning in my head.

art. You saw it with your own eyes. Now you know the truth, but you have to keep going

eone else around him. I have to smile, to act like everything's fine w

ce, Lucia. Just not y

alone this time. Relief washed over her. No woman on his arm,

rong," Ivy said b

d. As soon as he slid into the back seat, L

, still scrolling through h

er tone formal, though hearing him

. I've got a meeting tonight,

to the club for a "meeting"? Was he really meeting someone for work, or was there something

stepped out of the car and turned t

d, watching him disapp

assed slowly, each minute feeling like an eternity. She kept telling herself to stay calm, to stay focused, but

again. Ivy. Lucia

e you?" I

ego said he had a meeting,"

ore speaking again. "Do you th

a admitted. "I just

ng casually around another woman's waist. Her heart shattered all over again. The woman was laughi

ut through her thought

t tight as she tried to keep the tears at bay. "Ivy,

w who he really is. This is exactly why you're doing this, r

bling on the wheel. "I just didn'

h this," Ivy said. "Just st

ng to herself. "Yeah. You're rig

red the woman inside without a word to "Emily." Lucia's heart clenched as she saw him be

into Diego's ear. Lucia tried to tune it out, but every word felt like a knife twi

ked up the steps to his apartment. Diego turned to Lucia, his eyes meeting he

, her voice steady despit

into the house, leaving Lucia

ars streamed down her face, her body shaking with sobs. She pressed her forehead against the st

stopped, and she wiped her face, her resolve hardening once again. This was exactly why she had tak

o the hotel. She would continue, no matter how pa