He Stole My Love, Heart and My Future... But I'm Taking It Back.

ly'

are special, juliet red roses for our five-year mark. My hands shake a bit as I put the wrapped gift bo

, eyes stuck to his phone as always. The morning light shines on his expensive watch, Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sa

se that cost me a lot of money. "Just put it somewhere. I

eo moved into our home two years ago. Carlos said she was his step-sister who had recently lost her husband. Since then, I've become like a st

t, black with one sugar. The cup makes a small clink against the saucer, the sound echoing i

his phone. "Daniela and I have dinner with the Rivera busines

I put it down too hard. "On our anniversary? Car

wed off her still flat stomach. Her long dark hair falls in perfect waves, and her Christian Louboutin Beauty makeup is

stiffly, wiping spilled

on Carlos's shoulder with easy closeness, "anything a

to the floor with a thud. "Oops,"

ying to keep my voice steady des

You can't tell me what to do. Y

to correct his so-called nephew.

th clear annoyance. "Emily, he's just a child. You're being too s

ainst the silver wrapping paper. "I'll take care of this, Carlos. We need to

French scent I've never used because it gave me headaches. How did she get it? The question burn

ot looking at me as he picks up his Ralph L

hands to stop them from shaking. "We still need to go over the final detai

56-02 Sapphire watch. "Just handle it. That's why I let you run th

is my life's work, built from the ground up with my passion and hard work over the last four

g to keep my voice professional. "The building designer, Alejandro Vega, needs

eyes. "Do I have to do everything? Wasn't your college degree

in the wall holding back years of bad feelings.

to me fully for the f

I say quietly. "It's thi

ng into my skin, pulling me into the hallway away from

eated like I'm nothing in my own home. Tired o

sband. Mateo needs a stable home. How many times must we go through t

bove a whisper as I look into the eyes of the man I on

ecking his watch again. "This is exactly why I can't

reat me, you shut me down. Every time I ask for even th

g ring pressing into my flesh. "They're my f

thing I've given you, my family's money that started your business, my ideas that yo

her voice sweet but demanding. "We're going t

f me, stepping back quic

forming. "You'll come home drunk and crawl into bed, or sleep in

muscle twitching in his cheek. "

desk drawer, Carlos and Daniela at the beach, kissing passionately. The date on it showed it was taken two years before our marria

none of th

, straightening my shoulders. "

ugh his perfectly styled hai

eting is waiting. I wouldn't want t

hand staying on her back in a way too close for a step-brother. Mateo jumps in behind them, sure of his

end Sofia has been telling me to go for months. "You deserve better," she keeps

't leave.

ing Carlos knows nothing about. In three months, it will be free, and I'll have the money I need to walk

s truly mine, is legally tied to Carlos's business. Leaving now would mean abandoning the children who depend on

Need to talk to you about tomorrow's charity event.

hip and her skill with checking money

inging that building designer, Alejandro Vega. He has great id

g through the gloom. The charity is my safe place, the one place where Carlos's shadow doesn't completely darken my life

ur wedding day, both smiling. I was so young then, so blindly in love with the charming businessman who promised me