Chapter 3
Three days. That’s how long I had to pretend.
So I did. I smiled when expected, laughed on cue, and kept up appearances like everything was fine. But Helena made it almost unbearable. She clung to Diego like a child with a toy, constantly brushing her lips against his, whispering things in his ear as if I weren’t even there. If it was meant to hurt, it didn’t. I felt nothing at all.
The only thing I longed for was to leave.
But Victor noticed something was off. He dragged me aside when no one was looking, his ingers tightening around my wrist.
‘What’s going on with you?” he demanded.
‘Nothing,” I replied, voice flat and emotionless.
His jaw clenched in frustration. “This is about Diego, isn’t it?”
narrowed my eyes. “What are you implying?”
He scoffed. “Don’t pretend you don’t know. You still have feelings for him, don’t you?” He steppec closer, lowering his voice. “You’re mine, Liana. I’m your husband.”
blinked slowly and let out a soft, dry laugh. “You’re being paranoid.”
His stare turned hard, but before he could explode, I dropped the facade-just enough. I let my face crumble and coaxed out a few tears, letting them slide down my cheeks. “I just feel… lost,” I whispered. “Everything’s still fuzzy. It’s like I’m trapped in someone else’s life.”
Victor hesitated. His expression softened just a bit as he cupped my face, brushing his thumb gently across my skin like he was trying to comfort me. It made my stomach turn.
Later that evening, I found myself alone on the balcony. The breeze did little to cool the fire brewing inside me. Laughter echoed from below-guests drinking and celebrating Helena and Diego’s upcoming marriage like it was some kind of fairy tale. Lies. All of it. A repulsive, carefully crafted charade.
I heard footsteps approaching behind me. I didn’t have to turn. I already knew who it was.
Diego.
I glanced over my shoulder and offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.
He leaned against the balcony railing, his gaze fixed on me. “Didn’t expect to find you out here.”
I tilted my head slightly, pretending to study him. “It’s odd,” I murmured, voice low. “Whenever see you… there’s this strange familiarity.”
His body tensed.
I took a step forward, fingers trailing along the railing casually. “It’s like there’s something I’m supposed to remember, but it keeps slipping away.”
I met his eyes, watching for any flicker of guilt. “And yet… nothing ever sticks.”
Diego swallowed hard. “Liana-”
I lowered my lashes. “You know, I’ve noticed how people act around me. Like they’re hiding something. Like they’re afraid I’ll remember.”
I stepped in closer, slowly closing the distance. “It’s strange, how you always seem to be watching me.”
My fingers reached up to brush against his tie. My voice dropped to a whisper. “What is it you’re afraid I’ll realize?”
His breath caught. “I…”
I leaned in, lips nearly grazing his ear. “You want me to remember, don’t you?”
He didn’t move. He was paralyzed.
I rested a hand gently against his chest. “Maybe you could help me unlock it,” I whispered.
That was all it took.
His hands found my waist, pulling me in before his lips crashed against mine-urgent, desperate. I let him.
Just long enough.
The door behind us slammed open.
Helena’s scream cut through the air like a knife. “You witch!”
She lunged at me, fists full of my hair as she dragged me backward with force.
“What is wrong with you?!” she shouted, voice full of rage as she shook me.
I yanked myself free, staggering back. “He kissed me!” I shouted. “Diego’s the one who did it!”
Diego didn’t even flinch before turning on me. “She came onto me,” he said smoothly, like he’ rehearsed the lie a thousand times.
And then came the slap.
My mother’s hand flew across my face so fast I barely had time to react.
“You’ve brought shame to all of us,” she seethed. “How dare you flirt with your sister’s fiancé?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. Hollow. Empty. “Sister’s fiancé?” I repeated, my fingers brushing the sting on my cheek. “How ironic.”
Victor stood nearby, saying nothing. Just watching.
I turned to face him. “Are you going to defend me? Or are you just another bystander?”
He sighed heavily. “You need to stop this, Liana.”
“Stop what?” I snapped. “Speaking up? Telling the truth? Helena destroyed my life, and now I’m the villain because I won’t let it go?”
His expression darkened, unreadable.
I spun around, ready to leave, but his voice caught me mid-step.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I turned on him, my patience gone. “Why does it matter to you?”
“You’re ruining Helena’s wedding!” he yelled.
I let out a humorless laugh. “You really care that much?”
“She’s your sister,” he said simply.
That was it. That was all he had left.
}
I shook my head slowly. “You’re all exactly the same.”
Before I could walk away, chaos erupted inside. Someone shouted, “Helena’s fainted!”
Victor immediately rushed back in. My mother came storming outside and slapped me again.
I didn’t even flinch this time.
“If anything happens to Helena’s baby, it’ll be your fault!” she screamed. “Don’t show your face at the wedding! Ever! Get out!”
But the words didn’t cut anymore. I was already numb.
Without another glance, I turned and walked away.
I changed my mind.
