Chapter 15

Chapter 15:

Fernanda’s eyes, bright as polished jewels, widened in astonishment as Cristian appeared out of nowhere.

Cristian, too, was momentarily surprised to find her there. From the moment he stepped onto the grand estate, his attention had been drawn to her. She stood out effortlessly, a presence that was impossible to overlook. Amidst the crowd, Fernanda shone like a beacon, her very being radiating an irresistible glow.

“Why are you here?” Cristian asked, gently lifting Fernanda’s chin to meet his gaze, his voice calm but firm. “There’s no mention of the Molina family on tonight’s guest list.”

A shadow flickered across his face, his eyes narrowing as he continued sharply, “Letty Molina? That’s a false name, isn’t it?”

Fernanda’s anger flared at the way he cornered her, his tone full of audacity, as if he had some claim over her.

She tried to pull away, ready to leave, but his arm tightened around her waist, holding her in place.

“Let go of me!” Fernanda snapped, her frosty eyes locked on his. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

“What is your real name?” Cristian pressed, ignoring her resistance.

“That is none of your concern,” Fernanda replied coldly.

Cristian moved even closer, so near that she could feel the warmth of his breath and almost sense the steady rhythm of his heart.

Memories of their previous encounter, when they had been even closer, flashed through Fernanda’s mind, heightening her agitation.

“I already know, even if you won’t admit it,” Cristian whispered softly into her ear, his voice low and intimate. “Fernanda Morgan. What a beautiful name.”

“What’s the point of asking if you’ve already figured it out?” Fernanda shot back, irritation sparking in her gaze.

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“I wanted to hear it from your lips,” Cristian replied, his eyes lingering on her natural, unadorned face. “Fernanda, believe me, I mean no harm. I truly admire you. There’s no need for you to keep your distance.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Fernanda answered sharply, locking eyes with him. “This is how I am with everyone.”

A smile played at Cristian’s lips, bright enough to chase away any shadows. “Alright, that clears things up. Thanks.”

“Can you let me go now?” Fernanda asked, her tone firm.

At her words, Cristian released her and stepped back. Fernanda turned and walked away swiftly, her dress swirling around her legs like delicate petals caught in a breeze. Her retreating figure resembled a striking portrait come to life.

Cristian watched her go and murmured softly to himself, “Am I truly so intimidating?”

In the past, Cristian had never developed deep feelings for any woman. He had always kept a consistent emotional distance, treating everyone with impartial detachment. Yet this was the first time he experienced a faint sense of disappointment because of a woman’s indifference.

Leaning against the trunk of a tree, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. His encounters with her had oddly made him smoke more frequently.

Just as he was about to light one, he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder.

Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with Bobby, whose features were partially hidden by a baseball cap and, curiously, a pair of sunglasses even in the darkness.

“Did you catch a glimpse of her?” Bobby asked quietly, curiosity in his voice. “What’s the eldest Morgan daughter like?”

He had intentionally avoided the crowded main lawn, seeking out this quiet corner in hopes that Cristian would share some details.

Cristian hesitated for a moment. The realization that the enchanting woman Bobby was so eager to hear about was actually his fiancée might just knock him off his feet.

Misinterpreting Cristian’s silence, Bobby’s eyes widened in alarm and he exclaimed dramatically, “Seriously? Is she that awful? Is she some sort of nightmarish creature beyond words?”

Cristian drew a slow breath from his cigarette, releasing a swirl of smoke into the air. “She’s very pretty.”

Bobby, lost in his own anxious thoughts, dismissed Cristian’s comment as a hollow reassurance. To him, any compliment sounded like a polite fiction, a comforting lie meant to ease his worries.

“She has the kind of beauty that captivates you,” Cristian said, hoping to clarify his sincerity.

Bobby shot him a skeptical look, his voice edged with cynicism. “The more you go on, the faker it sounds.”

Unbothered, Cristian took another slow drag from his cigarette. “Believe me, I’m telling you the truth.”

Deep down, Cristian almost wished his words were just a facade, but the reality was undeniable.

Visibly frustrated, Bobby pulled off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair. “You must be mocking me! If she’s really as stunning as you claim, why don’t you marry her?”

Cristian, momentarily surprised by Bobby’s outburst, narrowed his eyes and looked toward the brightly lit part of the estate. He could almost see her there, her dress swirling elegantly as she moved through the crowd.

“Fine,” Cristian said, his expression resolute. “I will marry her.”

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