Mariana bent down to pick up the bills.<\/p>\n
By Julia14\/01\/20263 Mins Read<\/p>\n
Mariana bent down to pick up the bills.<\/p>\n
Not because she needed them, but because she didn\u2019t want them to stain the pristine marble.<\/p>\n
She carefully placed them on the edge of the trash can and said calmly,<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should keep them. That money\u2026 you\u2019re going to need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alejandro froze for a second.<\/p>\n
There was no resentment in her tone.<\/p>\n
Nor was there any pleading.<\/p>\n
That calmness\u2026 unsettled him more than any reproach.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you still acting so self-important?\u201d Alejandro growled, turning to Camila. \u201cSee? Poor, but full of pride.\u201d<\/p>\n
Camila let out a mocking laugh and clung tighter to Alejandro\u2019s arm, looking Mariana up and down with disdain.<\/p>\n
At that moment, a group of men in black suits entered the lobby.
\nAt the front was a gray-haired man with a commanding presence and a respectable gaze, followed by executives and a press team.<\/p>\n
The mall manager bowed deeply:<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Mariana, everything is ready. The presentation will begin in three minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire lobby fell silent.<\/p>\n
Alejandro paled.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Mariana?\u201d His voice was choked, as if someone were squeezing his throat.<\/p>\n
Mariana nodded slightly.
\nShe placed the cloth on the cleaning cart.
\nShe calmly removed her gloves.<\/p>\n
An assistant immediately approached and draped an elegant white blazer over her shoulders.<\/p>\n
In a matter of seconds, the \u201ccleaning attendant\u201d was gone.<\/p>\n
Now another woman stood before Alejandro:<\/p>\n
Her hair was loose, her posture straight, her gaze deep and cold.<\/p>\n
The gray-haired man stepped forward and announced in a clear voice:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is an honor to introduce you to Mrs. Mariana Ortega, founder of the \u2018Phoenix of Fire\u2019 brand and principal investor in this exclusive collection launching tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alejandro took a step back, completely distraught.<\/p>\n
The red dress with rubies behind Mariana\u2014the same one he had scorned\u2014bore his name on it.<\/p>\n
Mariana turned to face him.<\/p>\n
And smiled.<\/p>\n
But it was no longer the fragile smile of the woman from seven years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven years ago you said I wasn\u2019t good enough for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA few minutes ago you said I could never touch this dress.\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised her hand. The staff opened the display case.<\/p>\n
Mariana touched the red fabric with grace.
\nThe lights made the lobby seem to be ablaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat a shame\u2026\u201d she whispered. \u201cBecause the one who no longer has the right to touch any of this\u2026 is you.\u201d<\/p>\n
At that moment, Alejandro\u2019s phone began to vibrate incessantly.<\/p>\n
Message from his secretary:<\/p>\n
\u201cSir, the strategic partner has just withdrawn the entire investment. They\u2019ve signed an exclusive contract with\u2026 Ms. Mariana Ortega.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he could react, Camila abruptly released his arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeren\u2019t you supposed to be vice president? Was it all a lie?\u201d<\/p>\n
She turned and left, her heels clicking like hammer blows on Alejandro\u2019s shattered pride.<\/p>\n
Mariana walked past him.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t look at him.<\/p>\n
She only left a phrase hanging in the air, soft as the wind:<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you\u2026 for letting go of me that day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alejandro stood motionless in the middle of the lobby, surrounded by luxury, flashes, and whispers, trapped in a reality he never imagined he would face.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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