Karina wasn't the only one secretly watching Eva and Alexey. Outside the gates, in the shadows, stood Maxim. He saw Eva throwing herself at his rival, and he saw her being driven away. Fury boiled inside him—not out of jealousy, but because Eva dared to threaten his property. He was sure that neither the police nor Karina would punish her as he could. Maxim dialed a phone number. The call was answered by the driver of the car taking Eva away—the same bandit who had recently threatened Alina's mother.
— Turn off. You have fifteen minutes, — Maxim commanded.
— Understood, boss. A quiet spot.
The car with Eva veered off the main road towards a dark forest. Her eyes, previously blurred with tears and fury, widened with animal fear. Where were they going? This wasn't the right route, not the main road to the airport or the city. She tried to open the door, but it was locked. Locked. The realization that she was alone, defenseless, and that none of those who had recently stood behind her would come to her aid, pierced Eva with icy terror.
— Hey, where are you going?! — She screamed, her voice breaking into a shriek. — This is the wrong road! Stop the car!
At that moment, headlights from behind illuminated the cabin. Another car was catching up. Maxim. Eva was dragged out of the car. Her eyes, full of horror, met Maxim's absolutely calm, deadly gaze.
— Who are you?! — Eva exclaimed in surprise and confusion, her body already trembling. Maxim spoke quietly, as if stating a fact:
— I am the one who will punish you as you deserve. You wanted to harm Alina. My woman. For the mistake of sleeping with me, I will spare your life. But for wanting to break her legs, you will get exactly what you planned.
He nodded to his henchman. The man grabbed a bat and delivered several powerful blows to Eva's kneecaps. A dull, sickening crunch echoed. Eva screamed with unbearable, instantaneous pain, choking on terror, realizing that her life, her body, her future—were now in the hands of this ruthless man, and no one would hear her screams in this wilderness. As the girl writhed in pain, Maxim approached her, grabbed her hair, and hissed:
— And if you tell anyone, you won't live to see the trial. To everyone, you just fell and broke your leg.
The next day, a feverish calm reigned at the villa. The show had to go on, despite yesterday's criminal scandal, which had already become the main news in the tabloids. The three remaining couples—including Alina and Maxim—were preparing for a new, key task: a wedding photoshoot. The couples had to show the viewers how they looked together in wedding outfits and talk about the kind of wedding they planned to finally "seal" their union.
While the participants prepared in their room, Alexey paced back and forth. The finale was approaching, and he couldn't concentrate. The fear of not repaying the stepfather's debt weighed on him. At that moment, as if in response to his anxiety, his assistant, Igor, knocked on the door.
— Sorry to interrupt, Alexey, but you asked me to keep you updated on the stepfather's case, — Igor said quietly, handing him a folder of documents. Alexey greedily snatched the papers.
— What's in there? Did you pay off the debt?
— No. That's the problem I couldn't figure out, — Igor lowered his voice. — We can't pay off this debt. Not because we don't have the money, but because the debt obligation is to Maxim. — Igor pointed to the last page in the folder. — According to the documents, he was the one who orchestrated the financial collapse of Alina's stepfather back then. He threw him into this debt pit.
The silence in the office became deafening. Alexey stood motionless, his eyes darting frantically across the papers, reading what he refused to comprehend. Maxim. The one who was constantly by Alina's side. The one she was now paired with. All the pieces in Alexey's head finally clicked into one horrible picture.
— He... he set all this up, — Alexey whispered, his face white with anger and realization. — He used me to get to Alina! To pay off the debt and force her to marry him.
Alexey grabbed the folder of documents as if it were a weapon and rushed out of the room. He had to find Alina. Immediately.
Alina slowly stepped out onto the balcony, watching the lazy sun rise over the sea. It, like an artist, painted the water in pink-gold tones. The sound of the waves filled the space, echoing the trembling in her chest. It seemed that only she and the restless sea, reflecting her heart's confusion, remained in this world. But there was no turning back: Alina had to take this step. Returning to the room, Alina looked at the wedding dress. It seemed the embodiment of a dream: the light fabric flowed across the floor, resembling sea waves, and the lace shimmered in the sun. She barely had time to slip it on when there was a knock at the door. Her heart froze. A slight tremor ran through her body, predicting something inevitable and dangerous. "Maxim..." Alina thought and hurried to open it. But Alexey stood before her. His iron, furious gaze pierced her through. She tried to close the door, but he wouldn't let her. Flying into the room, Alexey pinned her against the wall with one movement. The lace of the dress rustled from the sharp motion, as if protesting. Alina's heart pounded, her breath hitched.
— Alexey... let go! — Alina gasped, trying to break free.
— You cannot be with anyone else! — He replied.
Before she could push him away, his lips crashed down on hers, depriving her of air and the ability to think. It wasn't a kiss, but a seizure, a predator's gesture asserting his ownership. Alina tried to resist, but his hands wrapped around her waist like iron hoops, pressing her so close that she felt every line of his strong body, feeling the heat even through the thin fabric. The kiss was persistent, demanding, cruel—and through it shone the fury of five years of searching. The delicate lace of the wedding dress dug into her skin like thorns, reminding her of the vow and the deception. It became unbearably difficult for her to breathe, not from lack of air, but from the surging, treacherous desire. Blood pulsed in her temples with a deafening rhythm, and her mind panicked: Maxim... this kiss would be heard even if he just approached the door. Alina continued to struggle, but the forces were unequal. Her mind screamed, "Don't!", but her body, as if remembering his every touch from five years ago, responded with a tremor. His every move, every kiss, ignited a fire within her. In a hoarse whisper, he kept uttering words that made her head spin even more:
— You can only be mine... belong only to me.
In the doorway, like a ghost, Maxim appeared. He was already in a snow-white wedding suit, which now seemed like an executioner's attire. His face, previously pleased and self-assured, instantly tightened, contorted by fury at the sight of Alexey pressing his bride against the wall.
— Don't rush, groom, — Alexey's voice was cold as ice. He released Alina and took a step toward Maxim. — There will be no wedding.
Maxim tried to pretend he was in control of the situation, his voice trembling with contained rage:
— Alexey, you're out of your mind. Get out.
— I'm sound of mind, Maxim. You're the one who's leaving the game now, — Alexey forcefully emptied the contents of the folder onto the antique table. Papers, bank statement printouts, photographs scattered across the room. He turned to Alina, and his eyes showed pain for her. — Alina, you must know the truth. Maxim doesn't need this show's money, he's a multimillionaire. We've known each other for a long time. When he found out I was doing the show, he came to me and offered not only to become a sponsor but also to contribute to the prize money.
Alina looked at the snow-white pages, at the words that formed a monstrous truth. She felt the ground vanish beneath her feet.
— Well, why? Why did you hide the truth from me? — Alina said, not understanding and still disbelieving it all, her voice thin as broken glass.
Maxim, who had maintained his mask until the last moment, lost control. His voice broke into a scream that mingled passion and the fury of possession.
— Because I love you, Alina! — He bellowed, taking a step toward her. — I saw no other way out! You constantly said you wouldn't be with a rich man. I had to lie to be with you. I was afraid if you knew the truth, you would leave me.
— Yes, but you're not telling the whole truth, Maxim, — Alexey threw a stack of papers at him, hitting Maxim's face. — You were the ringleader of the bandits to whom Alina's stepfather owes money. You ordered him to be driven into the debt pit, and then blackmailed the family and intimidated Alina.
Alina swayed, the dress feeling like lead.
— I don't understand. Max, why? Why did you do this to me?
— Why?! You didn't notice me for two years! You walked right past me! How else could I get your attention?! I wanted to be a hero to you. You pushed me into this deception!
— You're insane, — Alina gasped.
The truth, spoken by him, was so repulsive that Alina's pain of guilt and shame was replaced by an all-consuming, pure fury.
— You are both disgusting. Get out, — Alina said, swaying from nervous stress.
Maxim rushed to her feet, trying to hug her knees, his elegance gone, leaving only a wild, possessive plea.
— Alina, remember how good we were! I can't let you go! I love you!
Alexey pushed him away from her.
— Hands off!
Maxim, blinded by rage and humiliation, jumped up. A fight erupted instantly. Alexey struck first—a precise, stinging blow to the jaw that sent Maxim flying to the wall. He crashed against the antique dresser with a dull thud, sending vases and trinkets scattering. Alina recoiled toward the window, her wedding dress crumpled. Her horror was silent; she saw not two men, but two obsessed, wild beasts dividing prey. Screams, blows, the crash of breaking furniture—the room was turning into a battlefield. The fight, destroying the antique interior, moved into the corridor. In the control room, Karina, watching the cameras, jumped up abruptly, tossing her tablet.
— Security to Alina's room immediately! Urgent!
In the corridor, Maxim, stumbling over fragments of the ruined decor, saw a large, sharp shard of a broken vase on the floor. Madness gleamed in his eyes. Grabbing the earthenware knife, he spun around sharply. Alexey, standing with his back to him and about to continue the fight, didn't see the threat. Maxim raised his arm to strike him in the back. Alina, rushing out to stop them, saw the deadly trajectory of the shard. With a cry full of despair, she lunged forward. She shielded Alexey, and the sharp piece of earthenware pierced the fabric of her dress, going deep into her shoulder. Scarlet blood instantly bloomed on the snow-white silk. From the sharp, unbearable pain and shock, Alina lost consciousness. Alexey, screaming in horror, "Alina!" fell to his knees, catching her limp body. At this critical moment, when his attention was entirely absorbed by the wounded Alina, Maxim, taking advantage of his vulnerability, grabbed a heavy, massive metal candlestick. Mad, animal fury distorted his face. He raised the candlestick to deliver a decisive blow to Alexey's head. It was at this critical moment that Karina burst into the corridor like a whirlwind, along with security.
— Stop! Everyone stop! — Karina's scream was sharp as a gunshot.
The security guards immediately pounced on Maxim, pinning his arms and wrenching the heavy candlestick away. Maxim howled with powerlessness and rage but was neutralized. The show had reached its bloody, unpredictable finale.
Twenty-four hours later, Alina regained consciousness in her room. The wound was deep but not fatal. Nearby, haggard and guilty, sat Alexey. He hadn't slept, watching over her. Seeing her open her eyes, he reached for her hand.
— Alina, I...
— Leave, — She whispered. Her voice was weak, but steel. — You're no better than Maxim. At least he pretended to be good. But you played with me ruthlessly and lied to me.
— Alina, no! Listen to me! That's not true! I didn't know the whole truth about Maxim either. If I had known right away that you were his fiancée, I would have...
— You knew I was his fiancée when we arrived at the villa... you not only failed to expose the deception, you used it to play with me, forcing me to go through this humiliation in front of the whole country.
Alina looked at him, and her eyes showed heavy, bitter disappointment. She slowly rose from the bed, despite the pain in her shoulder. She did not accept his help.
— Don't touch me. I don't need your help. I don't need anyone's help anymore.
— Alina, please...
— You saved me on the mountain. I saved your life by blocking Maxim's blow. We are even.
— Alina, my feelings for you...
— Do you really think that by beating Maxim, you proved your love? No. You proved that you can act when you are humiliated, when your property was about to be stolen.
— That's not true. I love you!
— Love? You knew your mother hated me, but you never fought for us, five years ago! You just passively allowed me to leave, believing someone else's lie because it was easier and more convenient for your position, — Her voice rose. — You played with me on the show, knowing I was trapped. Maxim is a predator, he openly demonstrates his darkness. And you, Alexey, are just a coward who acts only when you are wounded! I no longer want to be a prize in your games. Leave, — Her voice was now quiet, but absolutely steel. She began to pack her few belongings, not looking at him. — Everything between us ended five years ago. I don't want to see you anymore. Stop continuing to hurt me.
The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. At that moment, he was truly broken and helpless. For the first time, Alexey didn't know how to act or what to do. He lowered his head and, finding no more strength to fight, left the room. He didn't know what to say or how to keep Alina.
An hour later, Karina found Alexey on the balcony, where he stood leaning against the railing. He was broken, his gaze tracking the departing car in which Alina sat. Karina, elegant and cold, approached and lit a cigarette.
— Maxim has been placed under house arrest. He faces long years in prison. It turns out he's involved in many criminal activities and machinations.
— I don't care what happens to him.
— And what will happen to you? — She said, exhaling a stream of smoke. — You still haven't figured out why Alina left five years ago?
Alexey turned to her.
— What else are you hiding?
— Am I hiding? — Karina smirked, and her voice became harsh and direct. — You've just always been blind. And passive. You knew perfectly well that your mother despised Alina for her "low origin" and didn't want you to get involved with a girl who didn't match your status. And when I appeared, — Karina nodded to herself, — she saw a more favorable, more rational match in me. I didn't know Alina personally, but I knew about your mother's plans. And as soon as the opportunity arose, your mother took advantage of the moment when Alina's stepfather came to her and demanded money. She gave him a huge sum. And then she called Alina and directly told her that she must get out of your life. Forever. That she could harm not only your reputation but also... your life. Alina left to make your life easier. She sacrificed herself for you. She never sold your love for money.
— Why didn't you tell me the truth sooner? — He protested.
— Did you even look for this truth? You easily believed what your mother imposed on you. If you were truly interested in how Alina lived, who she was, you would never have believed the lies about her. Although you knew perfectly well how much your mother hated her. And you didn't protect her. What's more, you didn't rush to marry her for many years. Of course, this reinforced your mother's opinion that it was just an affair for you. You didn't want to take responsibility, and when you lost her, instead of looking for the reasons within yourself, you blamed her for everything. It wasn't Alina who betrayed you, it was you who betrayed her. And you didn't miss the chance to humiliate her publicly on this show.
Alexey realized that he had been wrong all these years. He wasn't just blinded. He was the cause of everything that happened to Alina. He believed his mother's lie because it was convenient. Because it was easier to believe that Alina was mercenary than that his own mother was capable of such a thing. Maxim, at least, was an open enemy: he acted out of pure, albeit sick, obsession. Alexey, however, acted out of passivity, convenience, and fear of his mother. He understood that his inaction and gullibility had caused Alina pain that turned out to be far more devastating than Maxim's direct aggression. Now, standing before Karina, he felt like a disgusting hypocrite. He was a nobody who allowed the woman he loved to go through hell simply because he couldn't become a man and take responsibility. At that moment, he hated himself no less than he hated Maxim.
— If you have such a bad opinion of me, why are you helping me?
Karina took a long drag, looking at the smoke.
— At first, I genuinely thought your mother was right and we were a great match. But when you rushed after Alina from the cliff... I realized your feelings are real. How can a marriage of convenience compete with true love? You are more profitable to me as a partner than as a husband who doesn't love me and will eternally suffer for another woman. And if you don't prove to her now that you are worthy of her, you will suffer and regret it for the rest of your days.
Karina was right. Alexey had to win her back. He had to prove his love in front of the whole country.
Alina sat on the plane, which was preparing for takeoff. For the first time in a long time, she felt an absolute, unclouded relief. She had sacrificed herself for her mother, who, it turned out, had been manipulating her for years, bailing out her gambler stepfather. It was time for her mother to face her own choices and bear the consequences. Alina had tormented herself for years for Alexey, who didn't fight for her. For the sake of a sense of duty, she had allowed Maxim to control her and almost died. This path, filled with false obligations, led only to humiliation. Neither Maxim nor Alexey, nor the fear of debts, were in her head. For the first time in five years, Alina was doing everything only for herself. She was Alina. Nobody's fiancée, nobody's victim, nobody's toy. Her life was starting now, and she would write her own script. She chose herself. And no man would be her ticket or her cage anymore. She was no longer a woman who needed saving. She was a woman who needed to be earned.
The moment the plane began to accelerate, a thundering roar erupted. The plane braked sharply. Passengers exchanged bewildered glances. Through the window, they saw a crowd: cameras, journalists, security. And in the center of it all—Alexey. He burst into the cabin, his gaze full of determination. He found her seat, and fell to his knees before her.
— I am the biggest fool, Alina, — He said, his voice ringing with despair and love. — I never saw you as a person. For the sake of others, you lost and gave up on yourself and your desires more than once. You endured humiliation, submitting to the will of others. Now you have chosen yourself, and you were right to do so. And I... I choose you, and I promise to choose only you for the rest of my life.
He held out his hand to her:
— Will you be my wife?
The entire cabin erupted in shouts: — Say "yes"! Say "yes"!
On the film set, where the remnants of the ruined decor still stood, Karina hastily arranged an improvised altar. The remains of the destroyed wall were draped with flowing white silk and entwined with fresh flowers, creating an arch illuminated by soft, golden light. Karina instructed that every spotlight be set to a warm, honeyed hue, transforming the set into a shimmering, almost fairytale corner. In the center stood a modest table, covered with a snow-white cloth, symbolizing the altar, and dozens of tall, thin candles were lit around it, flickering and reflecting in Alina's and Alexey's eyes. Alina, now in a clean snow-white dress, was radiant, despite the recent pain. Her face, framed by disheveled curls, glowed with gentle, pure happiness. Alexey pulled her close.
— You are the most beautiful woman in this world, — He whispered, kissing her. — And from now on, I will prove it every day.
He held her hand, not letting go, as if afraid she would disappear again.
— I swear that from now on, my only goal is your happiness. I will never let go of your hand again, Alina. I choose you forever.
Alina smiled through her tears.
— I choose myself and you, Alexey. With you—through fire and water, and on live TV, — She replied, smiling.
Their kiss, passionate and long, was not just a formality, but the seal of their new, hard-won love. It was filmed from all angles, surpassing all the drama that had occurred before in emotional intensity. For them, in that moment, there were no cameras, only them. Although the footage of their marriage registration was already being broadcast live across the country.
— Look, Marta, — Karina said, nodding to her assistant. A look of satisfaction finally appeared on her face. — We often play games. Everyone wears a mask for their own reason. But our show... in the end, it revealed true love. And that is the highest rating. The perfect finale.