ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
We'd arrived back from the honeymoon just past midnight.
Both of us were exhausted and silent. We'd gone straight to our separate rooms without a word.
When I woke up this morning, the sun was already high in the sky. I slept later than usual. My body felt heavy, like it was still processing everything that had happened on that island.
I got up slowly and walked down the hallway. Alex's door was closed. Locked, probably.
I stood there for a second, staring at it. Wondering if he was still inside.
But something told me he wasn't.
I went downstairs and found one of the maids in the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mrs. Reyes," she said with a warm smile. "Can I get you anything?"
"Good morning," I said. "Is Alex still home?"
Her smile faltered slightly. "Oh no, ma'am. Mr. Reyes left early this morning. Around six, I believe."
My chest tightened. "Oh. Okay. Thank you."
She nodded and went back to her work.
I stood there in the kitchen for a moment, feeling something heavy settle in my stomach.
Of course, he left early.
Of course, he didn't say goodbye.
Back to work. Back to normal. Back to being the cold, distant husband I'd married.
The robotic version of Alex Reyes.
I walked through the house and caught the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. It was subtle but unmistakable. Clean. Sharp. Expensive.
It made my chest twist in a way I didn't want to acknowledge.
I shook my head and forced myself to focus on something else.
I'd been away from work for nearly a week. My agency had been understanding, but I knew I needed to get back into shape. Back into routine.
But not today.
Today I just wanted to rest. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after.
I went upstairs to the large sitting room where I usually practiced. Set up my phone on a stand. Positioned the big mirror against the wall. Put on some music.
I started with warm-ups. Simple stretches. Then I moved into walking routines. Posture. Angles. Expression.
But my mind kept drifting.
Back to the island, the way Alex had looked at me when he found me.
The way he'd pulled me into a tight hug as I would disappear.
I tried to focus on my reflection in the mirror. On perfecting my walk. On keeping my expression neutral and strong.
But all I could see was his face. His cold eyes. His silence.
I stopped mid-step and let out a frustrated breath.
This was pointless.
I was about to turn off the music when I heard footsteps downstairs. Light. Familiar.
Then I heard voices.
One of the maids. And someone else.
A woman's voice. Calm. Elegant.
Victoria.
I quickly turned off the music and smoothed down my clothes. Checked my reflection briefly. Then headed downstairs.
Victoria stood in the living room, speaking quietly to one of the maids. She looked as radiant as ever. Perfectly dressed. Hair immaculate. That calm, regal presence she always carried.
When she saw me, her face lit up.
"Elena!"
I smiled immediately, genuine warmth flooding through me. "Mum! I've missed you."
I walked quickly toward her and she met me halfway. We hugged tightly.
"Oh, my dear," she said softly, pulling back to look at me. "You look rested. The island treated you well."
I nodded, smiling. "It was beautiful. Really beautiful."
One of the maids appeared with a tray. "Can I get you anything, Mrs. Reyes?"
"Yes, please," I said. "Bring something for my mother-in-law. Tea? Coffee?"
Victoria smiled. "Tea would be lovely. Thank you."
The maid nodded and disappeared.
Victoria and I sat down on the sofa together. She turned slightly toward me, her eyes warm and searching.
"Tell me everything," she said. "How was the honeymoon?"
I felt my smile widen despite myself. "It was amazing. The villa was stunning. Right on the beach. And the people there were so kind. They had this festival one night with music, dancing, and fireworks. It was magical."
Victoria's eyes sparkled. "That sounds wonderful."
"It really was," I said. "The whole island felt like a dream."
She reached over and squeezed my hand gently. "You're glowing when you talk about it. I haven't seen you this animated in a long time."
I felt my cheeks warm slightly. "It was just nice to get away. To see something new."
Victoria studied me for a moment. Then her expression shifted. Became more serious.
"Alex told me what happened," she said quietly. "About you going into the jungle alone."
My smile faded immediately. I looked down at my hands.
"Oh."
"He said you got lost. That they had to search for you."
I nodded slowly, feeling embarrassment creep up my neck. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. I just needed to clear my head and I walked too far without realizing it."
Victoria's hand tightened around mine. "Why did you need to clear your head, dear?"
I hesitated. Didn't know how much to say.
But Victoria's eyes were so gentle. So understanding.
"I overheard Alex on the phone," I said finally. "He was talking to someone. His voice was harsh. Angry. And I thought he was talking about me, though I didn't know if he was actually referring to me or not."
Victoria's expression didn't change. Just waited for me to continue.
"I felt unwanted," I admitted quietly. "Foolish. Like I was just this burden he had to deal with. So I left to get some air and I just kept walking."
I didn't tell her what Alex had actually said. Didn't repeat his words. It felt too painful to say out loud.
Victoria was quiet for a long moment. Then she squeezed my hand again and gave me a sad but knowing smile.
"My dear," she said softly. "I think you're falling in love with my son."
My eyes widened. My breath caught in my throat.
I opened my mouth to respond but no words came out.
Victoria watched me carefully. Waited.
I wanted to deny it. Wanted to laugh it off, and wanted to say something that would make it not true.
But I couldn't.
Because she was right.
I was falling in love with Alex.
Maybe I already had.
Victoria reached up and gently lifted my chin so I had to look at her.
"Alex wasn't always like this," she said quietly. "Cold. Distant. Closed off."
I swallowed hard, listening.
"He used to be warm. Open. He loved deeply. Freely." Her voice grew softer. "But he was hurt. Badly. In ways he never fully shared with anyone. And when that happened, he shut parts of himself off just to survive."
I knew she was talking about Mia. But she never said the name.
"He built walls," Victoria continued. "High ones. To protect himself. And now he doesn't know how to let anyone in anymore. Even when he wants to."
Tears stung my eyes. "What if he never lets me in? What if I'm just hitting those walls forever?"
Victoria smiled sadly. "I've lived with that boy long enough to recognize when something disturbs him. He pretends you don't affect him. But you do."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I see it in the smallest things," she said. "He comes home earlier than he used to. He checks the security cameras more often when you're alone in the house. He asks the staff if you've eaten. He watches you when you're not looking."
My heart squeezed painfully. "He does?"
"He does," Victoria confirmed. "He doesn't even realize it himself. But I see it."
I didn't know what to say. Didn't know how to process that.
Victoria's expression grew more serious. "If you choose him, Elena, it will not be easy. My son loves like a storm. Not like a breeze. Storms can break things. Or they can build them stronger. But you look like the kind of woman who doesn't run from storms."
The words settled over me like a weight.
"Please don't leave him," Victoria said quietly. "He needs someone who doesn't fear his shadows."
I couldn't promise anything. Couldn't find the words.
So I just sat there, holding her hand, feeling the truth of everything she'd said sink deep into my chest.
Victoria reached up and unclasped something from around her neck. A thin silver necklace with a small blue stone.
She held it out to me.
"This belonged to Alex's grandmother," she said. "She wore it the day she first met the man she would marry. The man she loved her entire life."
I stared at it. "I can't take this."
"Yes, you can." Victoria pressed it into my palm and closed my fingers around it. "Keep it. Let it remind you that love is worth fighting for."
Tears blurred my vision. "Thank you."
Victoria pulled me into another hug. This one was longer. Tighter.
When she finally pulled back, she stood gracefully.
"I should go. Let you rest."
I stood too and walked her to the door.
We hugged one more time at the entrance.
"Take care of yourself, my dear," Victoria said softly.
"I will. Thank you for everything."
She smiled and walked to her car.
I watched her drive away, then closed the door and leaned against it.
Something felt lighter in my chest. Like a weight I'd been carrying had eased just a little.
Victoria's words replayed in my mind.
He watches you when you're not looking.
He comes home earlier.
He asks if you've eaten.
Could it be true?
Could Alex actually care about me in ways he didn't show?
I walked back into the living room, feeling restless. I didn't want to practice modeling anymore. Didn't feel like doing anything productive.
I just wanted to sit. To think. To process everything.
I pulled out my phone and sank onto the couch.
Opened social media without really thinking about it. Just scrolling to distract myself.
But the first thing I saw made me freeze.
My fingers went numb.
The phone almost slipped from my hand.
Tears clouded my sight as I muttered under my breath, "What is this?"