Chapter 3 Confrontation

Before Carolina could react, he had already pulled her inside the office. He turned her toward the door, leaving her facing it. She caught sight of Maximo's scarred hand, yet her attention slipped away from it the moment she felt him right behind her, his breath brushing against her hair.

Confusion took hold of her thoughts, but the fear that rose in her chest didn't stay for long. Something else followed it, something she couldn't quite name.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice low near her ear.

His hand settled on her waist as he pulled her closer. His leg moved between hers, and his body pressed firmly against her back.

"You... you think of me as a prostitute! Are you even a man?" she exclaimed, struggling to steady her voice as she spoke. His nearness made her head spin.

What she didn't realize was that he wasn't unaffected either.

Maximo couldn't remember the last time being close to a woman had stirred him this way. They hadn't kissed, and she hadn't touched him, yet the memory of having her beside him lingered. After leaving her room that night, he had returned to his own, unable to stop replaying every moment. He wanted more, yet he held himself back. He wouldn't risk going to her again and being seen.

Now, with her trapped between him and the wall, it took everything he had not to turn her around and claim her lips. His restraint was thinning. Her words about him not being a man only made it worse.

"So you married for money, didn't you? People who marry share a bed. And if that's done for money, then what else would that make you?"

"Now tell me," he added, his voice tightening, "how do you dare say I'm not a man?"

His grip on her waist tightened, and he pushed forward slightly.

A soft sound slipped from her, and it caught him off guard.

"I'm not... a prostitute!" she shouted, anger rising in her voice, though her reaction betrayed something else as well.

"You really think I'm not a man?" he asked. He shifted again, making his presence unmistakable against her. "Do you want me to prove it?"

She had no idea what came over her in that moment, yet the words still left her lips.

"Yes! Then show me."

For a brief moment, Maximo didn't react. Then a faint, knowing smile formed on his lips. The light fabric of her summer dress didn't offer much resistance as his hand moved slowly along her thigh, and a soft breath escaped her in response.

After loosening his own clothing, he drew her forward, though the difference in their height made him pause.

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"I said close them," he replied, his tone firm. She gave a small nod and did as he asked. Darkness surrounded her, and she felt him shift her position. His breath brushed against her face, close enough to make her pulse quicken. The box slipped from her hands, but when she tried to reach for him, he stopped her. "No."

"At least let me hold onto you. You're still wearing a shirt, right?" she insisted, her voice uneven.

After a short pause, he gave in. "Fine." She lifted her hands and rested them on his arms, steadying herself. His gaze lingered on her lips before he leaned in and pressed his mouth against hers.

The moment stretched as she responded, parting her lips as he deepened the kiss. Her thoughts blurred, and she followed his lead without question. He guided her across the room until she felt herself lifted, then placed onto the surface behind her.

The feeling overwhelmed her, and without thinking, her hand moved upward, reaching for his hair.

The sudden touch made him pull back slightly, though only for a second. When he noticed she didn't react to the spot his hand brushed against near her temple, he allowed her to keep that contact and nowhere else.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his voice low as his lips brushed against her.

"It doesn't," she replied, though the answer wasn't true.

The two men standing outside hesitated when they heard something hit the floor. For a moment, they considered stepping in.

Then Carolina's voice carried through the door, and they froze.

"I think-"

"Let's just go," the shorter one cut in. "They've already worked things out." Without another word, they turned and left.

Not far from them, Dolores lingered nearby. A small smile appeared on her face when she heard Carolina. Relief settled in her chest. She had hoped things would turn out well for both of them, and from what she had seen, Carolina seemed like a decent person. With that thought, she quietly walked away, feeling at ease.

Inside, their breathing hadn't steadied yet. Maximo slipped a hand behind her head and drew her closer, guiding her to rest against him. Her cheek pressed to his chest, and even through the fabric of his shirt, she could feel the warmth of his body. His heartbeat reached her ears, steady and strong.

"I can't believe this happened again," she pondered, her lips pressed together as her eyes stayed shut.

Time had passed since Maximo had been this close to a woman. He couldn't tell if that was the reason or if Carolina truly affected him in a different way. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel lacking. She had responded to him. She hadn't pulled away.

"She's good at pretending." A bitter thought slipped into his mind.

"Keep your eyes closed," he said, his tone steady. "I'll walk you to the door." Her brows pulled together slightly at his words.

"I don't want to keep them closed. I want to see you."

"No," he answered, his tone sharp and final.

"But... we've already crossed that line," she said, her voice tight as she kept her eyes shut. "We're married."

"No. The only reason you're even willing to touch me is because you haven't seen my face."

"That's not true!"

"Then what is it? Are you that good at pretending that even a face like mine doesn't matter to you?" he asked, his voice edged with bitterness. The meaning behind his words hit her all at once.

Without opening her eyes, she pushed him away and slid off the table. Her footing faltered for a second as she tried to steady herself.

"You're unbelievable!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking as she held back tears. "I gave you my first time, and that's what you think of me?"

"That's something surgery could fix," he replied flatly.

Anger surged through her, and she took a few steps forward before finally opening her eyes to see where she was going. The jewelry box lay on the floor, thrown open from the fall, with a diamond necklace glinting inside. Without hesitation, she kicked it aside, pulled the door open, and stormed out.

Maximo watched her leave and let out a quiet breath as he shook his head.

"If she thinks she can fool me, she's wrong," he pondered, irritation settling in.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Cesar stood seething.

"What's wrong, my son?" Yolanda asked, leaning against the doorway as she watched him.

"The one who married Maximo... it wasn't Eloisa," he remarked, his voice tight as he rose to his feet.

His mother stepped into the study, her expression sharpening as she took in his mood.

"Show me that girl," she insisted, her voice firm.

Cesar pulled up a photo of the Navarro family on his computer and opened it without delay. Yolanda leaned closer, then lifted her hand and pointed at the dark-haired girl with honey-brown eyes.

"Is this the one?" she asked.

He gave a short nod in response.

"She's quite beautiful."

Cesar let out a quiet scoff and gestured toward the blonde beside her. "She still doesn't compare to her sister, Eloisa."

Yolanda studied both of them in silence for a moment.

"I don't see it that way," she replied at last. "Carolina stands out more to me. There's something softer about her. This Eloisa... she looks full of herself. Just look at that expression."

Eloisa's beauty was something people often talked about, but her attitude had always been difficult. She had been spoiled for too long, and it showed. Even so, Cesar knew she drew attention wherever she went. Many men pursued her, and that alone raised her worth in his eyes. He wanted someone exceptional for his son. He also wanted the future mother of the Castillo heirs to be someone admired.

"But, Mother..."

"Calm yourself, César. Think about it differently. If this girl isn't surrounded by suitors, then she's likely more grounded. That's exactly the kind of person our boy needs. And don't forget, this Eloisa already turned him down without even meeting him."

He paused, then slowly nodded.

"Alright... fine," he responded. "I won't bring it up with the Navarros. At least not for now."

Yolanda smiled faintly, her eyes returning to Carolina's image. Something about the girl left her certain. She felt that Carolina would be the right match for Maximo.

Later that day, back at the estate, Carolina stayed locked inside her room and refused to join them for lunch. When dinner came, she turned that down as well. Not long after, the door to her room swung open.

Startled, she flinched and tightened her hold on the pillow resting on her lap, the book she had been reading slipping slightly.

"What now?" she asked, irritation rising in her voice. "And what is this supposed to be?"

She looked toward the doorway. No one stood there.