bChapter /bb137 /b

Of course, Alejandro didn’t actually leave.

By the time Antonio and Zabelle gathered themselves and made their way to the dining room, Alejandro was already there–legs stretched, phone in hand–as he waited for the couple to finish cooking.

“Well, well, look who finally decided to finish cooking,” he remarked, setting his phone down. His grin was wicked. “I was starting to think you two were too… busy to finish.”

He saw Zabelle’s cheeks burn red again as she nced helplessly at Antonio, but he, as usual, maintained a stoic expression. Alejandro almostughed. It was unfair, really. She suffered while Antonio acted unfazed.

“What are you still doing here?” Antonio asked, his voice sharp.

Alejandro gestured at the table. “Breakfast, obviously.”

“…uh…didn’t know you’d be eating with us,” Zabelle finally spoke, her eyes darting anywhere but him.

“Well, now you know,” Alejandro said smoothly, gesturing for her to sit.

Antonio sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alejandro, do you ever respect boundaries?”

“Rarely,” Alejandro answered, smirking.

Antonio guided Zabelle to a chair, whispering something low to calm her. Alejandro didn’t care to hear; her flushed cheeks were entertainment enough.

The three of them ate together, Alejandro asionally tossing in jabs that grated Antonio’s nerves and flustered Zabelle further.

The dynamic amused him endlessly. Antonio yed protector, Zabelle yed flustered victim, and he? He yed the devil, poking both sides of the fire.

When the meal ended, Zabelle began gathering dishes, but Antonio stopped her muttering something about her working too hard. .Alejandro caught the tender gesture and nearly rolled his eyes. His brother was slipping.

“Thank you for the breakfast,” Alejandro said casually to Zabelle, then turned his gaze to Antonio. “We need to talk. Let’s head to your study.”

Antonio’s jaw tightened, as if he didn’t want to leave his wife, but he nodded. The brothers then left the dining room, Alejandro throwing onest grin at Zabelle, who shifted ufortably under his gaze.

Inside the study, Antonio shut the door and turned to face Alejandro. “What’s so urgent?” he asked, arms crossed.

Alejandro leaned casually against the desk, all yful ease, but his eyes were sharp.

“Let’s start with what happened to Vanessa.”

Antonio’s eyes narrowed. “What about Vanessa?b” /b

Alejandro smirked. “Don’t act innocent. I saw the news this morning. Vanessa’s scandal is everywhere. Pictures bof /bher leaving the club with a waiter. I’m guessing it wasn’t ba /bcoincidence. Especially since it happened at one of our family’s clubs.”

Antonio remained unreadable. “If you already know the answer, why ask?b” /b

Alejandro chuckled. “Because I want to hear you admit it. You’re getting bolderb, /bAntonio. Using Vanessa’s own schemes against herb? /bbThat’s /bcold–even for you.”

Antonio didn’t deny it. He instead moved, walking to the desk to pour himself ba /bss of water.

He simply sipped water and said, “She dug her own graveb. /bI just handed her the shovel. She tried to drug me bagain/bb./b”

b1/4 /b

bMon/bb, /bb18 Aug /b

Alejandro raised a brow. “And the waiter?”

“A pawn,” Antonio responded. “He was more than willing to y his part once I gave him the right incentive.”

Alejandro let out a whistle. “Remind me never to get on your bad side, but then again, I’m already there,” he added after a beat.

“You’re really relentless when ites to protecting Zabelle, aren’t you?”

At her name, Antonio’s expression shifted, softening in a way that caught Alejandro’s attention, and warning bells went off in his head.

+15

“She doesn’t deserve to be dragged into Vanessa’s games. I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not Vanessa. Not her father and not anyone else.” Antonio stated.

“You’re pushing it with her,” Antonio snapped suddenly. “Embarrassing her wasn’t necessary.”

Alejandro grinned, unbothered by Antonio defending his wife.

Rx, Antonio. She’ll get used to it. Though, for what it’s worth, I think she’s good for you. You’re different around her.i” /iHe then remarked.

And he wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Antonio red but didn’t argue. That was telling enough.

“I still can’t believe I caught you two making out,” Alejandro teased.

“She’s my wife. “Get over it,” Antonio shot back.“What’s your point, Alejandro?”

“My point,” Alejandro said, leaning closer, “…is that you’re ying a dangerous game. Vanessa isn’t the type to take a hit like this lying down, and if she gets Gabriel involved, he’s going toe after you, and when she does, he’ll aim for your weakest point.”

“And you think my weak point is Zabelle,” Antonio said tly.

“Isn’t she? You’ve never cared about anyone the way you care about her. Even if she isn’t, Zabelle is always going to be their target.”

“Let him try,” he said. “He’s already lost his footing. He won’t get another chance to touch Zabelle.”

Alejandro studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Just remember, if you need backup, I’m here. For Zabelle’s sake, if nothing else.”

After all, she was a part of the Garcia family and, more immediately, Antonio’s wife.

“You know,i” /ihe began casually, as if what he was about to say was nothing.

“It’s almost funny. You, the great Antonio, have built your entire life on control, power, and untouchable confidence. Yet here

backward for someone like Zabelle.”

you are,

bending over

He didn’t mean Zabelle wasn’t worth it; she wasb, /bbut seeing as Antonio had married Zabelle in order to ruin her life, it was worth pointing out how things

had changed.

b“/bIt’s obvious she’s your weak point. But the question is why. What is it about her that’s got you acting so out of characterb, /bespecially as you hate her?“.

His brother didn’t respond; rather, he clenched his jaw and initially Alejandro didn’t think too much about it until…

Realization struck Alejandro like a spark. His eyes narrowedb, /bstudying Antonio.

Nob, /bbit /bcouldn’t be. There was just no… But then againb, /bthat had to be the only reasonable exnation for it.

“Wait…” His voice dropped. “You’re not just protecting her out of bduty /bor to protect your reputation, are byou/b? This is…different.”

Antonio shot him ba /bwarning look, but Alejandro ignored it. b“/bOh my God. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” He finally aired bhis /bthoughts.

b2/4 /b

21 bMon/b, 18 bAug /b

The silence was deafening as Antonio didn’t deny it.

Alejandro’s eyes widened as he stumbled back a step, trying to gather hisposure. “You’re serious. Antonioi, /iyou’re actually in love with heri?/i”

His brother’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

Alejandro let out a low whistle, dragging a hand through his hair.

“I can’t believe this. You, Antonio, the man who swore he’d never let emotions get in the way of business. How is this even possible?”

“It wasn’t nned,” Antonio said curtly.

Duh! Antonio hated love just as much as he did and so, he wouldn’t have nned to fall in love with Zabelle.

Alejandro stared at him, then slowly grinned. “You’re really gone. Head over heels. This is priceless.”

Heughed, shaking his head. “I have to admit, I didn’t see thising. The mighty Antonio, brought to his knees by love.”

“Shut up, Alejandro,” Antonio snapped.

Alejandro burst intoughter. “Rx. I’m enjoying the moment. This is a once–in–a–lifetime event.“.

+15

But then his amusement dimmed. He grew serious. “But really, how are you nning to handle this? Loving heres with risks especially given what

we know about her.”

Antonio hesitated, then said quietly, “She’s not Gabriel and Lily’s biological daughter.”

Alejandro froze, eyes widening as that was another thing he didn’t seeing. “What? How is that possible? She’s lived with them her whole life. Are you

sure?”

Antonio nodded. “I confirmed it. Gabriel knew. They aren’t her biological parents.”

Alejandro studied him, absorbing the revtion. “Does she know?”

“No,” Antonio said firmly. i“/iiAnd /ishe doesn’t need to. Not yet.

It’s

t safe for her to know the truth, especially with everything that’s happening.”

Alejandro crossed his arms, thoughtful. “So what’s your n?”

“I’ll deal with it,” iAntonio /ireplied. “Right now, my priority is keeping her safe. She’s already been through enough.”

Alejandro frowned. “You’d better be ready to tell her when the truthes out. Because if she finds out you hid it…”

“I know,” Antonio cut in.

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the conversation hanging heavily between them. For once, Alejandro didn’t have a teasing remark or a

sly grin.

“You really do care about her,” he remarked.

“More than anything,” Antonio admitted.

Alejandro nodded, rare sincerity flickering in his eyes. “Then let’s make sure she stays safe.”

Thest thing he needed was a brother with a proken heart.

He started to make his way towards the door, then paused with a grin.

b“/bbOh/b, and one more thing. You broke the bpact /bwe made not to fall in love. I’ll tell you what you bhave /bbto /bbdo /bin breturn/b,” Alejandro said band /bbwhen /bbAntonio /bdidn’t reply, he left with a soft chuckle with Antonio muttering curses behind him,

b3/4 /b

13:21

1 bMon/b, b18 /bbAug /b

bAs /bS

bsoon as /bhe

was in his

car, the

bright look he

had on

his

face changed and

a dark

look came to rece it.

Truly, how the fuck

had fallen in love?!