All of this unwanted drama was caused by one person. Jessica was fuming. This was precisely what she thought was going to happen. She knew it, the family knew it, and now someone was going to pay for it.

Who else would pay for it but the unruly guest herself, Christina. The one stealing the spotlight and encouraging the rumors about Arturo.

This was becoming the dramatic novella she desperately tried to avoid.

Even though Jessica’s heart pounded with the rising tension, she knew the opportunity was too good to resist. If a show was what everyone wanted, she’d give it to them.

Determined, she called over Christina, her voice calm and steady. “Prima, this is Arturo. I’m not sure if you know him, but I do know you haven’t met his fiancée, Carmen.”

As Christina approached, Jessica’s pulse quickened. She wanted to see it, the moment her cousin’s perfect composure cracked. She wanted the rumors to explode into reality, to watch Christina’s face falter, to see her break in front of everyone.

But Christina didn’t flinch. Her appearance didn’t falter.

With a gracious smile as flawless as ever, Christina extended her hand to Carmen. “Qué gusto conocerte, Carmen,” she said warmly. “Arturo, es bueno verte.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed. There was no crack, no slip in Christina’s composure. She seemed completely untouched by the presence of Arturo and his fiancée, as if the rumors had been nothing more than idle gossip.

Jessica’s plan to expose her cousin’s vulnerability had failed. Christina’s control over her emotions, her poise, remained intact. For a moment, doubt flickered in Jessica’s mind. Maybe the rumors weren’t true after all?

But no, there was something there. Something hidden beneath Christina’s polished exterior. And Jessica was determined to find it.

Christina excused herself gracefully, projecting an air of nonchalance. But beneath the surface, she was in turmoil. Arturo’s engagement had hit her like a punch to the gut, yet she maintained her composure, hiding the storm that raged inside.

The news felt like an anchor, pulling her down into a sea of sadness and disbelief. Her world spun, and the lively sounds of the reception only made the betrayal feel heavier. As the weight of it pressed on her chest, she knew she needed to escape. Pretending to need the restroom, she walked past the door, through the kitchen bustling with staff, and finally pushed open the back exit, stepping into the cool night air.

Outside, the contrast was striking. The festive lights and sounds of the reception hall were muted, replaced by the quiet hum of the night. The dim glow from a nearby streetlight cast long shadows across the parking lot, adding to the sense of isolation.

Christina inhaled deeply, the crisp air biting at her lungs, but it did little to calm the chaos inside her.

Her trembling fingers fumbled inside her clutch as she pulled out a cigarette, placing it between her lips. She lit it, the small flame flickering against the darkness, and took a deep drag, hoping the smoke would steady her nerves.

But the numbness refused to settle in. All she could think about was Arturo, his engagement, and how they had been together just days ago. The betrayal clawed at her heart.

She took another drag, staring up at the sky as the smoke curled around her face, momentarily obscuring her vision. The stars, distant and cold, seemed indifferent to her pain.

Alone in the quiet, Christina allowed herself to feel the weight of the sadness she had kept hidden. The world outside seemed too bright, too festive for the darkness that gripped her.

The sound of footsteps broke her solitude. Christina turned, startled to see a figure stepping out from the side of the building—David.

His well-dressed appearance was a stark contrast to the rough surroundings, but he looked just as unsettled as she felt. His brown hair, slightly tousled, framed his face, and his normally charming expression was softened by something more thoughtful.

“Needed to step away from the chaos for a bit,” David said, noticing her standing there. He glanced at the glowing cigarette between her fingers.

“Mind if I join ya”

Christina gave him a small nod, unsure of what to say. She had assumed no one would follow her out here, least of all David. He leaned against the wall beside her, his presence surprisingly calming.

“¿Estás bien?” he asked after a moment, his voice gentle but curious. The concern in his eyes was genuine, though a hint of that mischievous sparkle lingered beneath.

Christina hesitated, the smoke from her cigarette lingering in the cool night air. What could she say? Her heart was in pieces, but she didn’t know what, if anything, David had heard. She wasn’t ready to expose her pain to him, or to anyone.

“Solo necesitaba un poco de aire,” she finally replied, exhaling a cloud of smoke. A lie. She didn’t just need air she needed to escape.

David nodded, accepting her answer even if he didn’t fully believe it. There was something about Christina that fascinated him, something deeper than the surface-level glamor that everyone seemed drawn to. He had heard Jessica’s warnings about her cousin, but now, standing here, he couldn’t help but feel pulled in.

“The drinks must be strong in there,” he joked lightly, trying to ease the tension. “Or maybe it’s just the chaos of a wedding.”

Christina smiled faintly, though her mind was still far away, wrapped in thoughts of Arturo and the betrayal that burned beneath her skin. She took another drag from her cigarette, the warmth of the smoke contrasting with the cold feeling of her broken heart.. “Supongo que necesitaba un descanso del ruido. A veces es… demasiado.”

David chuckled, scratching his head. “So, uh… ‘ruido’ means noise, right? I’m still working on it,” he admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice.

Christina couldn’t help but enjoy his earnest attempts. “Sí! Pero te recomiendo practicar un poco más.”

David nodded again, his eyes lingering on her, trying to read the sadness behind her words. He had always been good at sensing when something was off, and with Christina, it was like a quiet storm waiting to be acknowledged. Despite Jessica’s warnings, he found himself wanting to know more about her, wanting to understand the shadows she kept hidden.

“There’s…errr…a banda playing later,” he said, breaking the silence. “Maybe we could grab a drink, maybe a few tequila shots  and check them out?”

At first, Christina considered declining. She wasn’t in the mood for company, and the weight of the rumors, some true, some exaggerated, felt like too much to bear. But what choice did she have? She couldn’t let her family see how deeply Arturo’s engagement had wounded her, and playing the part of someone unaffected seemed like her only option.

With a deep breath, she nodded. “Está bien. Vamos.”