Novelas de Teju writes

Camila's POV"Your mother just collapsed."For a second, the words don't make sense, and then everything happens at once as panic crashes into me so hard I can barely breathe."What?" The word tears out of me as I stumble forward. "What happened?"The nurse is already running back down the hallway, and I don't wait for an answer because my feet are moving before my brain can catch up. My heart pounds so hard it hurts as I race after her, silently begging for this not to be happening, and although I never look back, I know Alejandro is right behind me because his footsteps never leave my side.The moment we reach my mother's room, I freeze.Doctors surround her bed.Nurses rush around the room.Monitors scream.Orders are shouted.The entire scene is medical chaos, the kind I usually understand better than most people, but today I'm not a nurse standing on the outside looking in.Today I'm just a daughter watching her mother fight to breathe."Camila!"I barely hear Lena's voice before

Alejandro's POV"What exactly is so funny?"The moment the words leave my mouth, the entire table goes silent.Good, because judging by the expression on Camila's face, whatever happened before I arrived wasn't funny at all.Several women suddenly become very interested in their drinks,others avoid eye contact completely.Only Isabella keeps her composure,mostly."Alejandro." She rises smoothly from her chair. "We were just having lunch."My gaze moves around the table before settling on Camila.She's smiling,a fake smile.The same fake smile she's been using whenever she's upset and doesn't want anyone to know.The sight immediately irritates me."Really?"The single word is enough to make the room even quieter.Camila glances at me, something flickers across her face,relief.The realization catches me off guard.Relief?Why would she….No,later.I'll think about that later. Right now, I have bigger problems."Alejandro, it's not what it looks like." Isabella gestures toward the tabl

Camila's POVWhen Isabella's invitation arrives the next morning, I spend three full minutes staring at it because nothing about the woman screams friendship.Still, the message sounds polite enough.*Charity planning luncheon. Small gathering. Hope you can join us.*Against my better judgment, I agree.Maybe she's trying to make peace. Maybe yesterday was awkward for both of us, maybe I'm being paranoid.By noon, I realize how stupid that thought was.The restaurant is located on the top floor of one of the most expensive hotels in Los Angeles, and the second I step inside, every woman at the table turns to look at me carefully.Like they're inspecting a product before deciding whether to return it.Isabella rises smoothly from her chair and kisses the air beside my cheek."Camila, you made it."The smile on her face is perfect, too perfect.Already, I don't trust it."Thanks for inviting me.""Of course." Isabella lightly touches my arm before guiding me toward an empty seat. "Since

Alejandro's POVThe second I see her standing near the ballroom entrance, my stomach tightens because Isabella Hart is the last person I expected to see tonight.For a brief moment, she simply stares at me. Then her gaze shifts toward Camila, and although the shock disappears quickly, it doesn't disappear fast enough.Camila notices it too."Oh, I know that look," Camila murmurs beside me, and when I glance at her, I find amusement dancing in her eyes. "That's the look of a woman who definitely wasn't expecting to find you married."I look away.Bad move.Camila immediately catches it. "Oh my God." Her eyes widen. "You know her.""Camila.""No, no, wait." She points discreetly toward Isabella. "How do you know her?"Before I can answer, Isabella starts walking toward us.People notice.Of course they notice.Several reporters turn their heads. A few board members stop talking.Even Victor looks interested.The closer Isabella gets, the quieter the area becomes."Alejandro." A graceful

Camila's POVI knew I was in trouble the moment I saw the dress."No."The woman standing in front of me doesn't even blink. "Mr. Vega selected this one personally."I stare at the garment hanging from the closet door as if it has personally offended me.It's beautiful, that's the problem.The dark emerald fabric looks elegant, expensive, and completely inappropriate for someone who usually spends her days wearing scrubs and comfortable shoes."I'm not wearing that."The stylist smiles patiently, which makes the situation worse. "You are."I sigh.Twenty minutes later, I'm standing in front of a mirror wondering when exactly my life stopped making sense.Two weeks ago, I was arguing with hospital administrators about patient staffing. Now I'm preparing to attend a billionaire charity gala as Mrs. Vega.Nothing about that feels normal.The bedroom door opens behind me, and when I turn around, I immediately regret it.Alejandro freezes for a second.His gaze travels over the dress befor

Alejandro's POV"Family dinner tonight."The moment my grandfather says the words, I lean back in my chair and stare at the ceiling because Santiago Vega has spent eighty-three years perfecting the art of turning simple announcements into threats."Tonight?" I ask, already knowing the answer."That's usually what tonight means," he replies dryly, and the amusement in his voice immediately puts me on edge because it means he's enjoying himself."You gave me less than eight hours' notice.""Then I suggest you stop wasting them."The line disconnects before I can respond.For several seconds, I continue staring at my phone because I know exactly what this is.A test, another one.The estate review hasn't even officially started yet, and somehow my grandfather is already finding new ways to make my life difficult.I leave the office earlier than planned and return to the Malibu estate, fully expecting to find Camila somewhere she shouldn't be. Sure enough, I discover her in the kitchen ar