Chapter 4: The Perfect Woman
The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Alejandro's penthouse, casting a golden glow over the meticulously designed interior. Despite the warmth of the light, Lía felt a chill as she sat at the breakfast table, picking at her plate of untouched toast. Across from her, Alejandro scrolled through his phone, his face unreadable but his silence louder than words.
The events of the previous evening lingered in her mind like a storm cloud. Sofía's poised entrance, her effortless charm, and the way Alejandro's gaze had softened whenever he looked at her—it all left a bitter taste in Lía's mouth.
"Are you working late again tonight?" Lía ventured, her voice hesitant as she tried to bridge the ever-widening gap between them.
Alejandro didn't look up. "Probably," he said curtly.
The single word hit her harder than it should have. She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat, and returned her attention to her plate.
The day continued in much the same way. Alejandro disappeared into his study, leaving Lía alone with her thoughts. By midday, her father called, his voice brisk and devoid of pleasantries.
"You've seen Sofía now," Julio began without preamble. "She's everything you're not. Beautiful, accomplished, confident. The kind of woman Alejandro deserves."
Lía gripped the phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"To remind you that you have a job to do," Julio replied coldly. "This marriage is about more than your feelings, Lía. If you can't make Alejandro fall for you, there are other options—better options."
His words cut deep, but she refused to let him hear the crack in her resolve. "I'll do my best," she said, forcing the words out.
"See that you do," Julio said before hanging up.
The sting of her father's cruelty still lingered when Lía entered the penthouse living room later that afternoon. She found Alejandro sitting on the couch, his laptop open in front of him. He barely acknowledged her presence as she approached.
"I was thinking we could have dinner together tonight," she suggested, her voice tentative.
Alejandro finally looked up, his brow furrowing. "I have plans," he said simply.
Lía's heart sank. "Plans with Sofía?" she asked before she could stop herself.
His expression darkened. "It's a business meeting," he said sharply. "Don't make this into something it's not."
Lía bit her lip, nodding. "Of course," she murmured, retreating before the conversation could devolve further.
As the evening approached, Lía found herself wandering the penthouse aimlessly. The empty halls felt colder than ever, and the weight of her loneliness pressed down on her chest. She eventually ended up in Alejandro's office, a space she rarely entered.
The polished desk was immaculate, save for a single folder lying open. Curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned in to take a closer look.
Inside were detailed plans for an upcoming business trip—one that included Sofía's name prominently. Lía's breath hitched as she scanned the itinerary. It was a week-long trip to an exclusive resort, far from the city.
Her hands trembled as she closed the folder. The implications were clear: while she was left to navigate the silence of their hollow marriage, Alejandro and Sofía would be spending days together in close proximity.
Dinner that night was a quiet affair. Alejandro had returned briefly to change before leaving again. Lía sat across from him at the table, her appetite nonexistent.
"Will you be gone long?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A week," he replied without looking up from his phone.
"Is Sofía going with you?" she pressed, her heart pounding in her chest.
Alejandro's jaw tightened. "She's part of the team," he said evenly.
The words stung more than they should have. Lía nodded, forcing a tight smile. "I see. Well, safe travels."
He looked at her then, his gaze briefly softening before hardening again. "Don't wait up," he said as he stood, leaving the room without another word.
Later that night, Lía lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts swirled with a mix of anger, sadness, and a growing sense of determination.
Sofía was perfect. She couldn't compete with that. But maybe she didn't need to. If Alejandro couldn't see her worth, then she would find it on her own.
She resolved to stop living in the shadow of Sofía and her father's expectations. For too long, she had allowed herself to be pushed around, treated as if her feelings didn't matter.
As she closed her eyes, a single thought echoed in her mind: This isn't the end. It's just the beginning.
In a quiet corner of the penthouse, Alejandro sat with his phone in hand, staring at a message from Sofía.
Sofía: Looking forward to the trip. I'm glad we'll finally have time to catch up.
His fingers hovered over the screen as he debated his response. For the first time, his emotions betrayed him, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.
In the stillness of the night, the walls Alejandro had built around himself began to crack.