Chapter 20

Mira’s POV

My heart stopped immediately after hearing the words that came out of the officer’s mouth.

What did he mean Rina was dead?

“I left her alive,” Alejandro said casually. Too casually.

“Well, now she’s dead,” one of the officers replied flatly.

Alejandro stayed still, not showing an ounce of panic. Not a single crack in that composed mask he wore so well.

What if he killed her?

What the hell, Mira? Why would you even think that?

“Okay, officers,” Alejandro continued, his tone controlled. “How exactly am I involved in this? I didn’t even know Rina like that.”

“You were the last person seen with her,” the taller officer said. “We have witnesses placing you together.”

He let out a slow breath. “That doesn’t make me a murderer.”

The shorter officer stepped forward and pulled out handcuffs. “Mr. Montenegro, you’re under arrest on suspicion of homicide.”

The napkins slipped from my hands and fell to the floor. My blood ran cold, spreading through me so fast I felt lightheaded. Alejandro turned to look at me, and there was a strange calmness in his eyes that I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t guilt. It was something else.

“Wait,” I rushed out, stepping forward. “That can’t be right, officers. He was with me the entire night. I’m certain he left that woman alive. Something else must have happened.”

They paid no attention to me as they secured the cuffs around Alejandro’s stretched wrists.

“I didn’t do anything, Mira,” he kept repeating while they led him toward the door. “Call my dad. Let him know.”

The moment they disappeared, I snapped out of my shock. I rushed to the bedroom, threw on proper clothes with trembling hands, and grabbed my phone. It rang twice before Mr. Montenegro answered.

“Yes, Miss Martinez?”

My throat suddenly felt heavy, like something was lodged in it. For a second, I couldn’t speak.

“Hello?” he pressed.

“It’s Alejandro, sir.”

“What about him? Aren’t you two on your way already?”

“No, sir. He has been arrested.”

Silence stretched across the line. Long and cold.

“Alright. I’ll send a lawyer,” he said at last.

And just like that, he ended the call. He didn’t ask why. Didn’t ask what happened. Didn’t ask if his son was okay. There wasn’t even the slightest tremor in his voice.

What kind of father reacts like that?

He spoke about sending a lawyer as if this was routine. As if his son being accused of murder was just another inconvenience to handle.

This family wasn’t normal. Not even close.

I quickly grabbed my bag and hurried out. As I got into Alejandro’s car, another car pulled up in front of me. Ace stepped out.

I rolled my eyes as he walked toward me. I clearly did not have time for this.

“You sent my flowers back,” he said immediately. “Why?”

I frowned. “What flowers?”

“I’d understand if you told me you didn’t like me, but I know you know how I feel about you, Mira. So please, let’s stop pretending.”

I pinched my forehead, trying to stay calm. “Ace, I don’t know what you’re talking about and I really don’t have time. Alejandro is at the station right now for something he probably didn’t do.”

His expression shifted instantly. “Get in. I’ll drive.”

I didn’t waste another second.

Before long, we arrived at the station and were directed to the waiting area. Shortly after, an officer led us into a small room where Alejandro was being held.

“Bro, what happened?” Ace asked the moment we saw him.

Alejandro sat there with his hands still bound in those awful cuffs, his gaze fixed on the metal table instead of on us.

Then he smiled unexpectedly. “They said I killed a woman.”

Ace took the seat opposite him. I sat beside Ace, my hands clasped tightly together.

“Did you?” Ace asked quietly, like it was something he was actually considering.

“Of course not,” Dro replied quickly. “We didn’t even sleep together.”

“You didn’t?” I asked, shock slipping into my voice.

He looked at me. “No. I kept looking at her and seeing someone else. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I left her at her hotel and came back to ours.”

Silence followed. Thick and heavy. For a moment, it felt like the world narrowed down to just the two of us staring at each other.

Ace cleared his throat, pulling us back. “So if you left her alive, how did she die?”

“They’re saying strangulation,” Dro answered. “They’re calling it a crime of passion. That she didn’t want me anymore, so I got angry and killed her.”

This had to be the craziest thing I’d heard in years. Alejandro could be arrogant, manipulative, even cruel at times, but he wasn’t a murderer. And a crime of passion implied feelings. Alejandro barely admitted to having any.

“They received an anonymous tip saying I did it,” he added. “This whole thing is messed up.”

He turned to me. “Did you call Dad?”

I nodded and explained his father’s exact reaction.

“Not surprising. The old man hates me, and the feeling is mutual,” Dro muttered, though there was something wounded beneath the words.

He always acted tough and untouchable, but his relationship with his father was sad. Painfully sad.

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in an impeccable brown suit walked in, carrying a leather briefcase. His expression was calm as he removed his glasses and settled into a seat near Alejandro.

“Good evening, Mr. Montenegro. I’m Barrister Jerome.”

Dro rolled his eyes. “Let me guess. My dad sent you and I’m free to go, right?”

“Your father did send me,” Jerome replied carefully. “However, you’ll be spending the night here while the investigation continues. This is a complicated situation, especially in a small town like this where the crime rate is extremely low.”

The color drained from Alejandro’s face as he processed that.

“Hold on, Mr—”

“Jerome.”

“Yes, Mr. Jerome,” Ace continued. “So what you’re saying is we can’t post bail for him while the investigation goes on?”

“Exactly.”

I clutched the hem of my skirt, fear crawling up my spine. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. None of this made sense.

“Can you excuse us?” Dro said suddenly. “I need to speak to Mira alone.”

Ace gave him a steady look and stepped outside with the lawyer, leaving us in the small, suffocating room.

My heart pounded in my ears.

“Mira, I didn’t do it,” Alejandro said, finally meeting my eyes once we were alone. “But I think I know who did.”