Chapter 51 Fifty One

Chapter 51 Fifty One
VALERIE

It had been two days since everything had gone downhill, and avoiding Lucas had become my routine. I didn’t know how to face him anymore.

Even the thought of running into him felt like opening a door I had tried to slam shut countless times. I didn’t understand him—or what he wanted at this point.

It was contradictory. He had called that night a mistake, had sternly told me to act according to the contract, and that was exactly what I had been doing.

Yet seeing him calm and unbothered when his parents spoke about finalizing the agreement, as if nothing had just come crashing down, was maddening.

And then the kiss. I still didn’t understand what had possessed him to kiss me again.

Somehow, it felt like he didn’t want me to stall the contract, even though that was the most logical thing to do.

And I… I had kissed him back, despite the walls I had built around myself. If I truly wanted to leave this union unscathed once all of this was over, I had to stand firm.

But I knew that somewhere deep inside, it was going to be impossible. I had fallen too deeply for Lucas, and that complicated everything. And the thought of Mr. and Mrs. Castillo finding out made a chill run down my spine.

They had been nothing but kind to me, but I knew firsthand that their anger was not something I wanted to experience. My fear only worsened at the thought of being at the receiving end once this was all over.

I dragged a hand down my face, trying to shake off the swirl of thoughts when I heard the soft thud of something being placed on the table, followed by the screech of a chair being pulled back.

I looked up, startled, and found Sofia seated opposite me. She had set a steaming mug of coffee in front of me and another in front of herself.

“Oh,” I murmured distractedly and reached for my cup. “Thanks.”

She gave me a small, knowing smile, and I took a careful sip, the warmth grounding me slightly.

I hadn’t even realized she’d gone to order the drinks while I sat lost in my own head. I didn’t see the need to tell Lucas I was leaving the house.

His arm was slowly healing, and Logan was around anyway, he had plenty of support. It wasn’t like I could risk complicating things more by staying in his orbit right now.

I dragged my hand down my face, the swirl of emotions still heavy, as Sofia’s voice rang through the quiet café.

“You know, Valerie, I’m just thrilled my parents are finalizing the contract. I’m so happy for you!”

Her words should have made me smile, but instead, I felt a cold prickle of unease.

Happiness for me?

Here I was, struggling to untangle my feelings for Lucas, confused by his contradictions, and Sofia was… celebrating. All for what?

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“How did you even know the contract would be finalized soon?” I asked. “I don’t remember discussing it with you—not until now.”

Sofia froze mid-sip, the mug paused at her lips, her expression betraying nothing… except that she had halted, waiting.

She lifted her eyes, set the mug down, and laughed softly.

“Oh, Valerie… it’s my family. You think I wouldn’t know what’s going on?”

I pressed my palm to my forehead. Of course she’d know.

“But still, Sofia,” I muttered, “you of all people should know what this means. The power your parents wield… if the truth ever comes out, I’d be finished. My family, myself… ruined. I’ve led them on from the start. If there were a way to stall things… just until Vanessa comes back…”

Her hand shot up to mine. “You shouldn’t even think like that!”

“Why not?”

“Suspicion, Valerie. That’s all it would bring,” she said firmly.

“I’m not exposing myself,” I said, lowering my voice. “I just want to delay things until Vanessa returns.”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “Okay, enough about that witch.”

“Sofia!”

“What? She’s responsible for all this chaos. I get your fear, Valerie, but for once, look at the brighter side. How sure are we that Vanessa will ever resurface? From her letter, she made it clear she never wanted to be tied to one man. She clearly didn’t love Lucas and has moved on. You, on the other hand…”

A small grin appeared. “Honestly… I’m a little grateful she left.”

“Huh?”

She shrugged and lifted her mug. “Yeah. I wouldn’t have met you, nor had the chance to get close. And for that dumbass brother of mine to end up with a gorgeous, loving wife like you…”

“Oh, please, Sofia. We’re married just on paper,” I said, masking a small smile.

“Just for now,” she replied and winked.

She took a slow sip of her coffee, and I shook my head, unable to grasp the level of confidence she had that somehow everything would work out in the end.

The table vibrated with a soft chime. Sofia’s phone lit up. She set her mug down and glanced at it. Before I could process anything, she squealed loudly, making me flinch as heads turned in the quiet café.

My brows drew together in confusion.

“Sofia? What’s wrong?” I asked.

She looked down at her phone again, then back at me. Her grin widened, and she pushed her chair back. “Yes!” she exclaimed and bolted toward the door.

I stared after her retreating figure, shook my head at her unpredictability, and returned to my coffee.

Moments later, the chime sounded again, teetering on the table as it vibrated wildly.

Instinctively, I grabbed it before it could fall. I released a shaky sigh, then froze as I noticed a text from a familiar name:

“Hey amor, how’s everything going at your end?”
— Logan.

I blinked at the screen, stunned. From what I had observed, Logan and Sofia had always been at each other’s throats. Seeing his affectionate tone left me off-balance.

The phone was ripped from my hand before I could dwell on it. I looked up: Sofia stood before me with a plate of burger, visibly nervous.

“Heyyyy… that’s rude, you know,” she said, cheeks tinged pink.

“I—I’m sorry, but… is that Logan?” I asked softly.

Sofia froze, not meeting my eyes. She powered off her phone and set it on the table.

“You two are… close now,” I said, trying to make sense of it.

Her eyes flicked to mine, and after a tense pause, she cleared her throat, about to speak, when a soft, familiar perfume hit my nose. My breath caught.

Heels clicked beside our table. A bag thudded onto the surface.

I recognized it instantly.

I slowly lifted my eyes. Blonde hair, hazel eyes, that grin that always set my heart on edge. She tilted her head, brow arched.

“Well, well… we really do have similar taste in cafés, don’t we?” she said lightly.

My heart sank as dread consumed me. “V…Vanessa,” I whispered.

She sighed, playful and infuriating. “Ohh right… that’s me.”

Sofia’s voice erupted opposite me.

“Hell no.”