Chapter 258

As I watched María José, the tension between us felt like a physical thing. You know, the type that was so palpable, you could have sworn you could touch it.
María José’s posture was as stiff as a board. She stood across the room from me, her hand frozen halfway to her mug. I could see the quick glances she was throwing toward the door, like she was expecting someone to burst in at any moment.
Maybe she was hoping Axel would walk through that door, charging in to protect her from whatever “game” I was playing.
I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips, the game was always so much more fun when you had a little leverage. And right now, I had enough leverage to shatter everything she thought she knew about her sister, her life, and the pack itself.
“Everyone in the pack knows you like Beta Axel. Surely, you can’t be happy he’s marrying your sister. Moreover, you had that one episode where you confessed your feelings for him to me.” I shrugged.
She shook her head. “I could be lying about that. Maybe I just wanted you to leave me alone.”
“That brings us back to what everyone has been saying about the triangle between you, your sister, and the Beta,” I replied ever so calmly.
“Didn’t take you as one to follow rumors,” María José’s tone was cautious.
It sounded like she was trying to hold herself together, but the cracks were there. I could hear the tremor in her tone.
“Unless the rumors are true,” I countered in a low pitch, letting the words dangle between us like a challenge.
She discreetly gulped, and those green eyes of hers flashed with something; was it guilt? Fear? I couldn’t be sure, but I could feel it radiating off of her.
My curiosity was piqued even deeper. Maybe she had expected me to show up tonight, but not like this. Not with this conversation about to unfold.
“And what if they are true?” I leaned in slightly, watching her every move, my own body barely moving, as though I didn’t have a care in the world.
It was a dangerous illusion I created so easily. She wasn’t fooled, though. She couldn’t be.
Her eyes widened a little, and I watched her swallow hard before asking, “What are you driving at, Mateo? Are you trying to mock me? Is that it? Mock me because Axel is marrying Rosa instead?”
I couldn’t suppress the chuckle that rumbled in my chest. It was a soft sound, but with a dangerous vibration. Hell, would I have mocked her had Axel married Rosa? ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ
Yes, I would. After all, she rejected me for him. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as planned.
I straightened slightly, leaning back in my chair while my fingers wrapped loosely around the warm mug of tea. The weight of the situation was beginning to settle in. I could feel the sensation of control filling my chest.
I shook my finger like a dog wagging its tail. “No, María José, not at all. Quite the opposite, actually. I’m here to offer you an opportunity.”
She squinted with confusion at me and I could see the confusion flashing across her face. The rapid beating of her heart was almost as loud as her shallow breaths. But she remained silent, waiting for the catch.
“You must deeply not want Axel to marry Rosa, not if you’re here. Not when you’re so in love with him. But no worries, I can help you with that.” I winked at her.
I could see her freeze, her lips pressing into a tight line. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her tea mug, but she didn’t break eye contact. “What are you talking about?”
Hehehe… My innocent flower was growing so many balls. It was Axel’s fault, that bastard. I couldn’t wait to break her all over again until she was back to being her usual timid and pitiful self.
I set my cup down, standing up to move closer to her. Her breath hitched, and her body stiffened as I neared, but I kept my pace slow. “What if I told you that I know something about your sister that would change everything?”
I was speaking quietly, my voice dropping to a seductive whisper. “What if I told you that I know something so dangerous, so secret, that it could make even your father beg Axel to call off the wedding?”
Her eyes widened, and for a split second, I thought she might stand up and leave. But she didn’t. Instead, she swallowed hard and spoke, the words coming out rushed. “That’s impossible. Rosa… she’s perfect. She’s always been perfect. There’s nothing you can say to change that.”
I smiled. “Oh, I think you’re wrong about that.”
I took a deep breath, leaning in so that I was almost whispering in her ear. “What if I told you that your perfect sister—your precious Rosa—has something she’s been hiding from everyone, including your father.”
Her eyes widened for a split second, and for the first time since I walked in, I saw genuine surprise. “What secret?” she breathed, the suspense already driving her insane.
I reveled in it.
A satisfied grin settled on my face. This was where things got interesting. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Her brows furrowed while a flicker of disbelief crossed her face. “There’s nothing like that, Luis. This is my father’s dream. Nothing can stop it. Did you just say my Father would beg Axel to call the wedding off? You’re joking.”
I couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out of my mouth. It was dry and almost bitter. “Oh, you’re right. Nothing can stop it. Not unless you know a little more about the people involved.”
She frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
I leaned in closer, watching her as she stiffened. “What if Rosa has a secret lover? Someone she’s been seeing for years. Someone she’s been sleeping with.”
Her mouth dropped open. I could see her pulse quicken as she struggled to process the words. “That’s impossible,” she said quickly, but I could hear the hesitation in her voice. “I’ve lived with Rosa all my life. I would’ve known.”
I sat back in my chair, taking a slow sip of my tea. “Maybe you don’t know her as well as you think.”
The words hit her like a slap to the face. She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. Her eyes darted to the side, like she was trying to convince herself it wasn’t true.
Oh, mi Amor, I haven’t even started yet. Brace yourself…