Fernanda stepped back into her room, but Ector lingered, his feet rooted to the spot.

His gaze fell to the railing where Fernanda had been resting just moments before. Then, his eyes drifted toward the distant courtyard wall.

Though his expression carried its usual warmth, the sharp gleam in his eyes betrayed a deeper resolve simmering beneath the surface. For a moment, he stood motionless, lost in thought, before quietly retreating to his own room.

By the next morning, just past six, Fernanda descended the stairs carrying her suitcase.

She was dressed simply but elegantly in a beige sweater, jeans, and a white wool coat—a look that was both neat and elegant.

She held her suitcase in one hand and had a backpack slung over her shoulder. That was all the luggage she had.

The soft sound of footsteps reached Ector in the dining room, and when he looked up, he saw her.

For a moment, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Fernanda had never truly settled into the Morgan family’s home. It felt more like a brief stop, and now, she was preparing to leave.

Most people would have many things to pack when moving out, but Fernanda’s belongings barely filled a suitcase.

“How about breakfast?” Ector asked, his voice gentle.

Fernanda shook her head, her eyes distant. “No, I’d rather go to the coffee shop.”

Truth be told, she was eager to leave. The longer she stayed at the Morgan family’s home, the more the tension built inside her. Robert’s temper would flare again if he saw her, and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with him.

“Okay,” Ector said, placing his glass on the counter. “I’ll drive you.” The sky was still shrouded in gray, the day not quite awake. The cool mist of the early morning kissed their faces, jolting them into full awareness.

Fernanda’s gaze lingered on the Morgan family’s villa, its towering silhouette cutting through the mist. The house stood in eerie stillness, broken only by the occasional flutter of birds taking flight from the branches.

Despite the time she’d spent here, the villa never quite felt like home.

When the car pulled up in front of her, Fernanda slid into the passenger seat beside Ector.

“I know a good coffee place nearby,” Ector said, his tone light. “Let me treat you.”

Fernanda flashed a small, amused smile. “Sounds good.”

The coffee shop was cozy, small enough to fit just six tables. The early hour kept the crowd at bay, and they easily found a spot near the door, settling into the quiet warmth.

Ector placed an order for two coffees and a sandwich.

Fernanda took a sip from her cup, savoring the rich taste. It was good—better than she expected. But just as she set the cup down, her phone buzzed with a message from Rosita. “Done.”

Within seconds, Fernanda’s phone erupted with notifications.

The first headline read, “Breaking News! Fernanda and Bobby Call Off Their Engagement!”

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