Page 102

Ysabel had promised her newfound friend she would do this, and do it she would...even if it killed her.

So just put on the damn gown and keep your promise!

Her tears started falling as she squeezed herself into the gown, and Ysabel angrily wiped them away.Big girls don't cry,she reminded herself,and most especially not when it involved walking down the aisle in a pretty dress.

She did her best not to think of anything else as she applied her makeup, but it was only when she sprayed some perfume on herself that she realized too late it smelled of...cherries.

The perfume was part of a welcome gift set from hotel management, and Ysabel didn't know whether to laugh or cry as its scent made her remember the one person she had no business remembering.

I don't understand, God.

Three months had already passed, and she had been so, so sure that this time around, she would be able to forget him for good. The past five years, Ysabel hadn't been able to move on because of the countless what-if questions that troubled her soul.

But it was different now. Or at least itshould'vebeen different, since she had come to realize that she, Cattleya, and his grandmother - all of them were wrong. All of them had assumed Massimo had never been satisfied with Ynez because she wasn't Ysabel.

But they were all wrong, and it was time for Ysabel to accept this.

Her sister might have deceived Massimo about that night, but the two of them were clearly meant to be together. How could she believe anything else, when someone as possessive as Massimo could still rush to her sister's rescue...even when he knew Ynez had been cheating on him?

I know it's over between us, God. I already know that. So why can't I still forget him?

She was about to step out of the hotel when the doors opened, and her steps crashed into a silent halt.

Massimo?

He was so, so much more gorgeous than she had allowed herself to remember. But he had also visibly lost weight, and agony squeezed her heart as she tried to wonder why. Were they fighting again? Had he caught Ynez cheating—-non andare lì, Ysa! Don't go there! Just don't!

It was over between them, and—-

Shit.

Massimo had already looked up, and the moment his dark haunted eyes clashed with hers, it was as if the entire world had stopped, and it was all Ysabel could do not to cry the words that were threatening to rip her apart.

Perché, Massimo? Why? Why can't it be me?

Massimo could feel himself whitening as he stared athisYsabel...but she would not be for long, considering what she was wearing.

"Who is it, Ysabel?" he asked hoarsely.

"I d-don't..."

Was she saying she didn't want to tell him?Perché?Because she believed it was no longer his business?

Massimo knew a man much better than him was deserving of her, butdammit, dammit, dammit—-

"How did you even find me?" Ysabel asked painfully.La Stregahad told her she would be safe here, and he would never find her. So why was Massimo now standing in front of her?

"I've been looking for you every fucking day, Ysabel."

It hurt to hear the hollowness of his tone, and while she knew he would never lie—-what if he was only searching for her out of guilt?

"I was driving everyone crazy because of it, and that's how I ended up here."

Was he saying...he had only bumped into her by coincidence?

"Please don't do this." Massimo could no longer bear staring at his Ysabel dressed like a fucking bride andnotsaying anything about it. "I know I have no right to ask you of this," he admitted tautly, "butper favore,Ysabel—-give me another chance.Please."

"This is about your duty, isn't it?" she asked stiltedly.