Chapter 42

Ameira’s POV

As if cold water had been poured over me, I stood there, my eyes fixed on Mateo, dropping the keys I had assumed were for Lexie. The sight of him standing before me sent shivers down my spine, a jolt of mixed emotions coursing through my veins. Seeing him now was the last thing I expected, especially considering the chaos he and his brother had caused in my life.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice devoid of any trace of warmth or welcome. I made it clear that I didn’t want to see him, not after he had ignored me for nearly a month following our abrupt breakup. The pain of his sudden departure without any explanation had left me in a state of emotional disarray. Was his presence now intentional? If it was, I was far from pleased.

“Ameira, can we talk? Please, let’s talk,” he pleaded, his words laced with an undertone of desperation.

I paused, his request catching me off guard. Why did Mateo want to talk to me? Could it be that Xandros ha