Book 3: Chapter 31

Morning light seeped gently through the curtains as Esmeralda lay covered in the warmth of her bed, completely unaware of the world around her. She hadn’t slept this deep in years, and for a moment, everything felt right. Her mind lingered on fragments of the night before Santiago’s presence, his touch, his voice whispering her name. It all felt like a dream, and she wasn’t quite ready to let it go.

A soft knock at the door barely registered at first, blending with the lingering haze of sleep. But as the knocking grew more persistent, her eyes opened, and she groggily took in the room. It took her a moment but realization soon hit her like cold water.

She had overslept. 

Diego had reminded her yesterday on the drive back home about the early meeting at the company with Santiago and his lawyers to sign the paperwork. She should have been up over an hour ago.

Before she could even gather her thoughts, the doorknob twisted sharply, and the door flew open. D