Episode 16

Lore looks at Alexander and then turns to look at Valentina, but she is already gone.

"Tell me it's a lie, Alexander!" Lore approaches him.

"I have to face what I've done."

"Does that mean you'll leave me?" Lore feels helpless.

"Listen, Lore, now is not the time to argue. The important thing is my father's health, that's all that matters to me."

"What about me? Where do I fit in?" She asks, becoming hysterical.

"That's enough, Lore! I'm not going to argue with you, especially not in the street. It's best if you go."

Alexander walks towards the entrance of the clinic.

"Alexander, you promised to marry me. You have to keep your damn word! I can't just step aside. What is that woman doing to you? Tell me to my face! Have some guts!" Lore approaches and Alexander lowers his gaze.

Lore stands in front of him.

"Tell me she doesn't matter to you. Is she the reason for your damn obsession? You left me with my parents and I had to tell so many lies." Lore clenches her fists. "Tell me the truth!"

"Son?" Mrs. Williams approaches, having been looking for him to talk, but her gaze settles on Lore, who regains her composure.

"Mother," Alexander manages to say, afraid his mother heard Lore.

"Who is this woman?" Mrs. Williams looks at her closely, not liking the vibe Lore gives off, especially with her revealing attire.

Alexander was about to respond, but Lore interrupts.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Williams. I'm Lore, a very good friend of your son's," she extends her hand.

"Friend?" Mrs. Williams leaves her hand hanging. "Alexander, what's going on?" She directs an intense gaze at him.

"Mother... She's a coworker's friend, but she's leaving now, right?" Alexander sounds tense.

Lore's fake smile is not pleasant to Mrs. Williams. "Yes... It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope Mr. Williams gets better soon... Alexander," she fixes her gaze on him. "We'll talk later," she says her last words with pauses, walking away very displeased.

"I don't like that woman, son."

"Mother, why are you looking for me?"

"Right... What about Valentina?"

"She wasn't feeling well, she went back to the mansion."

"Are things not going well between you and Valentina?"

"No, it's best if we go back to my father."

Valentina is in the mansion, feeling very sad about Mr. Williams' condition. She felt like having a glass of wine, but no... She went to her room and sat on the bed, then sighed. She feels so tired, unable to rest properly. She undresses and lies down. She doesn't even know what to think about Alexander anymore, but she is glad she put Lore in her place.

Morning comes, and Valentina is still asleep.

"Valentina," she hears her name. "Wake up, Valentina," her husband's masculine voice makes her wake up. She yawns, wanting to sleep more.

"What's wrong?" She sits up in bed, covering her body with the sheet.

"We need to talk," Alexander requests, looking at Valentina closely.

"I suppose it's about your lover, so no, I'm going to get ready to visit Mr. Williams."

"Why do you have to be so difficult?" he asks as he sees her stand up.

"Difficult? Or is it because I'm not a fool anymore?"

"Please, Valentina, my father is in poor health, and he made me promise never to leave you."

"What a burden for you, right?"

Valentina drops the sheet, and Alexander becomes restless upon seeing her.

"I had to do it, otherwise my father could have died, and I don't want to feel guilty."

"Well, after all, you do have a heart!" Valentina complains, entering the bathroom and leaving Alexander alone.

He angrily grabs a pillow and throws it against the wall, while Valentina takes her time in the bathroom. She actually hopes he gets tired of waiting so she doesn't have to talk about something that will inevitably hurt her.

But when she comes out of the bathroom, there is her husband, sitting on the bed with his arms crossed.

"I thought you had left," she walks naked towards the closet.

"I know you're going to visit my father. I'll come with you, and I ask you, please, behave as if you're happy with me."

"Unhappy, that's what you are, a hypocrite, Alexander. Go to work, I don't want you near me."

"You also work with me, you can't stop working because you're registered, and you say you are very responsible, so I hope you fulfill your work. We will go with my father, because he wants to see you, and if you love him so much, please... I know I am a piece of shit, and that you live a shitty life with me, but do it for my father."

Valentina remains silent and dresses under Alexander's penetrating gaze.

"I'll do anything for your father."

"Perfect."

"I thought you were going to talk about Lore, that you were going to start with your hysteria."

"I apologize for Lore's behavior."

"Do you love her, Alexander? Do you really love that woman?"

"Why continue hurting yourself, Valentina?" Alexander stands up and approaches her.

"Stay away, Alexander. Your proximity nauseates me."

"Why play with me like this?" He approaches her regardless of the distance Valentina wants.

Valentina arches an eyebrow and turns her back to him, but he gets closer and she swallows hard. Carefully, she moves aside her long hair to whisper in his ear.

"Valentina... You are beautiful."

"All you want is to convince me to play the role of the happy wife," Alexander turns her around to face him.

"Valentina... It's difficult for me. I want you to tell me the real reason why you asked for those three months."

"No."

"Give me an answer! I'm going crazy with all this shit!" Alexander grunts.

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