Chapter 17: A Night and a Scandal

The sound of music blended with the murmur of the waves on the private island. The warm breeze caressed Valeria’s skin as she danced with Nicolás in the middle of the softly lit dance floor. The champagne had relaxed her mind, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment without worries.

Nicolás held her firmly, guiding her with smooth and elegant movements. The song was soft and romantic, one of those melodies that seemed composed for an eternal love. Without realizing it, Valeria rested her head against his chest, letting the security he conveyed wrap around her.

But in the shadows, the infiltrator continued his mission.

Click.

Each photo captured an increasingly intimate moment—Nicolás caressing Valeria’s back, their gazes meeting, her relaxed smile as she laughed with a genuine sparkle of happiness in her eyes.

When the music ended, Nicolás didn’t step away immediately.

"You dance well," he murmured, his voice deep and close.

"Not bad for someone who only enjoys being single, right?" she replied with a playful smile.

"Who said I’m against you having fun?" he whispered, leaning in a little closer.

Valeria felt her heartbeat quicken, but before she could respond, a gust of night air made her shiver.

"I think I need to rest," she said, stepping away with a slight stumble.

"I’ll walk you," Nicolás offered.

"It’s not necessary…"

"I know, but I’ll do it anyway."

Social Media Explodes

Meanwhile, social media was on fire.

The infiltrator had posted a video of the couple dancing, with the caption:

"Newlyweds on their first wedding night."

The images showed Nicolás and Valeria swaying gently to the rhythm of the music in a scene that looked straight out of a fairy tale.

The comments flooded in instantly.

—"This can’t be real! Did Valeria get married in secret?"

—"Look at how she looks at him! They’re definitely in love!"

—"Does anyone else notice the chemistry between them?"

Mónica, Laura, Emma, Camila, and Sofía desperately tried to call her.

"Come on, pick up!" Sofía exclaimed, dialing for the fifth time.

But all they heard was the ringing with no answer.

"I can’t believe it… what if it’s true?" Laura asked, her eyes wide.

Mónica, more skeptical, shook her head.

"This has to be another misunderstanding."

Across the city, Valeria’s mother saw the video and, furious, threw her phone against the wall.

"How dare she get married and not tell us?!"

Her sister, tears in her eyes, kept repeating:

"That wedding was supposed to be mine…"

But the one who took the news the worst was Roberto.

With his phone in hand, watching the video on loop, he felt alcohol was his only option.

He drank without restraint until everything became a blurry haze.

A Moment of Weakness

Valeria and Nicolás reached her room door.

"Here we are," he said, leaning against the doorframe.

She tried to find her keys in her purse, but the champagne bubbles made everything feel more complicated.

"Give me that," Nicolás said amusedly, taking the keys from her hands and opening the door.

When the door opened, Valeria felt a strange mix of emotions. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe the adrenaline of the moment… or maybe, simply, the attraction she had tried to deny since meeting Nicolás.

Before overthinking it, she leaned in and pressed a kiss on his lips.

He froze for only a second before responding with the same intensity.

Nicolás’ hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened into something more passionate.

Breathless, Valeria pulled away just enough to whisper:

"Just for tonight… stay with me, Nicolás."

Nicolás looked at her intently, as if evaluating every word. Then, without saying anything, he took her hand and closed the door behind them.

What happened next was inevitable.

Two souls seeking refuge.

Two hearts beating to the same rhythm.

Two people who, for the first time in a long while, allowed themselves to feel without restraint.

The Ultimate Scandal

The infiltrator, who had been closely following Valeria and Nicolás’ every move, didn’t miss the opportunity.