Once Maria was inside her apartment, her phone buzzed.
The quiet inside felt almost unnatural after the emotional storm of the day.
The door had barely clicked shut behind her when the vibration echoed through the small space, sharp and insistent.
She stood still for a moment, her hand still resting on the doorknob, as if stepping any further would force her to face everything she had been trying to hold back.
It was Priya.
Maria exhaled slowly, dropping her bag onto the nearby chair before pulling out her phone.
The familiar name on the screen brought a small sense of comfort—something stable, something safe.
Priya: Maria, how was your day today?
Maria stared at the message for a few seconds, her mind replaying Sophia’s words, Alex’s expression, the tension she hadn’t been able to shake.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed, keeping it short because she didn’t trust herself to say more without unraveling.
Maria texted back: Kind of ended awkward.
She tossed the phone lightly onto the bed and began pacing, running a hand through her hair.
Her heart still hadn’t settled.
She could feel the unease sitting in her chest, heavy and persistent.
Her phone was silent for a second… then it started ringing.
Priya’s name lit up the screen.
Maria picked up, almost immediately this time, needing to hear a voice that wasn’t filled with hidden meanings.
Priya: Boom — “What happened?
Is there any problem?”
Maria sank onto the edge of her bed, shoulders slumping as the tension she’d been holding in finally found a crack.
Maria: “I think Alex is hiding something from me.
His ex — his first love — showed up today and tried to stir up trouble.
And Alex… he just said he’ll tell me about his family ‘with time.’”
Her voice carried a mix of frustration and uncertainty.
She hated how unsure she sounded, how shaken she felt over something that should have been simple.
Priya: “Maria, you need to check your head!
You know exes will try to start drama just to get their guy back.
And you’re not some brand-new girlfriend.
You have to fight for him.
Don’t be a weakling.
Watch what I say — it might not be entirely true.
You have to hear it from Alex himself.”
Maria leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling, letting Priya’s words settle.
She wanted to believe that.
She really did.
Maria: “I’m trying, Priya.
But sometimes what they say *is* true.
She said… she said if his family finds out about our relationship, he’ll break up with me.”
The words tasted bitter as they left her mouth.
Saying them out loud made them feel more real, more threatening.
Priya: “Don’t you know that love can conquer everything?
Maria, just give it time.”
Maria: “I’m trying.
I don’t want to go through hell.
I’m here for a holiday, you know?”
Her gaze drifted toward the window, the faint glow of the city slipping through the curtains.
This was supposed to be light, easy—something temporary and beautiful.
Not complicated.
Not painful.
Priya: “I know.
I know what’s wrong with you.
You’re feeling like you’re going to run into a family like yours in New York, right?
Like they’ll look at you with contempt?”
Maria’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
Maria: “Yeah… that’s what I’m feeling right now.”
The memory of those looks—cold, dismissive, judgmental—lingered like a shadow she couldn’t quite escape.
Priya: “Don’t let what Sophia said get into your head, okay?”
Maria: “Okay.
I’ll try.”
Priya: “Just enjoy this holiday.
Soon we’ll be back to college, remember?”
Maria: “Yeah.
I’m trying.”
Priya: “Now wipe that moping face, go to sleep, and forget about Sophia.
She might be lying.
When Alex is ready to open up, you’ll know the truth.”
Maria: “Okay.
Okay.
Good night.”
Maria hung up, the call ending with a soft click that echoed louder than it should have.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
Then she stood by the window, staring out.
The city stretched endlessly before her, lights flickering, people moving, life continuing as if nothing had shifted.
My gut’s telling me Alex’s secret won’t be simple… and I might not be able to take it, she thought.
Her reflection in the glass looked uncertain, fragile in a way she didn’t like.
With a sigh, she dropped her bag and headed to the shower, letting the sound of running water fill the silence, hoping it would drown out her thoughts—even if just for a little while.
The next day, Maria threw herself into work, moving diligently from table to table.
She didn’t allow herself a moment to think.
Every second was filled—orders, trays, polite smiles, quick steps.
It was easier this way.
Safer.
Then an unexpected visitor walked in — Sophia.
The shift in her mood was instant.
Her stomach tightened, her steps faltered for just a fraction of a second before she forced herself to keep moving.
Maria tried to avoid her, hoping someone else would step up.
She kept her focus elsewhere, wiping tables that were already clean, adjusting things that didn’t need adjusting.
But everyone else was busy.
She had no choice but to approach.
“Good morning, ma’am.
What would you like to order?” Maria said, keeping her voice professional.
Sophia looked her up and down and snorted.
“I thought there was something great about you.
I never knew you were just a waitress at a little cafe.”
“Ma’am,” Maria said, ignoring the jab, “what’s your order?”
“Just bring me a cream coffee,” Sophia said, then added coldly, “And I need to talk to you.”
“Okay, ma’am.”
Maria went to the counter, collected Sophia’s order, and set it down.
“You said you wanted to talk?”
“It’s about Alex,” Sophia said, watching her every move.
“Like I said before — leave him.
Right now.
Or you’ll be the one left broken.”
Maria met her eyes.
“Say whatever you want to say.
It’ll be up to me whether I leave him or not.”
Sophia leaned in.
“Alex comes from a *wealthy* family.
A very wealthy family in Paris.
This whole ‘cafe’ thing he’s doing?
It’s not what his father wanted.
His mother is late — she’s gone.
He’s only pursuing this because it was *her* wish.
His father is letting him have his little rebellion… for now.”
She paused, sipping her coffee.
“But if his father finds out he’s dating a waitress?
He’ll be furious.”
Maria’s hands clenched.
“Okay.
So what does that have to do with you?”
“What it has to do with me,” Sophia said, smiling, “is that I am Alex’s betrothed.”
Maria’s head buzzed.
Everything froze.
“You… you are his betrothed?”
“Yes, I am.
We’re intended.
Back off.
If you’re a *wealthy* heiress, maybe his father would cancel the betrothal and arrange one with you — because he’ll arrange one with *someone* from his world.
But if not?
I remain his betrothed.
Unless he’s willing to give up his inheritance to be with you.”
Sophia stood, smoothing her dress.
“Goodbye.
And enjoy the relationship while it lasts.”
She walked out majestically, leaving Maria standing there, coffee still steaming on the table, her whole world tilting.
Maria didn’t know how she made it through the rest of her shift.
Her coworker, Cora and Park, could tell something was wrong.
But Cora knew better than to push.
If Maria wanted to talk, she would.
If she didn’t, she wouldn’t. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
So Maria worked in silence, jaw tight, mind screaming.
When her shift finally ended, she yanked off her apron and walked out of the cafe like she didn’t belong there anymore.
Like she didn’t belong in *his* world.
Betrothed.
Betrothed.
Betrothed.
The word echoed in her head with every step.
Sophia’s betrothed.
It hurt.
Why didn’t Alex tell me?
Was he planning to give up his inheritance for me?
Or was he planning to… let me go?
I don’t want my struggle to ruin someone else’s life.
Her phone rang.
She saw the caller ID: Alex.
But she wasn’t in the mood.
With a sigh, she hit decline and switched her phone off.
She walked slowly home.
When she reached her apartment, she saw Alex’s car parked outside.
He was leaning against it, waiting.
Maria pretended not to see him.
She pulled out her keys, unlocked her door, and was about to step inside when Alex stopped her, his hand on the door.
“Maria, what’s wrong?
I was trying to call you but your phone was off.
Why did you just walk past me like I wasn’t there?
What happened?”
Maria just stared at him.
“Are you hiding anything from me?”
“No,” Alex said quickly.
“I’m not hiding anything.
I told you about my family — I’m just not ready to talk about it yet.”
“You’re not hiding anything from me?” Maria’s voice cracked.
“You’re not hiding anything, right?”
“Maria, what’s wrong?
Yes, I’m not hiding—”
“Then who is Sophia?”
Alex blinked.
“Sophia?
She’s my ex.”
“Your ex.
Only your ex?
Isn’t she your betrothed?”
Alex froze.
“Sophia… Maria, Sophia told you that, right?
I’m not planning to acknowledge it.”
“You’re not planning to acknowledge it?
Then what are you trying to do?
Are you going to give up your inheritance for me?
Or are you planning to dump me later on?”
“No, Sophia— I mean, Maria, that’s not what I— I’m still trying to figure it out with my dad.”
Maria shook her head, eyes glassy.
“Alex… when you’re ready to tell me the truth, you can contact me.
But right now?
I don’t want to see you.
I’m not in the mood.”
She pushed the door open, stepped inside, and slammed it in his face.
Alex stood there, stunned.
He ran a hand roughly through his hair, lingering at her door for a long moment before turning back to his car.
He drove off fast, gripping the wheel, trying to calm the anger burning in his chest.
Sophia.
How dare she?
How dare she spread that nonsense?
I thought my dad already cancelled that stupid betrothal!
Why is she using it again?
Doesn’t she want my stepbrother?
Why is she causing unnecessary trouble right now?