From Substitute Wife to the CEO's Obsession novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The First to Leave

Lorena was waiting for the elevator when Ignacio caught up with her.

He had followed her out of the room without a word to his mother.

"Lorena."

"Don't," she said. "I'm not asking permission."

"I know."

He stood two feet from her, close enough that she could see the pulse in his throat.

"It's your choice," he said. "I will not stop you."

His voice was formal and very quiet.

It was the voice he used for investors.

It hurt more than shouting would have.

"Then it's decided," she said.

"Yes."

The elevator doors opened.

His hand rose toward her wrist and stopped in the air.

He let it fall.

She stepped inside, and the doors closed on his face.

She did not go to the lobby.

She went down one floor, waited four minutes, and took the stairs back up.

Renata's family had gone down to the cafeteria.

The room was empty except for the bed.

"I thought you'd come back," Renata whispered.

Lorena sat on the edge of the mattress and took her sister's hand.

"You can't talk much. Rest."

"I can talk a little." Renata swallowed. "Mari, listen. The wedding."

"We'll talk about it later."

"No. Now. I wasn't going to marry him."

Lorena stared at her.

"What?"

"The night before, I told Ignacio I couldn't." Renata's whisper cracked. "I didn't love him. I never did. I let Mamá push me for two years because it was easier."

"What did he say?"

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