CHAPTER 651. RED PROMISE. The Known and the… UnexpectedThere was a fine line between desperation and guilt that kept Mauro from closing his eyes. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had slept, but he was certain that the last time he had truly rested was in Ainara’s arms.A flood of memories from ten years ago filled his mind—all that had happened, the way he had broken her heart, because now he understood that this was exactly what he had done.He had broken his promise; he had hurt Ainara just like her father had hurt her. And in recent months, he had tried to keep her as a hidden lover, exactly like her mother had been all her life.“If that’s not the dumbest thing ever!” he exclaimed furiously, hitting the steering wheel. But veering slightly off the road forced him to focus again before causing an accident.He arrived in Zurich before noon and only called his father to let him know he was back. After all, his direct involvement in the construction process wasn’t necessary
CHAPTER 652. RED PROMISE. Painful RevelationsNothing—not even Superman himself descending epically from the sky in front of him—could have had such an impact on Mauro."June." Only then did the memory hit him like a punch, bringing back the name of Ainara’s mother.“June Jáuregui,” he murmured, and the little girl clapped her hands excitedly.“Yes, yes! That’s my name!”Mauro couldn’t tell what hurt more: discovering that Ainara had a daughter, or realizing that this little girl was the second child in the family to carry her mother’s surname.He took a shaky step back, leaning against the staircase railing as the two people in front of him tried to understand why he had gone so pale.“Would you like to come in, Mr. Keller?” the older woman asked hurriedly. “I’ll make you some tea! Come on, come on!”The little girl’s tiny hand tugging at his was what seemed to snap him out of his daze. Mauro felt his heart stop as he finally entered the apartment. Every single thing inside—the decor
CHAPTER 653. RED PROMISE. My Heart Is Yours“The man you said yes to.”Mauro’s words brought a sarcastic smile to Ainara’s face, and he understood it in an instant.“You never intended to marry him,” he murmured, recognizing how much her demeanor had changed since the last time he had seen her—enough to lie and survive at all costs.He watched her walk past him to the window, where she gazed outside at the small park where her daughter played.“Lugh has always wanted something. And I always knew I couldn’t get rid of him because of the relationship between our parents,” she replied coldly. “The problem is, I wanted something too—I just needed time to get it. His marriage proposal was… rushed, inconvenient. But I’m smart enough to know that rejecting it could have disastrous consequences for my plans, so I accepted it until I could… do what I’m doing now.”She looked him in the eye for a moment, and Mauro felt a lump in his throat.“You’re running away. You’re escaping,” he realized, h
CHAPTER 654. RED PROMISE. A SuspicionMauro wanted the ground to swallow him whole, for hell to consume him, because every one of Ainara’s words had the power to tear his heart apart. She didn’t trust anyone anymore—and that included not trusting him.“Listen… wait… Please, Ainara, wait,” he begged, taking her hands. “I know you have no reason to trust me. I know I broke my promise, I abandoned you… I’ve behaved in the worst possible way. But please, hear me out. I can change all of that. I can ease any doubts you have, I can protect you if you want to escape… Please, let me do it.”But all Ainara did was step back.“No. I’ve already planned my destination, and I… I have to go,” she declared. “Because you’re not part of it. In the end, everything that’s happened in these past months has helped me leave with a clear conscience, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want to leave.”Mauro buried his head in his hands, despairing as he watched her walk away to grab a few more items from h
CHAPTER 655. RED PROMISE. A Terrifying MemoryAinara felt her heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest. She didn’t even have the energy to make a scene over the fact that Mauro had been following her since she left her apartment. He was an idiotic traitor, but that only applied to their romantic history. No matter how much she despised him at times, she knew he was a man of integrity in other ways.Glancing in the rearview mirror, she squinted through the glare of headlights and spotted the black SUV just a few cars behind her.“Mauro… what… What’s going on?” she murmured, her eyes darting to little June, peacefully asleep in the backseat.For a moment, the only response was a muttered curse before Mauro’s voice came through, calm and resolute.“Ainara, listen to me very carefully,” he said, trying to keep his composure. He knew there was a woman in that vehicle, but he couldn’t be sure if anyone else was with her. “I need you to take a right at the next light, okay? Then take two m
CHAPTER 656. RED PROMISE. A FamilyShe couldn’t tremble. Ainara knew she couldn’t afford to shake—not with her daughter in her arms. And yet, that sixth sense screamed at her, making her crouch instinctively as all her alarms went off. The people running past the side of the store… they were looking for her.She crouched behind some oversized coats, hoping they would conceal her, because hiding in a fitting room was out of the question. Anyone with half a brain would check there first.She didn’t make a sound—not a single word—even though the hands-free device was still in her ear. The only thing that came from her lips was a soft shushing meant to calm June, who was drifting in and out of sleep.She was so tense that when she felt someone grab her, her chest expanded in preparation to release a desperate scream—until a hand covered her mouth.“It’s me! Shh, shh, it’s me!” Mauro’s voice whispered in her ear, and he immediately turned her around, taking the little girl from her arms.“
CHAPTER 657. RED PROMISE. Hidden EnemiesHe watched as she raised both hands to her head, shaking it in despair. She was beautiful—so beautiful that even in her anguish, she was the most stunning woman Mauro had ever known. Nothing could change that, just as nothing could change the fact that he was hopelessly in love with her. He always had been, and he always would be.He pulled her into a powerful embrace, feeling her start to breathe more evenly, as though his warmth could calm her, even for just a moment.“Tell me what happened, because, to be honest, I don’t understand a damn thing,” she murmured, and Mauro lifted her by the hips with a firm motion, sitting her on the kitchen island.He opened the fridge and pulled out a chilled bottle of wine. After everything they’d just been through, they both needed to catch their breath.“To start with, Mrs. Dorina is absolutely useless when it comes to protecting June. I’m not saying she’s not a good nanny or that she isn’t loving, but she
CHAPTER 658. RED PROMISE. If OnlyIt was already early morning, the temperature outside was dropping, and Mauro knew Ainara was distressed. They hadn’t even managed to bring their suitcases, having fled in Mauro’s car. He went to one of the rooms and came back with a small set of clothes that could work for June.“And this?” she asked, frowning curiously.“That’s older than Methuselah,” he chuckled in a whisper. “I spent most of my childhood in this house, and my mom has a special reluctance to throw away any of my things. So, in the closet of my old room, you’ll find clothes that might fit June, at least for now. Tomorrow, I’ll go buy you both some new clothes.”Ainara didn’t want to impose, but at that moment, she was too nervous to be proud.“Alright… thanks,” she murmured, watching as Mauro grabbed another set of clothes, this one larger.“Pajamas for you. Mine. So you don’t forget my scent,” he teased, winking, and she rolled her eyes before going to change June.Mauro then carri