<b>Chapter </b>146


    The next day, Nivera sat across from Celeste in her sunlit office, folders stacked high between them.


    The table was littered with contracts, endorsement offers, and magazine inquiries–all marked with sticky notes and neat red shes where Celeste had


    already discarded the less important ones.


    Thetter sat across from her, stylish as ever, her sses perched on the bridge of her nose as she scrolled through her tablet screen before turning to


    face Nivera.


    “Alright,” she said, “we’ve got five major offers on the table, but you can’t possibly attend every single meeting this week. So we’ll need to prioritize.”


    “This one we’ll keep,” Celeste stated, sliding a glossy folder toward Nivera. “Good exposure, big payout, but they’ll need you in Paris for at least a week.”


    Nivera leaned her cheek against her palm, flipping the page half–heartedly.


    She should have been excited–this was the kind of problem she had dreamed of having two years ago, too many offers instead of none– but her mind kept drifting.


    She was distracted because Alejandro hadn’t been home when she’d left this morning. The mansion had been quiet, the kind of quiet that made her wonder if he had deliberately left early to avoid her–not that she cared, of course. She’d told herself she didn’t.


    “Are you listening to me?” Celeste asked, one brow arched.


    “Yes, yes. Paris, one week.” She tried for a smile, pushing the thoughts of him away.


    “-so that leaves the Paris runway audition and the Mn magazine cover. Honestly, both are huge, but I’d say Mn first. The magazine will give you more visibility.”


    Nivera nodded, forcing her mind back to the present. “Yes, let’s do Mn. Paris can wait.”


    “Good choice.” Celeste smiled, satisfaction lighting her sharp features. “I’ll reschedule the Paris call and confirm with Mn.”


    She made a few quick taps, then nced at Nivera. “You look tired, though. Are you sure you’re okay to push through all this?”


    “I’m fine.” The lie slid too easily off her tongue.


    They worked for another hour, streamlining the endless invitations and meetings into something more manageable.


    By the time Nivera finally closed thest folder, her phone buzzed on the desk. She nced at the screen.


    Marceline.


    Her heart skipped. A part of her almost didn’t want to answer. She already knew what this was about–Alejandro, the fight, and the tension that had practically bled into the dining tablest night.


    Still, she swiped the screen. “Marceline?”


    “Darling, are you free?” Marceline’s voice was warm, filled with that effortless elegance she carried everywhere. “I thought we could spend a little time together. Perhaps ate lunch, or just… a chat.”


    Nivera hesitated. She had hoped Marceline wouldn’t notice and had tried to be on her best behaviour, but Alejandro had a way of pushing her to a breaking point in public. And of course Marceline had seen it.


    “Of course,” Nivera said softly, though inside she berated herself Disappointed. She hated that she hadn’t been able to keep it from Marceline.


    “Good.” Marceline’s tone brightened, though there was an undercurrent of intent beneath it. “Send me your address, my driver wille pick you up. I’ll send you the address, though.”


    28 AU


    15


    When the address came through, Nivera blinked at the unfamiliar street name. This wasn’t a restaurant.


    It was in a quiet neighborhood, not far from the city but tucked away enough to feel like another world.


    About twenty minutester, Marceline’s driver arrived and after giving instructions to Darren that he could leave, she left.


    The house was nothing like the mansion she had expected to see.


    It was smaller, cozier, painted in warm cream tones with ivy climbing up the front, flowerbeds blooming near the walkway.


    It wasn’t grand but the moment Nivera stepped out of the car, she felt the difference–it was lived–in, warm.


    Marceline opened the door herself, dressed simply in a soft blouse and cks, her smile lighting her face. “Come in, darling.”


    Nivera stepped inside, ncing around curiously. The air smelled faintly ofvender, and sunlight spilled through sheer curtains onto polished wooden


    floors.


    “This is… beautiful,” Nivera said honestly, taking in the space. “Do you live here?”


    Marceline’sugh was soft. “No. This is one of the first homes I bought with my own money, instead of my father’s.” She nced around, her smile touched with nostalgia.


    I’ve kept it all these years. It’s smaller than the mansion, but it holds warmth.”


    Unlike those cold mansions filled with memories and ghosts.”


    Nivera didn’t miss the weight in her voice. She nodded quietly. “It feels like a home.”


    “That’s what I always wanted it to be.” Marceline gestured toward the dining table. “Come, let’s eat first. I had lunch prepared.”


    They settled at the modest dining table, where a meal was alreadyid out–simple but hearty.


    Fresh bread, roasted chicken, vegetables in butter – the kind that carriedfort.


    As they ate, Marceline’s eyes softened, watching her with a kind of maternal patience. Finally, she set down her fork.


    “Tell me, Nivera. What happenedst night?”


    Nivera stiffened. “Nothing worth repeating,” she said <i>too </i>quickly.


    “Nothing?” Marceline’s voice was gentle, but persistent. “Darling, I know my son. I know when his temper rises, and I saw the way you looked at him. And I saw the way he looked at you. Alejandro can be quite annoying.”


    “That’s an understatement.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.


    Heat crept into Nivera’s cheeks. She picked at the bread crust, refusing to meet Marceline’s eyes.


    She chuckled, but it was tinged with sadness. “Yes. I know my son well. Too well, sometimes.”


    “He’s impossible. Controlling. He thinks he can decide every breath I take, and 1-” She broke off, realizing she was spilling more than she had intended.


    Marceline reached across the table, covering her hand. “You don’t have to protect him with me. I’ve lived with me and woo…” she exhaled. “That boy is something”