Episode 4

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...CHAPTER 4...

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...EMMA RIOS...

Never in my life could I have imagined taking these kinds of photos with someone, let alone a millionaire.

With blinding lights, cameras everywhere, a dress that cost more than my entire college career... and a man beside me who seemed carved by the gods of egocentrism.

"Smile, Emma," he whispered through his teeth without moving his lips. "If you're going to fake it, at least fake it well."

"How's this for fake?" I said between my teeth as well, smiling for the photographers.

"More fake."

"Perfect, I'm already taking inspiration from you."

He let out a slow exhale, as if he were doing yoga to not lose patience with me.

And at that moment, when the photographer shouted, "Now, hug her tighter!" I heard a heartbreaking scream that made everyone turn around.

"WHAT IS THIS, LEONARDO?!"

The sound of heels echoed throughout the studio.

A woman appeared among the flashes, gorgeous, with the kind of beauty you only see in Hollywood actresses.

Blonde hair, red lips, the look of a furious feline.

"Oh, no..." Susan murmured from a corner. "It's her."

I blinked.

"Her who?"

"Bianca Bustamante. His ex-fiancee," she replied without moving her lips. "The one who died... or well, the one everyone thought was dead but was in Europe."

"Died? How did she die?"

"Long story."

And before I could process it, the woman was already in front of us, looking me up and down as if I were mere baggage.

"So this is the new one," she said with a twisted smile. "Replacement number four or five?"

Leonardo's jaw tightened.

"Bianca, not here."

"And why not?" she retorted, raising her voice. "Why don't you tell everyone how you replaced me without even burying me properly?"

The murmur among the attendees was immediate.

Flashes. Whispers. Scandal.

I could only think: Swallow me, earth. But if you're going to swallow me, let it be with dignity and nice shoes.

Leonardo grabbed her arm, firmly.

"Enough of your nonsense."

"Let me go!" she pushed him. "You don't know what you lost, Leo!"

"Susan, cancel the session," Leonardo ordered, his voice colder than the studio's air conditioning. "Emma, stay here."

"Excuse me? What?" I asked, confused.

"Don't move."

And without giving me time to protest, he took Bianca by the arm to an office at the end of the hallway.

Of course, what he didn't know is that my middle name was curiosity with gossip.

So... yes, I followed him.

Silently, I passed among the scattered photographers and approached the half-open door.

It wasn't my fault, okay? I was just doing research so I wouldn't look like the idiotic fiancee who doesn't know what mess she's in.

From inside, Bianca's voice sounded clear:

"So now you're playing the happy marriage game, Leo? What's next, adopting a dog for the photos?"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I do. I know you better than anyone."

"Not anymore."

There was a tense silence. Then, a dull thud against the desk.

"You erased me from your life as if I never existed!" Bianca shouted. "You didn't even go looking for me!"

"Because I thought you were dead, Bianca. After that explosion, you disappeared without saying a word!"

"And you didn't even regret it..."

My heart raced. Dead? Disappeared? Explosion?

What movie is this?

I was about to press my ear better against the door when a voice made me jump.

"Seems like there are too many gossipy people in this place."

I turned so fast I almost fell.

A girl, young, with the same eye color as Leonardo but with a mischievous smile, watched me with a glass of champagne in her hand.

"I... I wasn't... I mean..." I stammered.

"Don't bother, I saw you from the other side of the hallway," she said laughing. "You're my brother's famous fiancee, right?"

"Sister?" I asked, trying to compose myself.

"The only one. Gisela Blake," she held out her hand. "But you can call me Gigi. Everyone does."

"Emma," I replied, shaking her hand. "Emma Rios."

"I know," she smiled, looking me up and down. "Wow, I must admit you have guts."

"For... faking a smile while everyone looks at us like we're an episode of a reality show?"

"For still dating my brother, more like," she laughed. "Believe me, surviving Leonardo Blake is already an extreme sport."

I laughed, although my heart was still in my throat from the scene I had just heard.

"I don't know if dating is the right word..."

"Then rehearsing a fake wedding with a controlling CEO," Gigi raised an eyebrow. "That's new, even for this family."

"Great," I said. "I'm already an anecdote."

She patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry, at least you're an anecdote with good taste in dresses."

We both laughed, and at that moment the office door opened abruptly.

Leonardo came out, his face tense. Bianca behind, furious, with smeared mascara.

"Susan, have her escorted out of the building," he ordered without looking back.

Bianca glared at him.

"This isn't over," she said, before leaving with a slam.

The silence that remained was dense.

Leonardo exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose, and only then did he notice my presence.

"What are you doing here?" he asked with that deep voice he used when he was about to lose patience.

"I... just... came to get water," I lied blatantly.

Gisela, amused, intervened:

"Water, yeah. They just happen to serve it behind the doors where my brother is arguing with his deceased ex."

I nudged her gently.

"Gigi, don't help."

Leonardo looked at her with annoyance.

"Gisela, don't corrupt Emma."

"Oh, relax, Leo, I was just welcoming her to the family," she said with an angelic smile.

And before he could answer, she took my arm and dragged me away from him.

"Come on, future sister-in-law, I'm going to tell you how to survive the Blakes without losing your mind."

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...*Gisela Blake* ...

She is 26 years old. She is a public relations officer and head of the corporate image department at Blake Technologies.

She has a sharp humor, a sharp tongue, and an emotional intelligence that she uses as a diplomatic weapon in business... and as a tool to annoy her older brother.

Unlike Leonardo, Gisela is open, spontaneous, and charismatic. She knows how to manipulate without anyone noticing, and she has a natural ability to read people—especially Emma, whom she identifies as something more than her sister-in-law from day one.

Her way of speaking is direct but charming. She can drop a cruel truth with such a sweet smile that it's hard to get angry with her. She's the kind of woman who can walk into a board meeting dressed in pink and walk out with everyone on her side.

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