Mariana bent down to pick up the tickets.
Not because she needed them, but because she didn’t want them to stain the immaculate marble.
She carefully placed them on the edge of the bin and said calmly:
“You should keep them. That money… you’re going to need it.”
Alejandro froze for a moment.
There was no trace of resentment in his voice.
There was also no plea.
This calmness… disturbed him more than any reproach.
“Still acting all high and mighty?” Alejandro snarled, turning to Camila. “See? Poor, but full of pride.”
Camila let out a mocking laugh and clung tighter to Alejandro’s arm, looking Mariana up and down with disdain.
At that precise moment, a group of men in black suits entered the hall.
At the head was a man with grey hair, an imposing presence and a respectable gaze, followed by executives and a team of journalists.
The shopping center manager bowed deeply:
“Ms. Mariana, everything is ready. The presentation will begin in three minutes.”
The entire hall fell silent.
Alejandro turned pale.
“Madame Mariana?” Her voice was strangled, as if someone were squeezing her throat.
Mariana nodded slightly.
She placed the cloth on the cleaning cart.
She calmly removed her gloves.
An assistant immediately approached and placed an elegant white blazer over his shoulders.
In a matter of seconds, the “cleaning agent” had disappeared.
Another woman was then standing in front of Alejandro:
Her hair was loose, her posture was straight, her gaze was deep and cold.
The grey-haired man stepped forward and announced in a clear voice:
“It is an honor to introduce you to Ms. Mariana Ortega, founder of the ‘Phoenix of Fire’ brand and principal investor in this exclusive collection launched this evening.”
Alejandro took a step back, completely overwhelmed.
The ruby red dress behind Mariana — the very one he had scorned — bore his name.
Mariana turned to face him.
And he smiled.
But it was no longer the fragile smile of the woman from seven years ago.
“Seven years ago, you said I wasn’t good enough for you.”
“Just a few minutes ago, you said I could never touch that dress.”
She raised her hand. The staff opened the display case.
Mariana gracefully touched the red fabric.
The lights made it seem as if the hall was on fire.
“What a shame…” she murmured. “Because the one who no longer has the right to touch any of this… is you.”
At that moment, Alejandro’s phone began to vibrate incessantly.
Message from his secretary:
