The next day, Lucia resumed her role as Diego's driver, pulling up to his apartment at precisely 7:30 a.m. Her heart pounded in her chest, still unsure of what she would uncover each time she saw him.
But nothing could have prepared her for what she was about to witness.
"Morning, Emily," Andre greeted as he handed her the car key, his smile friendly and familiar.
"Morning, Andre," Lucia replied, keeping her voice steady.
"You're right on time," Andre noted, glancing toward Diego as he stepped out of the house, looking as sharp and put together as ever.
Diego walked toward the car, his focus fixed on his phone, while Lucia slipped into the driver's seat. He slid into the backseat without a second glance, still preoccupied with whatever business demanded his attention. Andre opened the gate and waved them off as they pulled away.
"Morning, sir," Lucia greeted as they drove off, her tone neutral and professional.
"Morning," Diego replied, eyes still glued to his screen.
Lucia took a steady breath before speaking again. "I'm Emily, sir. I noticed you had quite a hectic day yesterday, so you didn't ask for my name."
Diego glanced up briefly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "At least I know your name now, Emily," he said, then added, "I trust you'd do a perfect job, though. It's rare to see a woman as a driver."
Lucia smiled beneath her disguise, her heart racing. "I won't disappoint you, sir," she replied confidently. "What would you like me to play for you, sir?"
"R&B would be perfect," Diego said, leaning back and closing his eyes.
Soft R&B melodies filled the car, smooth and calming. Lucia stole a glance at him through the rearview mirror. He looked relaxed, unaware—completely trusting her with his car, and unknowingly, with his heart.
Then, halfway through the drive, Diego's phone rang.
His expression shifted instantly as he answered, his voice dropping into a softer, more intimate tone.
"Hey, babe."
Lucia's heart froze.
She glanced at him through the rearview mirror, her pulse racing. Babe? Was he calling her—or someone else?
"Yeah, I'll see you later tonight," Diego continued, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Can't wait to spend some time with you."
Lucia's hands tightened around the steering wheel. The words felt like daggers, each one piercing deeper. Her chest constricted, heat rising behind her eyes.
Who was he talking to?
He ended the call and resumed scrolling, oblivious to the storm raging inside her.
Lucia kept driving, forcing her breathing to steady. She had started this game to test his loyalty. But now, faced with the possibility of betrayal, she wasn't sure she was ready for the truth.
When they reached his office, she parked the car, her heart heavy.
Diego stepped out, offering her a brief, distracted nod before disappearing inside.
Lucia remained in the driver's seat, staring after him.
Was everything just a façade?
If he was seeing someone else, how could he claim to miss her so much?
The answers she had come searching for were beginning to form—but they hurt more than she had imagined.
Lucia sat frozen, hands still gripping the steering wheel even though the engine was off. Her thoughts spiraled—disbelief, anger, heartbreak—all colliding inside her.
Who was he seeing?
Was it someone new?
Or had he been hiding this all along?
"Babe… Can't wait to spend some time with you tonight."
The words echoed in her mind like a cruel soundtrack.
She had prepared herself for this possibility. She had told herself she was strong enough.
She wasn't.
Her phone buzzed.
Ivy.
Lucia inhaled sharply before answering. "Hey."
"Lucia, how's it going? Any updates?" Ivy asked lightly.
Lucia swallowed. "I overheard him talking to someone. He called her babe. He's meeting her tonight."
Silence.
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes," Lucia whispered. "I don't know who she is, but it's happening."
"Damn, Lucia. I don't know what to say," Ivy sighed. "I told you this might backfire, but I didn't think he'd… you know."
"I know," Lucia muttered, anger simmering beneath her words. "I thought… I thought he loved me, Ivy."
"He might still love you, but it sounds like he's playing both sides," Ivy said carefully. "What are you going to do now?"
Lucia leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. What was she going to do?
"I don't know," she admitted. "I need to figure out what's going on. I need more proof… I can't just confront him without knowing the full truth."
"Be careful, Lucia. This could get messy."
"I know," she whispered. "But I need to see this through. I need to know."
They ended the call.
Lucia stared ahead at nothing.
She had come too far to turn back now.
That same night, after work, Lucia returned to her hotel room, exhaustion clinging to her like a second skin. She shut the door softly behind her and leaned against it for a moment, gathering courage.
Then she dialed Diego.
Each ring felt like a countdown.
"Hey, babe," she said, forcing brightness into her voice.
"Hey, my love, how are you?" Diego replied warmly—but there was something else beneath it. Distraction. Distance.
"I'm good! Just finished up some work," she said. "What about you? How was your day?"
"It was alright," he responded, hesitation slipping through his words. "Just the usual grind, you know?"
Her stomach twisted.
"Any plans for tonight?" she asked casually, though her pulse thundered in her ears.
"Actually, I've got a few things to take care of," he said quickly. Too quickly. "I'll probably be busy for most of the evening."
Her heart sank.
"Oh, really?" she said lightly. "I was hoping we could talk all night."
"Yeah, I wish I could, but something came up. Let's make it tomorrow night, honey."
"Sure," she replied. "Just text me when you're free."
"Will do! Talk later, babe."
The line went dead.
The silence in the room was deafening.
Lucia stared at her phone, Diego's tone replaying in her mind. It wasn't just what he said—it was how he said it. The rush. The dismissal. The slight shift in warmth.
Was he really busy?
Or was he with her?
Her chest tightened.
She tossed her phone onto the bed and began pacing the small room. The walls felt like they were closing in. The night ahead felt heavier than the day.
Her phone buzzed again.
Ivy.
"Hey, any updates?"
"I just spoke to him," Lucia said tightly. "He says he's busy tonight."
"What kind of plans?"
"He didn't say. Just that he's busy. But something felt wrong. His voice… the way he rushed off the phone… I don't believe him."
Ivy sighed. "So, what are you going to do?"
Lucia stopped pacing. Her jaw clenched.
"I need to find out who he's with. I can't just sit here and let this go. I have to know."
"Lucia, wait," Ivy warned. "Be careful."
"I know, but I'm already in too deep. I'm going to follow him. I need to see for myself."
"Lucia, stop. Listen to me. Don't act impulsively."
But Lucia was already drifting into her own thoughts.
"Lucia, are you still there?"
Silence.
"Alright. I'll talk to you later. Try to get some sleep. Think this through."
The call ended.
Lucia stood still, staring out the hotel window into the night.
The city lights flickered below like secrets waiting to be exposed.
And for the first time, the game she had started no longer felt like control.
It felt like war.