A Heart No Longer Waiting

The process was swift. Once it was done, Yara took a cab back to the house.

Not long after, Mateo showed up, a box of cheese tarts in hand, his face full of apology.

"Yara, you'll be my wife soon. That means Helen will be family too, so of course I'll take extra care of her. Don't misunderstand—I've chased after you for so many years. You should know you're the only one in my heart."

Yara didn't know how he could lie so effortlessly.

That bakery was in South Belgrave, halfway across the city. Their cheese tarts were famous—so popular that people waited in line for hours just to get a box.

And Mateo had gone through all that trouble.

Not for her.

For Helen.

Yara was exhausted. She didn't have the energy to play along anymore.

Shaking her head, she turned down his attempt at reconciliation for the first time. "I'm not feeling well. I'm going to rest."

Without waiting for his reaction, she headed straight to her room.

Mateo hesitated. She was obviously upset, but he didn't think much of it. He figured she was still sulking about him leaving for Helen earlier.

So, to make it up to her, he cleared his schedule and took her out—candlelit dinner, luxury shopping, and finally, a movie.

They had just settled into their seats when a group of girls walked in.

Right at the center was Helen.

Mateo's expression didn't change, but Yara noticed how distracted he got.

His gaze kept drifting toward Helen.

By the time the movie was halfway through, Yara was sure he hadn't absorbed a single scene.

She suddenly called his name.

Mateo blinked, snapping out of his daze. "What is it, Yara?"

"I'm not feeling well. Let's go."

Her voice was calm, like she truly just wanted to leave.

Mateo hesitated, sneaking one last glance at Helen. But in the end, he got up and left with Yara.

Just as they stepped into the lobby—chaos erupted.

Panicked voices. A stampede toward the exits.

"Fire! The theater's on fire!"

Mateo froze. His face went pale.

Then, all at once, he turned, ready to charge back inside—only to see Helen's group rushing out.

He immediately blocked their path, panic bleeding into his voice. "Where's Helen?!"

The girls exchanged uneasy glances, their faces draining of color as realization sank in. One of them stammered,

"H-Helen... I don't think she made it out yet..."

Mateo's breath hitched. Fury ignited in his eyes, scorching away all reason. "I told you to take care of her!"

Without another word, he spun around and sprinted toward the burning theater.

He hadn't made it far before his driver intercepted him. "Mr. Lopez, the fire's too intense! The rescue team is on their way—"

"Get out of my way!" Mateo snarled, shoving past him.

Ignoring the screams, the warnings, the hands reaching to stop him—

He ran straight into the flames.