The Escape of the Adorable Liar

The club's hall gleamed with the opulence of a night destined to be unforgettable. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting golden reflections over tables draped in white linen and adorned with fresh floral centerpieces. The sound of an orchestra filled the air as guests, dressed in elegant attire, exchanged laughter and glasses of champagne.

Lucía looked radiant. Her deep red dress, cinched at the waist, accentuated her elegant figure, and her eyes sparkled as much as the jewels she wore. Mateo, by her side, wore a flawless tuxedo and carried that charming smile that many had noticed since his arrival into Lucía's family's social circle.

When her father took the microphone, the lively chatter in the hall faded in seconds. All eyes turned to him as he raised his glass with pride.

"Dear friends," he began, "tonight is more than just a celebration. It is a special moment for my family because I have the honor of announcing my daughter Lucía's engagement to the man who has won not only her heart but also mine. A toast to Lucía and Mateo!"

The applause was deafening. Blushing and emotional, Lucía turned to Mateo, who took her hand with a serene smile.

As Lucía's father continued praising his daughter and admiring Mateo, the latter felt his throat tighten, his mind beginning to drift. He couldn't stop the man's words from transporting him back to the moment he first met Lucía.

It had been in Central Park, in a quiet corner where he had tried to hide from the chaos of his life. Mateo remembered that afternoon vividly: the crunch of leaves under Lucía's steps, her soft voice asking if he was okay, and those clear eyes that seemed to see right through him. It was the first time in weeks that someone had looked at him with genuine interest and empathy, without judgment or intrusive questions.

He had told her everything-from his breakup with Clara to Dana's pregnancy. And though he had felt vulnerable at that moment, Lucía's response surprised him. She hadn't judged him. Instead, she had listened and, in a way, had offered him hope he hadn't even realized he needed. It was her understanding, her willingness to see beyond his mistakes, that had made him cling to her from the very beginning.

Now, standing next to Lucía at this grand gala, with everyone celebrating their engagement, Mateo couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped between the man she believed he was and the reality he struggled so hard to hide.

In a discreet corner of the hall, two women watched him. Dana and Clara exchanged looks of disbelief. They knew the man standing there, smiling and applauded, was not the hero everyone thought he was. He was the father of the children both carried in their wombs-a secret none of the guests knew.

Dana ran a hand over her abdomen while Clara tried to hide behind a column. At six months pregnant, her growing belly made movement increasingly difficult, but she didn't care. She seized a moment when the guests were engrossed in the toast to take out her phone and record a video of Mateo. She also snapped several photos, ensuring she captured his smiling expression as he held Lucía's hand.

"I feel like shouting the truth for everyone to hear," Clara muttered through clenched teeth, her voice trembling with restrained anger. "They should know who he really is."