The Escape of the Adorable Liar

gh ceiling, casting golden reflections over tables draped in white linen and adorned with fresh floral centerpieces. Th

her eyes sparkled as much as the jewels she wore. Mateo, by her side, wore a flawless tuxedo and car

chatter in the hall faded in seconds. All eyes

ment for my family because I have the honor of announcing my daughter Lucía's engageme

and emotional, Lucía turned to Mateo,

tter felt his throat tighten, his mind beginning to drift. He couldn't stop

ly: 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 h

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 h

heir engagement, Mateo couldn't shake the feeling that he was trapped betwe

ef. They knew the man standing there, smiling and applauded, was not the hero everyone thought he

increasingly difficult, but she didn't care. She seized a moment when the guests were engrossed in the toast to take out her phone

ara muttered through clenched teeth, her voice trembling

ere filled with resentment. Both of them knew that the man who had changed

owing weight in his chest. For a moment, he wished he could return to that park bench, where everything

ugh the guests, heading for the exit. Clara, with her six-month belly, tried not to draw attention, but her unsteady gait and the tension o

raced as he rubbed his eyes, as if hoping they were just an ill

pped out of the hall with quick, tense steps. He reached the men's restroom, shut

d his face several times, hoping the chill would help him recover from the shoc

be happening

mething that posed no threat to their relationship. But he had left out the other part of the s

. If Lucía found out the truth-if she discovered that he had lied to her-everything th

He couldn't let anyone suspect that something was wrong. With steady steps, th

by guests offering their congratulations. Mateo swallowed

cate house of cards he had buil