"Right on time," she said as she walked over and opened the door. Dolores stood there with a tray, carrying a plate of cochinita pibil and a stack of tortillas.

"Thanks!" Carolina replied, clearly pleased.

She began eating, and as she did, she noticed a folded note resting on the tray. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it.

"Check the wardrobe. There's a box inside. Wear what's in it. When it's eight, go to my room. Once you're inside, cover your eyes and wait for me on the bed."

The message was from Maximo.

Her fingers traced over the writing for a moment. The strokes were neat and refined.

Without wasting time, she stood and went to find the box.

When the clock finally struck eight that evening, Carolina stepped out of her room and glanced around the hallway. She had on a black robe, and beneath it, a silk nightgown of the same color. Seeing no one nearby, she quickly made her way to the room at the end of the hall and slipped inside.

She had once imagined her wedding night dress would be white. Among her belongings, Nadia had left a carefully chosen one. It wasn't out of kindness. It was meant as a quiet jab at her situation. Still, she couldn't deny that what Maximo had prepared for her looked far better. It suited her, both elegant and striking.

The room was pitch black. She reached out, feeling along the wall for a switch, but her fingers found nothing.

With no light to guide her, she moved forward slowly, her hands stretched out in front of her. He had told her to wait on the bed.

She settled in place. After some time, faint sounds came from outside the room. The hallway remained dark, and she still couldn't see him.

"Of course, he doesn't want me to see him," she pondered. Remembering the instructions, she quickly put on the blindfold.

Her nerves tightened even more, every small sound around her becoming sharper.

Cloth shifted softly, and then the mattress dipped under his weight as his presence closed in. She was already lying down.

"I-I... I've never..." she stammered, her voice unsteady. Carolina had always wanted her first time to be with someone she loved. That part hadn't gone the way she imagined.

At once, Maximo stopped. He had only ever seen her through cameras, and even then, he found her beautiful. Still, he had no intention of letting her see him. The thought alone unsettled him. If she did, there was a chance everything would fall apart.

His plan had been simple. Get through this quickly, and if luck was on his side, she would become pregnant right away. It wasn't that he felt nothing for her, but the way things were happening felt off for both of them. Now that he realized she had no experience, he had to steady himself. This wouldn't be as quick as he thought.

"Alright," he replied quietly, his voice low. His hand moved to her leg, and she flinched at the contact. "Relax. I'll be careful."

She gave a small nod.

True to his word, he moved slowly, letting his actions guide her instead of rushing. When she tried to reach for him, he caught her wrists.

"No. Don't touch me. Keep your hands where they are. I'll handle everything."

"But..."

"Carolina!"

There was weight in his voice, though it didn't sound harsh.

Letting out a quiet breath, she gave in and nodded again, unsure if he could even see her.

Every touch made her tense, her nerves stretched thin. He avoided her lips entirely, yet from her neck downward, his warmth lingered everywhere, leaving no part untouched.

Morning came quietly. When Carolina opened her eyes, she was alone again, back in her own room.

She pushed herself up slowly, a dull ache running through her body. Even though he had tried to be careful, there had been moments when his restraint slipped, and afterward, he had apologized.

Staring up at the ceiling, a small smile appeared on her lips. The memory of the night returned, and a faint blush crept across her face. It had hurt, but it hadn't been unpleasant.

As she got out of bed, something on the nightstand caught her attention. A small box sat there, shaped like it held jewelry. Next to it lay a note.

"The night was wonderful. Consider this your payment."

The softness in her expression disappeared. Her face tightened. Without hesitation, she changed, freshened up, grabbed the box, and walked out, anger burning through her as she ignored the lingering discomfort.

While she had been asleep, Maximo had already looked into her background. He searched her name and uncovered everything about her mother, along with the rumors that followed her. People said she was no different. That only made him more irritated. Paying her had been his decision. At the very least, it meant she wouldn't involve herself with anyone else.

He didn't expect love. He wasn't offering any either. That wasn't something he would accept.

His phone rang just then. It was his father.

"How's married life treating you, my son?" Cesar Castillo asked, his tone filled with expectation.

Maximo shifted in his seat and let out a low laugh.

"That's not bad. If everything goes the way it should, we'll know soon enough if Carolina's pregnant."

"Carolina?" Cesar asked, his voice filled with confusion.

"Dad, I'm talking about my wife. Her name is Carolina. Don't you remember?" Maximo asked impatiently.

"Oh..." Cesar let out a quiet breath. He didn't respond right away. "Well, I hope it turns out the way we want. Your grandmother will be thrilled if it does."

This marriage had been arranged for Eloisa, the woman everyone in town called a beauty, to become Maximo Castillo's wife. Even so, anyone could tell she would never agree to it. She wouldn't marry a man she had never met, especially not someone people whispered about as being covered in scars.

After the call ended, Cesar lowered the phone and let out a long breath. He should've seen this coming, yet it still left him irritated.

In the living room, Dolores adjusted one of the pillows.

"Good morning, Dolores. Do you know where my husband is?" Carolina asked. She kept her tone polite, since none of this involved the older woman.

Dolores lifted her head at once. Her eyes widened as she looked at her employer.

"Oh, good morning. He's in the office—" Before she could finish, Carolina had already started walking in that direction.

"Ma'am, please don't go!" Dolores called out as she hurried after her.

"I need to speak with him," Carolina said, and she didn't slow down.

"Ma'am, he won't react well to this..."

"I don't care how he feels. He treated me like that, so he's going to listen to what I have to say."

After that, Dolores gave a small nod and stayed where she was.

"Just... knock before you go in."

Carolina gave a brief nod in return.

When she reached his door, she struck it with a firm knock.

"Who's there?" Maximo called from inside. Hearing his voice only made her anger rise.

"It's me," she answered sharply. "Carolina."

"Leave."

The single word made her freeze, her lips parting in disbelief.

"He actually said that?"

She grabbed the handle and tried to push the door open, but it didn't budge.

"Maximo Castillo!" She slammed her fist against the door again.

"I told you to leave!" he shouted from the other side.

"Then open this door right now!"

He stayed silent, but not long after, two men walked into the mansion and headed straight for her.

"Ma'am, the boss wants you to move away from his office door."

The taller one had a hat on, and his tone remained calm.

"I'm not going anywhere until he talks to me," Carolina replied. She kept her voice steady as she faced him, then turned back toward the door. "So he's bold enough to sleep with me and leave me a note, but suddenly he can't face me now?"

Both men froze. Their eyes widened as they glanced at each other, clearly not used to hearing anyone speak about their boss like that.

A sound came from inside the office. The lock shifted, and the key turned. Right in front of her, the doorknob began to move.

Before Carolina could react, he had already pulled her inside the office. He turned her toward the door, leaving her facing it. She caught sight of Maximo's scarred hand, yet her attention slipped away from it the moment she felt him right behind her, his breath brushing against her hair.

Confusion took hold of her thoughts, but the fear that rose in her chest didn't stay for long. Something else followed it, something she couldn't quite name.

"What did you just say?" he asked, his voice low near her ear.

His hand settled on her waist as he pulled her closer. His leg moved between hers, and his body pressed firmly against her back.

"You... you think of me as a prostitute! Are you even a man?" she exclaimed, struggling to steady her voice as she spoke. His nearness made her head spin.

What she didn't realize was that he wasn't unaffected either.

Maximo couldn't remember the last time being close to a woman had stirred him this way. They hadn't kissed, and she hadn't touched him, yet the memory of having her beside him lingered. After leaving her room that night, he had returned to his own, unable to stop replaying every moment. He wanted more, yet he held himself back. He wouldn't risk going to her again and being seen.

Now, with her trapped between him and the wall, it took everything he had not to turn her around and claim her lips. His restraint was thinning. Her words about him not being a man only made it worse.

"So you married for money, didn't you? People who marry share a bed. And if that's done for money, then what else would that make you?"

"Now tell me," he added, his voice tightening, "how do you dare say I'm not a man?"

His grip on her waist tightened, and he pushed forward slightly.

A soft sound slipped from her, and it caught him off guard.

"I'm not... a prostitute!" she shouted, anger rising in her voice, though her reaction betrayed something else as well.

"You really think I'm not a man?" he asked. He shifted again, making his presence unmistakable against her. "Do you want me to prove it?"

She had no idea what came over her in that moment, yet the words still left her lips.

"Yes! Then show me."

For a brief moment, Maximo didn't react. Then a faint, knowing smile formed on his lips. The light fabric of her summer dress didn't offer much resistance as his hand moved slowly along her thigh, and a soft breath escaped her in response.

After loosening his own clothing, he drew her forward, though the difference in their height made him pause.

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"I said close them," he replied, his tone firm. She gave a small nod and did as he asked. Darkness surrounded her, and she felt him shift her position. His breath brushed against her face, close enough to make her pulse quicken. The box slipped from her hands, but when she tried to reach for him, he stopped her. "No."

"At least let me hold onto you. You're still wearing a shirt, right?" she insisted, her voice uneven.

After a short pause, he gave in. "Fine." She lifted her hands and rested them on his arms, steadying herself. His gaze lingered on her lips before he leaned in and pressed his mouth against hers.

The moment stretched as she responded, parting her lips as he deepened the kiss. Her thoughts blurred, and she followed his lead without question. He guided her across the room until she felt herself lifted, then placed onto the surface behind her.

The feeling overwhelmed her, and without thinking, her hand moved upward, reaching for his hair.

The sudden touch made him pull back slightly, though only for a second. When he noticed she didn't react to the spot his hand brushed against near her temple, he allowed her to keep that contact and nowhere else.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his voice low as his lips brushed against her.

"It doesn't," she replied, though the answer wasn't true.

The two men standing outside hesitated when they heard something hit the floor. For a moment, they considered stepping in.

Then Carolina's voice carried through the door, and they froze.

"I think—"

"Let's just go," the shorter one cut in. "They've already worked things out." Without another word, they turned and left.

Not far from them, Dolores lingered nearby. A small smile appeared on her face when she heard Carolina. Relief settled in her chest. She had hoped things would turn out well for both of them, and from what she had seen, Carolina seemed like a decent person. With that thought, she quietly walked away, feeling at ease.

Inside, their breathing hadn't steadied yet. Maximo slipped a hand behind her head and drew her closer, guiding her to rest against him. Her cheek pressed to his chest, and even through the fabric of his shirt, she could feel the warmth of his body. His heartbeat reached her ears, steady and strong.

"I can't believe this happened again," she pondered, her lips pressed together as her eyes stayed shut.

Time had passed since Maximo had been this close to a woman. He couldn't tell if that was the reason or if Carolina truly affected him in a different way. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel lacking. She had responded to him. She hadn't pulled away.

"She's good at pretending." A bitter thought slipped into his mind.

"Keep your eyes closed," he said, his tone steady. "I'll walk you to the door." Her brows pulled together slightly at his words.

"I don't want to keep them closed. I want to see you."

"No," he answered, his tone sharp and final.

"But... we've already crossed that line," she said, her voice tight as she kept her eyes shut. "We're married."

"No. The only reason you're even willing to touch me is because you haven't seen my face."

"That's not true!"

"Then what is it? Are you that good at pretending that even a face like mine doesn't matter to you?" he asked, his voice edged with bitterness. The meaning behind his words hit her all at once.

Without opening her eyes, she pushed him away and slid off the table. Her footing faltered for a second as she tried to steady herself.

"You're unbelievable!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking as she held back tears. "I gave you my first time, and that's what you think of me?"

"That's something surgery could fix," he replied flatly.

Anger surged through her, and she took a few steps forward before finally opening her eyes to see where she was going. The jewelry box lay on the floor, thrown open from the fall, with a diamond necklace glinting inside. Without hesitation, she kicked it aside, pulled the door open, and stormed out.

Maximo watched her leave and let out a quiet breath as he shook his head.

"If she thinks she can fool me, she's wrong," he pondered, irritation settling in.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Cesar stood seething.

"What's wrong, my son?" Yolanda asked, leaning against the doorway as she watched him.

"The one who married Maximo... it wasn't Eloisa," he remarked, his voice tight as he rose to his feet.

His mother stepped into the study, her expression sharpening as she took in his mood.

"Show me that girl," she insisted, her voice firm.

Cesar pulled up a photo of the Navarro family on his computer and opened it without delay. Yolanda leaned closer, then lifted her hand and pointed at the dark-haired girl with honey-brown eyes.

"Is this the one?" she asked.

He gave a short nod in response.

"She's quite beautiful."

Cesar let out a quiet scoff and gestured toward the blonde beside her. "She still doesn't compare to her sister, Eloisa."

Yolanda studied both of them in silence for a moment.

"I don't see it that way," she replied at last. "Carolina stands out more to me. There's something softer about her. This Eloisa... she looks full of herself. Just look at that expression."

Eloisa's beauty was something people often talked about, but her attitude had always been difficult. She had been spoiled for too long, and it showed. Even so, Cesar knew she drew attention wherever she went. Many men pursued her, and that alone raised her worth in his eyes. He wanted someone exceptional for his son. He also wanted the future mother of the Castillo heirs to be someone admired.

"But, Mother..."

"Calm yourself, César. Think about it differently. If this girl isn't surrounded by suitors, then she's likely more grounded. That's exactly the kind of person our boy needs. And don't forget, this Eloisa already turned him down without even meeting him."

He paused, then slowly nodded.

"Alright... fine," he responded. "I won't bring it up with the Navarros. At least not for now."

Yolanda smiled faintly, her eyes returning to Carolina's image. Something about the girl left her certain. She felt that Carolina would be the right match for Maximo.

Later that day, back at the estate, Carolina stayed locked inside her room and refused to join them for lunch. When dinner came, she turned that down as well. Not long after, the door to her room swung open.

Startled, she flinched and tightened her hold on the pillow resting on her lap, the book she had been reading slipping slightly.

"What now?" she asked, irritation rising in her voice. "And what is this supposed to be?"

She looked toward the doorway. No one stood there.

"Get downstairs. Now." Even without seeing him, she recognized his voice right away. The way he said it made it even clearer.

"I'm not going," she replied, her tone steady as she leaned back again and kept reading.

"Carolina, are you planning to make me drag you all the way to the dining room?"

"That's not something I'd enjoy. And since we're talking about what I want, you should leave me alone."

"What did you just say?" he asked, caught off guard by her response.

A quiet sense of satisfaction settled in her chest. If he really wanted to drag her, then he'd have no choice but to let her see him. Besides, after everything he had said earlier, she didn't mind pushing back.

"Is this because I haven't paid you yet?" he asked. The question made her hands tighten as anger surged through her.

"Get out!"

"This is my house."

"And it's mine too. I'm your wife, aren't I?" she replied without hesitation.

A faint smile appeared on her lips as she took his silence as a win.

Turning her back to the door, she settled in again and focused on her book.

Maximo stepped inside anyway. The sight that greeted him made him pause. She lay stretched out on the bed, her posture relaxed, her nightgown short enough to reveal the length of her legs and the curve of her figure. He swallowed and moved closer without thinking.

"What else should I expect from someone like her? She must've had it easy getting attention before. But now... she belongs to me."

A strange sensation crept over Carolina, and she stiffened. Something felt off. Her eyes shifted toward the wall, and there it was. A shadow that hadn't been there before.

Without thinking, she turned around. Standing behind her was a tall man. His light hair caught the faint glow in the room, and his skin held a slight tan, proof that he didn't stay locked inside the mansion. He wore dark jeans, a belt with a wide buckle, and a light green shirt with the sleeves pushed up. His build didn't go unnoticed, especially the strength in his arms. One of them carried visible scars.

But none of that held her attention for long. Her gaze stopped at his face.

Half of it was hidden beneath a mask, the same side marked by scars that stretched along his arm and neck. The other half remained uncovered. That side showed sharp features. His lips were full, his nose defined though partly concealed, and his brows were thick despite their light color. Then there were his eyes. A striking shade of green, bright like emeralds. Yet what filled them wasn't warmth. It was anger. It was contempt.

"Satisfied now?" he said, his voice tight as his jaw clenched. Only then did Carolina realize what she was doing. He had already warned her not to stare.

"No," she answered without hesitation. Her eyes didn't leave him. Instead, they moved slowly over him before returning to his face.

A cold smile touched his lips. "For someone who claims innocence, you've got a lot of nerve." His gaze traveled over her in return, deliberate and heated, as if testing how far she would go.

"I'm not a virgin," she said, meeting his eyes without backing down. "I got married. I spent a wedding night. And earlier, we crossed that line again in your office. Too bad the man I married turned out to be a crude, thoughtless idiot."

The space between them disappeared as he stepped closer. Carolina caught his scent then. Something deep and warm, something that lingered.

"I told you not to look at me like that," he responded, his voice dropping into something far more dangerous.

"I can see just fine."

"Good for you," she retorted right away, brushing off the warning in his voice. "Or what? What are you going to do about it? Are you planning to blind me? Rip my eyes out? Honestly, I wouldn't put it past you."

"I'm not some kind of monster. You're only saying that because of how I look, aren't you?"

"What's wrong with you?" she said, disbelief crossing her face. Has he lost his mind too?

A warning stirred deep inside her, urging her to stop. What if he reacted like her father? What if he raised his hand against her? They were alone out here, far from anyone who could help. Maximo towered over her, far stronger than Gaspar ever was. If he struck her, she wouldn't stand a chance.

He inhaled sharply, then moved without hesitation. In one swift motion, he lifted her and set her down on the bed. Her knees hit the mattress as he leaned in, closing the distance between them.

"That hurts!" she exclaimed, trying to pull away.

His eyes flicked downward, catching sight of her blouse, the thin fabric barely covering her. For a moment, he froze. Then he stepped back, walked to the door, and shut it with force before turning toward her again. Her throat tightened.

His hands moved to his belt, and she understood what he intended. A part of her responded, but she forced herself to stay grounded this time.

"Not this time," she muttered to herself.

"Sorry, Mr. Castillo. That 'prostitute' you keep talking about? She's not available tonight," she said, her voice turning cold. The reaction in his eyes was immediate.

"Now leave," she added, pointing toward the door, her anger no longer hidden.

He didn't move. Instead, he stared at her, caught between disbelief and rising anger. Was she really turning him away from her own room?

"I want you," he said, closing the distance between them. The thought crossed his mind that he was starting to crave her more than he should.

"We're married. This is what married couples do. This was supposed to be our honeymoon. And if I want a child—"

"That's unfortunate," she cut in, her tone sharp. "Because I'm not available tonight. Now get out."

To him, her anger didn't land the way she intended. She looked like a small creature trying to defend itself, all claws and defiance, yet still impossible to take seriously.

Tears gathered in her eyes, though they came from frustration rather than sadness. The way he spoke to her only made it worse.

The urge to pull her in and claim her lips rose again, stronger than before. He couldn't shake the thought that if he kissed her the same way he had earlier, she might respond just as intensely and give in. He stepped closer. Anger flashed across her face, and without hesitation, Carolina grabbed a pillow and hurled it straight at him.

The impact didn't bother him. He caught it with ease, then let out a low laugh as he dropped it aside.

"A pillow? That's not much of a defense. Feels more like you're asking me to stay."

Her eyes scanned the room, searching for something else. This time, she picked up a book and threw it at him without holding back. A sharp thought crossed his mind. Even something small can fight back harder than expected.

He didn't move out of the way. The book struck the edge of his mask, and a faint sensation spread across his scalp.

Carolina froze, staring at him in shock. She had been certain he would avoid it.