CHAPTER 27: ANTONELLA'S RESPONSE

Saval felt the atmosphere shift, like a storm about to break. Antonella's smile—sharp and sinister—was still there, but he could see the tension in her eyes. She knew she was trapped. She knew she could no longer deny the truth.

Semiel and Santiago watched her cautiously. They didn't move, as if any wrong step could trigger something worse. And Saval, for his part, felt his heart pounding. His mind was still struggling to process everything he had read, heard, and seen. The truth hurt. Everything Antonella had told him, all those experiences… it had all been a lie. And yet, despite everything, there was still that pang of nostalgia for the years he had believed in her.

Antonella let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes.

—Do you really think this ends here? —she scoffed—. That a few pieces of evidence are enough to bring me down? How naïve.

Santiago stepped forward. His body showed the exhaustion from the run he had to make to get there. But despite the fatigue, his voice was steady.

—You can't hide it anymore, Antonella. Not this time.

She let out a low, cold laugh, crossing her arms.

—And what do you plan to do? Tell everyone? Please, think for a second. People see what they want to see. Who do you think they'll believe? Me, someone who's always been charming and charismatic, or you two, who both have… interesting pasts?

Semiel narrowed his eyes.

—You have no way out.

—Do you really think so? —her voice turned sweet, but her eyes glinted with something darker—. Semiel, darling, if anyone here has no way out, it's you. And let's not even start with you… Santiago.

The air in the park grew thick with tension. Santiago clenched his jaw, feeling his blood turn to ice. No. This couldn't be happening.

—Oh, I see you understand what I'm saying —Antonella continued, her voice laced with perverse amusement—. Do you remember what you did? Did you really think I destroyed the evidence? Because I didn't. And trust me, if this all comes to light, I can make sure your secret does too. What do you think will happen then?

Cold sweat ran down Santiago's back. No. She couldn't know. She couldn't…

—I saw you destroy them myself! We had a deal! —he snapped, his voice sharp, but inside, his stomach twisted.

—Are you sure? Did you really think I'd get rid of the evidence just to make you feel safe? The only reason I stopped using you and let you believe that lie was because… well, you weren't a fun toy anymore. But now, you've bitten the hand that fed you, Santiago. You, more than anyone, will pay for this.

Semiel frowned.

—You can't win forever, Antonella.

—Maybe not. But if I fall, I won't fall alone —she said, utterly indifferent.

A suffocating silence followed. Santiago felt his hands tremble, and for a brief moment, he hesitated. What if she really still had the proof? What if all of this turned against him? He knew Antonella was capable of anything. He knew she had no limits. Worst of all… she was right. People believed what they wanted to believe. What if no one listened to them? What if they were accused of making everything up just to hurt her?

Saval, on the other hand, simply looked at her. Not with anger. Not with hatred. It was something else… something no one expected. A deep sadness.

—Antonella… —he whispered.

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

—Yes, honey?

Saval closed his eyes for a second and let out a shaky sigh. When he opened them again, his expression was calm.

—Thank you.

Antonella blinked, confused.

—Thank you? —she repeated, frowning.

—Thank you for the years you gave me affection, for all the dreams I had because of you. Because even though I now know they were lies, at the time, they meant everything to me. I know this might sound strange, but… those moments were the happiest of my life. So yes, thank you.

Antonella's chest rose and fell with uneven breaths. She looked like she was about to say something, but he didn't let her.

—But I don't want you in my life anymore! —Saval continued, his voice firm, surprising everyone, even himself—. I can't. Not after all this. Not after knowing what you're capable of.

Antonella's smile vanished completely. For the first time, she looked genuinely taken aback. She looked… vulnerable.

—Are you… breaking up with me? —she asked quietly, almost as if she couldn't believe it.

Saval nodded.

—Yes. I forgive you, but I don't want to see you again.

The silence that followed was overwhelming. Antonella stared at him as if she couldn't comprehend his words. Then, something in her expression shifted. Something broke inside her, but not in a way that suggested regret or guilt. No. It was anger. Pure, burning anger toward Saval.

Suddenly, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

—How… how dare you? You were just someone I played with, and now you're the one leaving me?

She let out a bitter laugh and shook her head.

—Do you think saying you forgive me makes everything disappear? Do you think this ends here?

Saval simply looked at her as the sting on his cheek lingered.

Santiago felt a chill run down his spine. He knew Antonella wouldn't let this go so easily.

—This isn't over —Antonella whispered, her eyes dark with fury—. You'll pay for this, Saval. And don't get too comfortable, Semiel. In the end, you'll be the one who suffers the most.

Semiel swallowed hard but didn't look away. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing him afraid.

Antonella turned on her heels and started walking away. But before disappearing down the park's stone path, she gave one last warning:

—Don't let your guard down… We'll see each other again soon.

The silence she left behind was deafening. Semiel exhaled, feeling his heart still racing. Santiago ran a hand through his hair, feeling the sweat sticking to his skin. And Saval… Saval looked at the ground, feeling a strange mix of relief and emptiness inside him as he touched the cheek that still burned from Antonella's slap.

I hope this is the end, Anto. Thank you and goodbye.

He had done it.

He had let Antonella go.