CHAPTER 651. RED PROMISE. The Known and the… UnexpectedThere was a fine line between desperation and guilt that kept Mauro from closing his eyes. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had slept, but he was certain that the last time he had truly rested was in Ainara’s arms.A flood of memories from ten years ago filled his mind—all that had happened, the way he had broken her heart, because now he understood that this was exactly what he had done.He had broken his promise; he had hurt Ainara just like her father had hurt her. And in recent months, he had tried to keep her as a hidden lover, exactly like her mother had been all her life.“If that’s not the dumbest thing ever!” he exclaimed furiously, hitting the steering wheel. But veering slightly off the road forced him to focus again before causing an accident.He arrived in Zurich before noon and only called his father to let him know he was back. After all, his direct involvement in the construction process wasn’t necessary

CHAPTER 653. RED PROMISE. My Heart Is Yours“The man you said yes to.”Mauro’s words brought a sarcastic smile to Ainara’s face, and he understood it in an instant.“You never intended to marry him,” he murmured, recognizing how much her demeanor had changed since the last time he had seen her—enough to lie and survive at all costs.He watched her walk past him to the window, where she gazed outside at the small park where her daughter played.“Lugh has always wanted something. And I always knew I couldn’t get rid of him because of the relationship between our parents,” she replied coldly. “The problem is, I wanted something too—I just needed time to get it. His marriage proposal was… rushed, inconvenient. But I’m smart enough to know that rejecting it could have disastrous consequences for my plans, so I accepted it until I could… do what I’m doing now.”She looked him in the eye for a moment, and Mauro felt a lump in his throat.“You’re running away. You’re escaping,” he realized, h

CHAPTER 655. RED PROMISE. A Terrifying MemoryAinara felt her heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest. She didn’t even have the energy to make a scene over the fact that Mauro had been following her since she left her apartment. He was an idiotic traitor, but that only applied to their romantic history. No matter how much she despised him at times, she knew he was a man of integrity in other ways.Glancing in the rearview mirror, she squinted through the glare of headlights and spotted the black SUV just a few cars behind her.“Mauro… what… What’s going on?” she murmured, her eyes darting to little June, peacefully asleep in the backseat.For a moment, the only response was a muttered curse before Mauro’s voice came through, calm and resolute.“Ainara, listen to me very carefully,” he said, trying to keep his composure. He knew there was a woman in that vehicle, but he couldn’t be sure if anyone else was with her. “I need you to take a right at the next light, okay? Then take two m

CHAPTER 657. RED PROMISE. Hidden EnemiesHe watched as she raised both hands to her head, shaking it in despair. She was beautiful—so beautiful that even in her anguish, she was the most stunning woman Mauro had ever known. Nothing could change that, just as nothing could change the fact that he was hopelessly in love with her. He always had been, and he always would be.He pulled her into a powerful embrace, feeling her start to breathe more evenly, as though his warmth could calm her, even for just a moment.“Tell me what happened, because, to be honest, I don’t understand a damn thing,” she murmured, and Mauro lifted her by the hips with a firm motion, sitting her on the kitchen island.He opened the fridge and pulled out a chilled bottle of wine. After everything they’d just been through, they both needed to catch their breath.“To start with, Mrs. Dorina is absolutely useless when it comes to protecting June. I’m not saying she’s not a good nanny or that she isn’t loving, but she

CHAPTER 659. RED PROMISE. When This Is OverShe was scared, and that was natural. But when Ainara woke up to the silence, it was as if something punched her in the stomach. Morning had to have come long ago—the sunlight was strong—and it was strange that June hadn’t woken up at first light.Heart in her throat, she got out of bed and rushed to Mauro’s room, where she saw the small bed unmade. Relief flooded her when she read the note left on the kitchen island:“We went to get breakfast because Mr. Pompita is hungry. Just follow the path to the end.”She quickly changed into street clothes, threw on a large coat, and stepped outside to find a neat gravel path cutting through the forest ground. Hurrying along, she saw a large, classic property come into view further down the hill—a grand old stone estate with a stately appearance.The path led her to a back entrance of the house, and soon June’s laughter filled her ears.“These are the most delicious cookies in the world, Grandma Andre