Chapter 36

Margaret spent the night tossing and turning. Lorenzo's words echoed in her mind, each one loaded with an intensity she didn't know how to handle. She knew him too well, even as "Margaret," to not notice the sincerity in his voice. But this Lorenzo, the one who confessed feelings, wasn't the same man who had left her alone years ago.

When morning finally came, Margaret got up, determined to distract herself with work. Mateo played quietly in the living room while she reviewed some sketches on her computer. But no matter how hard she tried, Lorenzo remained stuck in her thoughts.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her reverie. She glanced at it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Lorenzo's name on the screen. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

-Good morning, Lorenzo.

-Good morning, Margaret. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

-Not at all. How can I help you?

-I'd like to meet with you today. There's something important I need to discuss regarding our collaboration.

Margaret took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure.

-Is it urgent? I have some things to handle this morning.

-It's important, but I can adjust to your schedule.

-Fine. Let's meet after lunch. How about the usual café?

-Perfect. See you there.

As the call ended, Margaret let out a heavy sigh. She knew this meeting wouldn't be easy, especially after his confession the night before.

\---

The café was quiet when Margaret arrived. Lorenzo was already there, sitting by the window with a cup in his hand. He stood as she entered, giving her a smile that, for a moment, reminded her of the man she once fell in love with.

-Thanks for coming -he said, motioning to the chair across from him.

-No problem. What's so important? -she asked, getting straight to the point.

Lorenzo placed his cup on the table and looked at her intently.

-Margaret, I know I surprised you last night with what I said. It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable.

Margaret crossed her arms, her heart beginning to race.

-Lorenzo, if this is about...

-Let me finish -he interrupted gently, leaning slightly toward her-. What I feel is real, but I'm not here to pressure you. I just want to be honest, something I wasn't in the past.

Margaret studied him, her gaze steady.

-Why now? -she asked, her voice filled with restrained emotion-. Why after all this time?

Lorenzo looked away briefly, as if searching for the right words.

-Because I'm learning from my mistakes. Because I don't want to leave important things unsaid anymore.

Margaret pressed her lips together, struggling to remain composed. Her mind swirled with questions, but one stood out above all.

-And your wife? -she finally asked, a mix of challenge and curiosity in her tone.

Lorenzo seemed taken aback by the question but quickly recovered.

-There's no one else in my life, Margaret -he said firmly, his eyes locked on hers-. Amelia left years ago, and all I've done since is regret not fighting for her.

His words pierced Margaret's defenses, but she wasn't ready to give in to emotion.

-So now you're trying to fill that void with me? -she asked, her tone cold.

Lorenzo shook his head.

-No, it's not that. What I feel for you is different. I'm here because I want to start over, because you deserve to know what's on my mind.

Margaret stood, feeling the need for air.

-This is too much, Lorenzo. I need time to process.

Lorenzo nodded, resigned.

-Take it. I'm not here to rush you, Margaret. I just wanted to be honest.

She gave him one last look before walking away. As she left, Lorenzo sighed deeply. He had said what he felt, but he knew winning Margaret's trust would be the hardest challenge of his life.

\---

Margaret returned home with a lingering sense of unease. Mateo played happily in the living room, blissfully unaware of his mother's emotional storm. She bent down to kiss his forehead before retreating to her bedroom. She needed to be alone.

Closing the door behind her, she collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Lorenzo's words echoed in her mind like an endless loop: "What I feel for you is different."

She turned onto her side, hugging a pillow as if it could ease the weight on her chest.

-What are you looking for, Lorenzo? -she murmured into the air.

On one hand, his confessions seemed sincere, but on the other, she couldn't stop questioning his intentions. Had he truly moved on from Amelia, or was he simply trying to fill the void she left behind?

Margaret got up and walked to the desk where she often designed. Inside a small wooden box, she kept letters and mementos from her past life as Amelia. She pulled out a photo from her wedding with Lorenzo, an image she hadn't had the courage to destroy.

In the photo, Lorenzo looked at her with a mix of love and pride. That gaze had been her safe haven for so long but had also become her greatest pain when he stopped looking at her that way.

-Did you really forget me, Lorenzo? -she whispered, staring at the photo-. Or are you just looking for someone to take my place?

The doubts hit her hard. If he had truly let go of Amelia, why was he now so interested in Margaret? Were his feelings genuine, or just a reflection of what they once had?

Margaret placed the photo back in the box and walked to the window. Outside, the lights of Paris illuminated the night, but inside her heart, only shadows remained.

-I can't take that risk again -she said to herself, crossing her arms-. I can't let him hurt me again.

As much as she wanted to believe in Lorenzo's sincerity, she knew she had to protect herself, especially for Mateo's sake. She couldn't let anyone play with her emotions, least of all someone who once had the power to destroy her.

Yet, a small part of her, the one that still held onto a sliver of hope, wanted to believe Lorenzo had changed. But for that, he'd have to prove it with more than just words.

Margaret sighed deeply and sat back on the bed. She looked at the photo once more before putting it away.

-If you've really forgotten Amelia, Lorenzo, then you have a lot to prove. Because this time, I won't lose myself for you.

Her decision was made. Margaret would face Lorenzo with strength, but also with her heart guarded. If he wanted to be part of her life again, he'd have to earn her trust from scratch. And this time, there would be no second chances.