Estelle's eyes widened in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. What was this man saying? He must be insane!
Lorenzo continued calmly, his tone chillingly matter-of-fact. "From the moment I saw her, I knew I wanted her as my wife. You can't refuse my offer; we both know you need the money. Consider it is a small price to pay to save your family from impending ruin."
Estelle's mind raced. Marry him? Lorenzo might be handsome and incredibly wealthy, but she was too afraid of him. Everyone knew what kind of a man he is. And besides, she already had a boyfriend, someone she truly loved. The thought of marrying Lorenzo felt like a nightmare.
"We don't know each other," she said softly, though every fiber of her wanted to shout. "How can you say you want to marry me?"
Lorenzo's sharp gaze pierced her, sensing the fear she was trying to hide. He didn't like it; he didn't want her to be afraid of him. But he knew that could change in time.
"I want you as my wife," he repeated, his voice reverberating around the room. His eyes never left hers, making her instinctively shrink back. "We can get to know each other afterward."
Alejandro sat in silence, studying Lorenzo's expressionless face. Yet, somehow, he sensed a deeper meaning behind Lorenzo's words. He couldn't understand it, but a part of him felt that Lorenzo had some genuine feeling for Estelle, however strange it seemed.
Alejandro took a deep breath and nodded. "I will agree to this."
Estelle whipped around, staring at her father in stunned silence. She wanted to protest, to tell him no, but something in Lorenzo's unyielding stare kept her voice locked.
Lorenzo looked at Alejandro, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the quick acceptance. "And what's the condition attached to your acknowledgment?" he asked, fully expecting Alejandro to come with terms of his own.
Alejandro observed Lorenzo's reaction, and a hint of satisfaction touched his expression. "Not a condition, but a promise. Promise me that if, within a year, the marriage doesn't work out, you will let her go."
Lorenzo, taken by surprise, laughed—a rare, genuine sound. His soon-to-be father-in-law had a sense of humor.
"First, I have never been rejected by any woman, and your daughter won't be the first," he said with pride. "Second, I don't usually make promises, but I will take that risk because your daughter is special. Though I want her by my side forever, you have my word: if she truly doesn't want me—though I doubt that will happen—I will let her go."
Alejandro nodded, content. He knew Estelle well enough to believe she would eventually come around, but this condition was just in case she didn't. Besides, he preferred Lorenzo for her over Rafael.
Mr. Mauricio laid the document in front of them and indicated where to sign. Alejandro signed without hesitation, passing it on to Estelle. When it was her turn, she hesitated, her pen hovering above the paper.
Lorenzo noticed her reluctance, a slight frown crossing his otherwise composed face, but he remained seated calmly.
Swallowing, Estelle looked at him, uncertain. "Do... do I have to start living with you immediately?"
"No, you don't," Lorenzo replied. "You will have today to say your goodbyes. Tomorrow morning, I will send someone to pick you up."
Estelle sighed in relief, grateful for the time. As she prepared to sign, she acted on a sudden impulse and wrote down 'Esmeralda's' name instead of her own.
Alejandro's face darkened instantly, recognizing the name switch. Estelle's pleading eyes met his, begging him to keep quiet. He realized that even if he stayed silent, Lorenzo would eventually catch on to the deception. But before he could speak, he saw Lorenzo's smile widen as he signed his name without hesitation.
Alejandro had been wrong, after all. The man didn't know about the trick Estelle had played on him. He didn't even know his daughter's name. Alejandro had assumed that since Lorenzo had specifically requested her, he must have done some background checks. But looking at the situation now, that wasn't the case. Why would he want to marry her when he knew nothing about her? Alejandro was beginning to feel he had made a terrible mistake. Yet, could someone as formidable as Lorenzo Salvador really invite them to his home without knowing anything about them?
"The money has been transferred, and Esmeralda, this is my wedding gift to you," Lorenzo said as he rose from his seat.
Estelle felt her pulse quicken as he approached. Lorenzo's striking presence, his confident walk, and that intense gaze made her momentarily forget herself. Her heart skipped a beat when he called her 'Esmeralda,' but she quickly masked her reaction with a smile.
Lorenzo leaned forward and fastened a necklace with an infinity pendant around her neck. His voice was low, almost a whisper as he said, "I hope you like it."
Estelle's breath caught. She raised her hand to touch the pendant, catching her reflection in the mirror brought by one of his staff. The necklace was exquisite, and in that moment, all she could do was smile, murmuring, "I love it. Thank you."
"Good to know." Lorenzo's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, clearly pleased with her response.
As Alejandro and Estelle left, Alejandro's heart was heavy. What had he done? The entire way home, he couldn't shake the grim thought that perhaps, in trying to save their family, he had unwittingly sold Estelle—no, Esmeralda—into a situation neither of them could truly understand.