Page 65 of Consequence of One Reckless Night

Raquel’s tears ran free as his cruel words thrust into her heart causing her to stumble back against the bed.

“I don’t want someone who will betray me at the first given opportunity.”

“I didn’t betray you, Alexandre,” Raquel defended herself. “They believeyouare the reason Erica’s marriage fell apart. They holdyouresponsible for the infamy your father brought with his misdeeds. I couldn’t stand listening to them blamingyoufor their misfortunes...”

“So you did it to defend me?” He crossed his arms across his chest, skewering her with an angry stare. “How would you feel if I told your mother that you know the real reason why she hates you, and beg her to love you back?”

Raquel’s heart hammered in her chest as she struggled to breathe. “It is not the same—”

“Isn’t it?” he questioned, stepping toward her, and she stumbled and fell backwards on the bed. “You told me your secret, and I told you mine. I never told another soul what you told me, but what did you do?”

“I was advocating for you, Alexandre,” she pleaded, sitting up, looking up at him with tearful eyes. “Your family needs to know that they can’t punish you for something that isn’t even your fault.”

“It is my battle to fight!” He didn’t raise his voice, but she shivered nonetheless as the gravity of the situation sunk in.

She had tried to fight for him but had inadvertently exposed him to his foe. It was an unforgivable act—a breach of trust, like he mentioned.

“I don’t fight your battles and I certainly don’t want you to fight mine.”

“Alexandre, please!” she cried when he turned to leave. “I did it for you. I wanted Carlos to know that despite your miserable upbringing, you’ve grown into a wonderful man he should be proud to call his own. I wanted him to know how much he means to you, and how much you desire to be loved and accepted.”

He turned around slowly, his eyes glinting dangerously. He no longer looked like her lover who catered to every need of hers. He was the man she had encountered in Carlos’s library all those weeks ago, when she had met him at the family home. He was frightening and—unapproachable. With hands curled into fists and jaw clenched tight, he was wound up tight like a spring. Any moment now, he would lose his temper and she feared when that happened, she would be obliterated by his rage.

“Don’t you see what you’ve done?” His angry growl made her tremble. “I would never beg for love and affection. By begging on my behalf, you’ve not only unmanned me but destroyed my pride, too.”

“No,” she cried, “I did it because you deserve to be treated like Leandro—a true Monteiro. I stood up for you because I love you.”

“If this is love, then I don’t want your love.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Alexandre drove aroundthe island aimlessly, for hours, struggling to make sense of everything that had occurred in the last few hours.

Alisha’s betrayal had shaken him, just as much as Carlos’s confession had. His grandfather had begged him for forgiveness—for a lifetime of wrong done to him, confessing that he’d only thought of his own son, Rico and never about Alexandre.

“I’m ashamed of myself,” he’d said, admitting that he was grateful to Raquel for opening his eyes. “I have two heirs now—you and Leandro,” hugging him he’d said, before admitting that he was looking forward to seeing Alexandre’s child.

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