Episode 1

My name is Alana Forbes. And if I could choose a single moment to freeze in time, to never move forward, it would be one where my mother could hug me. Aurora... that was her name. I never met her. She died the day I was born. A high-risk birth, they said. And yet, for as long as I can remember, I have felt her love as if it were tattooed on my skin.

My dad, Leonardo Forbes, told me more than once that she begged him, if anything were to happen to her, to take care of me, to love me with all his soul. And he certainly did. Dad was both father and mother. He never remarried. He never allowed anyone to fill that place. And although many times I saw sadness in his eyes, he never made me feel alone. "Your mother already loved you when you were the size of a seed, Alana," he used to tell me with a broken voice. "And I also learned to love you from that very moment."

I didn't have a typical childhood, but I was happy. I had everything I needed: a family, friends, and big dreams. Although sometimes, being the daughter of the powerful Leonardo Forbes could be a constant pressure. People assumed I had it all figured out, that I lived in a perfect world. But nobody sees the cracks when the walls are well painted.

Fortunately, I had Sofia. I met her in kindergarten. We attended the same school and since then we have never separated. Our friendship withstood time, changes, even my worst days. Her mother, Maria, was the closest thing to a mother figure in my life. She was always there, for her and for me, with wise advice, warm hugs, and those soups that cured any sadness. Maria made me feel like another daughter. In her house there was always a place for me at the table... and in her heart.

I also met Nick Altamirano in high school. He was the typical guy that everyone wanted: handsome, popular, with that crooked smile and confidence that disarmed. From the first year he chased me, looked for me, brought me flowers. And I, without having known love before, believed that he was it. I thought that someone who made you feel special should be the one who deserved your heart. What did I know? I had never loved anyone else, and I confused attention with love. Or at least I thought so...

Although I was always a beautiful girl - or so everyone said - I never saw it as a weapon. I had long hair, as black as night, and brown eyes that I inherited from my mother. My skin, fair with a soft tan, seemed to shine when I really laughed. But I was never haughty. I was rather low-key. I liked to work hard, to stand out for merit, not for appearance.

I finished university at 21 years old. I had entered young, ahead of my age, thanks to my effort. And I was finally graduating in Business Administration. My father was proud, and so was I. Not only for fulfilling, but because deep down, I wanted more. I always dreamed of managing my family's company, having an active professional life, and also... a nice home, full of love. That's why, with three years of engagement to Nick and the wedding just around the corner, I thought I had it all figured out. Or so I thought.

That night, to celebrate my graduation, we decided to go out. I wasn't much of a party person, but Sofia convinced me. There was a new bar in the city, "Eclipse," that had become popular. Sofia picked me up, as always, punctual and full of enthusiasm.

"But look at you!" she exclaimed as she saw me come out. "If I were Nick, I would faint when I see you."

"Please," I laughed, fastening my seatbelt. "Don't exaggerate."

"I'm not exaggerating. You look amazing, Alana. And... are you okay? I mean, with all the graduation stuff, the wedding on the way..."

I hesitated for a few seconds before answering.

"Yes, or at least I think so. Sometimes... I don't know, it's like everything is perfect and at the same time... incomplete. Has it never happened to you to feel that something is missing, even though in theory you have everything?"

Sofia frowned, silent for a moment. Then she turned to me while the car was stopped at a traffic light.

"I'm going to tell you something that I've been keeping. I didn't want to put ideas in your head, but I can't keep quiet anymore, Alana."

"What's wrong?"

She sighed.

"I've heard things about Nick... for months. Rumors of girls, of parties he goes to alone. And it's not just strangers who say it... even a girl from our degree told me. They say they've seen him with a girl named Camila."

The name echoed in my mind like an unwelcome bell.

"Camila..." I repeated, barely audibly. "And do you believe it, friend?"

"I don't want to hurt you, but... I'm worried that you're giving your life to someone who maybe doesn't deserve it. I've known you since we had bows in kindergarten. You've been like a sister to me, and my mom adores you too. I just want you to be sure that you're not in this out of habit or fear of being alone."

I looked out the window, in silence.

Alana—I've never been with anyone else... Nick was the first to pay attention to me, to make me feel special. I thought that was love... or at least I thought so. But lately... I feel like there's no spark, no fire that you see in movies or that you see in other couples. And I don't know if that's normal or... a sign.

Sofia took my hand with affection.

"That's not selfishness, Alana. It's having the courage to question what you feel. And if at any point you realize that it's not what you deserve, you have every right to change course. Nobody can judge you for seeking something true."

The conversation hung in the air as the car drove towards Eclipse. What neither of them knew was that that night, that conversation, and that place... would change the course of my life forever.

At the Eclipse bar

I don't usually go out much. My plans have always revolved around my career, my family, Nick... But that night, I felt like I deserved to celebrate. Graduating as the youngest in my class wasn't easy, and Sofia had insisted so much on going to Eclipse, that I simply let myself go. Besides, I confess that I needed to distract myself, even if I didn't admit it out loud. There was something in me that asked to breathe differently, to live a little, to feel something new. What I didn't know was that that night, fate would laugh at all my plans.

"Alana!" Lucia, a classmate, shouted, waving her hand from one of the VIP tables in the place. "You finally arrived, woman!"

The place was impressive. Eclipse had a modern but warm architecture. Soft lights that highlighted the elegance of the place, soft music in the background and such a polished attention that it was comforting. I liked it. It was the kind of place where you could talk, laugh and at the same time, feel in another world.

Alana: Wow - I murmured when I arrived at the table where some university classmates were already. - I love it.

"I told you," Sofia smiled. "Eclipse doesn't disappoint. Besides, they say the owner is a young magnate, handsome and... a bit difficult to deal with," she added, lowering her voice with an air of mystery.

"Difficult to deal with? Like arrogant?" I asked amused.

"Like cold and dangerous. The typical businessman who has built an empire based on ambition, not smiles. Dante Salvatore... that's his name," she whispered dramatically.

The name didn't mean anything to me, but I didn't give it much importance. I felt good. Sofia was happy, so was I. We talked for a while, between jokes, future plans and dreams that still seemed attainable. At one point, we laughed so much that my stomach hurt. It was a perfect night... until fate decided to play with me.

"I'm going to the restroom, I'll be right back," I announced.

"I'll go with you," Sofia said, but I shook my head with a smile.

"I'm fine, I'll be right back."

I made my way through the corridors, looking for the bathroom. Turning a corner, I opened the wrong door. I realized too late. The room was an office, elegant and silent. And the worst thing... it wasn't empty.

A man, tall, in an impeccable suit and with a cold gaze, watched me from behind the desk. His face, perfectly sculpted, conveyed a calm that was not entirely kind. His bearing imposed. I, on the other hand, was stuck in the spot like an idiot.

Dante: I don't usually tolerate interruptions - he said, without raising his voice.

I felt my heart stop for a moment. His tone was serious, controlled... intimidating.

Alana: I'm sorry... it was a mistake. I was looking for the bathroom, I didn't mean to come in. I didn't know that—...

"Clearly you didn't know"he interrupted dryly.

I swallowed saliva. I couldn't move. Why was he looking at me like that? His eyes were deep, but not empty. They carried a kind of contained tension. It wasn't a lecherous look... but it was disturbing. It made me feel naked, without having touched me.

And that's when my mind committed the stupidest betrayal.

"God... how attractive he is, what a body! What am I thinking? I'm engaged!"

He stood up and walked towards me with a slow but firm step. When he was close enough, he looked at me directly.

"Do you always come in without knocking or just when you're dressed like that?"

I blushed immediately. The red dress hugged my silhouette tightly. I felt judged... and observed.

"I didn't know there was someone... and this... it's not what it seems."

"Relax," he murmured, tilting his head with a half smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm not offended... just curious."

"Curious?"

"Not just anyone enters this office without an invitation."

"And not just anyone should have it so poorly signposted," I replied, trying to regain some dignity.

An eyebrow arched slightly. He seemed to find me amusing. Or annoying. Or both.

"Dante Salvatore," he finally introduced himself.

I didn't answer. I didn't know if I should say my name. I didn't even know if I should still be there.

"And you are...?"

"Just a mistake," I finally replied, hurrying out of the room with my cheeks burning.

When I returned to the table, my breathing still hadn't returned to normal. Sofia gave me a suspicious look.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes... I just got a little lost," I lied.

I couldn't tell her. I still hadn't processed what had just happened.

But as I sat down again, I turned my gaze slightly towards the direction of the hallway. And that's when I saw him, in the distance, from the second level of the bar. Dante was watching me. With his arms crossed, with a glass in his hand, with that inscrutable expression that seemed to read me whole.

And although I didn't want to admit it, there was something in that exchange of glances that left a knot in my chest.

It wasn't just attraction... it was unease. It was a presentiment.

And without knowing why... I knew it wouldn't be the last time I saw him.

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