Page 39 of When Love Changes Everything

He looks up, meeting my gaze for a brief moment before nodding, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "I’ll make sure they reach their destination," he replies. "Enjoy the house."

"We will," I say, my voice steady, though a surge of unbridled happiness rises within me. My future with Mateo is so close now, and this house—this beautiful house—will be the backdrop to everything that lies ahead for us.

***

"You like it?" I ask Mateo as he makes his way through the house, inspecting each room with a trained eye. He’s worked in real estate in Mexico since before Lily was born, so he knows exactly what to look for.

"Four bedrooms,hermosa?" he says, raising an eyebrow. "For just the two of us?"

I smile, feeling a rush of excitement, both about the house and what it represents for our future. "Well," I begin, trying to keep my tone light, "I want to start a family someday."

The smile that spreads across his handsome face is all the confirmation I need. He pulls me into his arms, his gaze soft but filled with promise.

"How soon is someday?" he asks, his voice low and playful as he presses a kiss to my forehead. "Because if it were up to me—"

"I don't want to wait," I confess, cutting him off. "If we have children right away, they can grow up with Aaron's kids. And Lily's."

"I'd like that," he smiles. His blue gaze is so intense, I can feel it in my soul. "I love you,hermosa."

"I love you too," I whisper before his lips find mine. His kiss is so familiar now, so tender and sweet. I never imagined I'd be here, in Mateo's arms. There was a time when I thought he was dangerously handsome, his allure so undeniable that I had to fight the urge to confess just how attracted I was to him. But I never imagined that I’d find myself falling deeply in love with him—and that he would feel the same way.

When my phone rings, the familiar ringtone tells me it’s Lily calling.

I pull away from Mateo, and he grunts in protest, his arms tightening around me. "We’re not done yet,hermosa," he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and teasing.

"It’s Lily," I whisper, feeling my heart begin to race as the familiar ringtone fills the air. Slipping my phone from my back pocket, I glance at the screen before answering.

Mateo releases me and steps back, though his gaze remains fixed on mine, sure and steady.

"Hello," I say tentatively, holding the phone to my ear. When no response comes, my brow furrows. "Lily?" I prompt, my voice a mix of hesitation and concern.

"I just got off the phone with your dad," she says, skipping any greeting.

My mouth goes dry. I turn to Mateo, silently mouthing,Oh. My. God.The shift in my expression instantly grabs his attention, his brows lifting in concern.

"You spoke to my father?" I say, to let Mateo know that Lily probably knows everything.

"Is my father with you?" she asks, her tone sharp. "What happened to you not being into older men?"

"Lily, I—"

"You lied to me," she cuts me off, her voice laced with hurt. "Put him on the phone."

"Lily—" I try again, but she’s relentless.

"I said, put my father on the phone."

My heart pounds as I hand the phone to Mateo. "She wants to speak with you," I manage.

Mateo nods, his expression calm despite the storm brewing on the other end of the line. He takes the phone from my hand, but not before gently lifting my other hand and pressing a reassuring kiss to my knuckles. Then, with a steady resolve, he turns his attention to Lily.

Chapter 16

Mateo

"Hola, mija. How was your trip?" I ask, striving to keep my tone light and casual.

"How could you, Dad?" Her voice is a mixture of anger, hurt, and disappointment, cutting through any pretense.

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