CHAPTER NINETY FOUR – BIANCA ARRIVES

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of small talk and forced smiles, but Karina was acutely aware of Miguel's presence. Every time their eyes met across the room, she felt a jolt of electricity. The weight of the necklace against her skin was a constant reminder of the moment they had shared in the garden. It wasn't until they were in the car on the way home that they had a moment alone. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Miguel spoke. "Karina, about what happened in the garden..." Karina's heart raced. "Yes?" He hesitated, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I just want you to know that I—" But before he could finish, his phone rang, the sharp trill cutting through the tension in the car. With a frustrated sigh, Miguel answered it, launching into a discussion about some urgent business matter. Karina leaned back in her seat, a mix of relief and disappointment washing over her. What had Miguel been about to say? And more importantly, wh