The rescue team barely arrived before Mateo stumbled out—bloody, wrecked, and cradling an unconscious Helen like she was the most precious thing in the world.

He laid her on the stretcher with unbearable gentleness, not even collapsing until he was sure she was okay.

That's when everyone saw the wounds on his back.

Yara's eyes burned, but not out of pity. No, it was something else—something that dragged her straight into the past.

Mateo had chased after her for ages. And yeah, she'd noticed. She wasn't blind. But back then, she'd been too wrapped up in waiting for Steven to ever let Mateo in.

Then came the collapse. The hospital. The diagnosis—kidney failure.

She'd called her parents, sobbing, begging them to get tested.

They hadn't even hesitated.

No.

They were taking Helen on a trip.

Kidney failure wasn't fatal.

And even if it was—well, they told her to call after she was dead. Then they hung up.

She'd been drowning in hopelessness when Mateo had quietly stepped in. Got tested. Didn't even tell her. Just went under the knife.

She hadn't found out he was the donor until after the surgery.

She'd sat by his bed, crying like her heart had been ripped out. And when he finally woke up, he'd just pulled her close, thumb brushing away her tears.

"Don't cry," he'd whispered. "I wanted to do this."

She'd only cried harder.

That was the moment she thought—maybe it was time to stop waiting for something that would never happen.

Maybe she should finally see the one person who had always been there.

But by the time she'd fallen, it was already too late.

Because it had never been real.

And now, watching him, she knew the truth.

Mateo had always been willing to risk everything for love.

Just not for her.

It had always been Helen.

***

Mateo's injuries were bad. Weeks in the hospital bed.

Once upon a time, Yara would've lost it over even a scratch on him. Now? She didn't even think about visiting.

Not when Kevin showed up saying Mateo wanted to see her.

She just ignored it and went on with her life.

Then, late one night, she woke up feeling... off. Heavy.

And that's when she realized—someone was holding her.

Mateo.

Still in a hospital gown, head bandaged, body barely stitched back together. Yet here he was, clinging to her like he had any right to. Silent. Desperate.

She struggled against him, shoving him off. "How did you get back here?"

"I missed you," he murmured, head still buried against her neck. Then softer, like he was the one hurting—"Did you not get Kevin's messages? You never visited. Not once.

"Is it because I saved Helen?

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you. But she's your sister, Yara. It was an emergency—I had to save her. But I swear... I've only ever loved you.

"I was just looking out for Helen like a brother. That's all. There's nothing else.

"Please, Yara... don't be mad at me anymore."

He sounded so sincere, so convincing that if Yara didn't know the truth...

She might've believed him.

But she knew better.

Mateo wasn't here because he cared—he was scared. Scared she'd see through him. Scared it would ruin the wedding. Scared that if she walked, Helen wouldn't get what she wanted.

Honestly? He didn't need to keep up this act.

Didn't need to worry.

None of this would matter soon.

Very soon, these people would be nothing to her.

She'd be gone. A fresh start.

A life filled with love—even if it was fabricated.

Better than the hollow kind she'd known before.

Because if none of it was ever real... then why should it matter what was?

"I'm not mad." Yara met Mateo's gaze, her expression serious. She hesitated, like she wasn't sure he'd buy it, then added, "I just caught a cold. Didn't want to pass it to you, so I stayed away."

"You're sick? Did you catch a chill? Are you okay?"

Before she could answer, he was already typing on his phone. "The weather's getting colder. Do you need more clothes? I'll send some over."

Fast. Too fast. She barely had time to react. But honestly? Whatever. Let him send them. It wasn't like she planned on using them. Worst case, she'd leave them behind when she left—maybe his precious Helen would appreciate them.

So she didn't argue. "I'm fine. Just take care of yourself. You're still recovering—you should be in the hospital."

The words sounded right, but there was nothing behind them. No warmth, no concern. Just a polite dismissal.

Mateo hesitated. Something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he was imagining things.

He stood, ready to go—then paused. She was still lying there, making no move to follow. His jaw tightened. "If you're not coming with me, then I'm not going."

They locked eyes. A beat of silence. Then Yara sighed, resigned.

Fine.

She got up, changed, and went with him.

***

At the hospital, Mateo suddenly remembered Yara mentioning her cold. Immediately, he called a doctor over. Once they confirmed it was nothing serious—just rest needed—he finally relaxed.

Since he was still recovering, he stayed a few more days. And during that time? He stuck to Yara like glue. Wherever she went, he followed. Even when she went to the restroom, he'd wait right outside.

The nurses caught on quick. Anytime they saw one of them, they'd glance around—yep, the other was always nearby.

Everywhere they went, Yara kept hearing the same comments.

"Mr. Lopez and Ms. Medici are so in love! If only I could find a boyfriend like that."

"Right? Ugh, must be nice. But let's be real, we should just go to bed—at least we can dream about it."

Yara heard it all. Didn't react.

Love? Affection?

Please.

This wasn't devotion—it was surveillance.

Mateo wasn't clinging to her because he loved her. He was watching her.

She'd been different lately, and with the wedding coming up, he probably thought she was about to cause a scene. Because in his mind, if she didn't go through with it, she'd just run back to Steven.

And if that happened... how would his precious Helen ever get her happy ending?

***

A few days later, Mateo was finally discharged.

The second they got in the car, his phone rang. A friend.

"Mateo! There's gonna be a meteor shower tonight. You should bring your fiancée and come hang out!"

Meteor showers weren't common, and since the invite included Yara, Mateo agreed without hesitation.

Yara didn't want to go. But to avoid suspicion, she played along.

When they arrived, she realized fast—it wasn't just Mateo's friends. Helen was there too.

The second Mateo saw her, Yara felt his excitement. Just a flicker, gone in a heartbeat. But she caught it. He masked it quickly, pretending not to care.

Night fell, stars dotting the sky.

Then—whoosh. A streak of light flashed across the horizon.

More followed, one after another, meteors raining down in a breathtaking cascade. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Couples squeezed their hands together, friends nudged each other excitedly, and almost on cue, people shut their eyes to make wishes.

A street vendor wove through the crowd, calling out, "Wanna check out these wishing bottles? Write your wish on a slip of paper, and I'll hang it on the tree for you! Wishing under a meteor shower makes it extra lucky!"

Yara knew it was all nonsense, but when she caught Helen eyeing the wishing bottles like they were priceless treasures, she wasn't shocked when the group started buying them one by one.

Then came Mateo.

He didn't just buy one—he bought all of them.

His friends immediately jumped in.

"Mateo, you really think you can fill out that many wishes? Mind sharing a few?"

"Seriously, man, you already have everything. What more do you need to wish for? Greedy much?"

Mateo just smirked, then turned to Yara, eyes soft. "I don't need anything. I just want Yara to have everything."

That one line sent the whole group into chaos.

"Mateo! No wonder you're the biggest simp in our crew!"

If it were anyone else, they might've turned red. Maybe laughed it off.

Yara? She just stared at the cart full of bottles, silent.

She focused on writing her own wish, tuning out the noise around her.

Mateo, nosy as ever, leaned in to peek.

She caught him and yanked the paper away. "It won't come true if you see it."

He chuckled, backing off. Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, he reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Whatever you wished for, it's gonna come true."

Yara gave him a faint smile, saying nothing.

Inside, though?

She agreed completely.

Before sealing the bottle, she glanced at her wish one last time.

[May Yara and Mateo never cross paths again in this lifetime.]

***

By the time Mateo finished filling out all his wishing bottles, the meteor shower was nearly over.

They were just about to leave when a sharp cry cut through the air.

Everyone turned just in time to see Helen on the ground, eyes red, looking heartbreakingly fragile.

"I think I twisted my ankle... It hurts so much..."

Instantly, the group swarmed around her.

Mateo barely hesitated. He shoved past everyone and scooped her up without a second thought.

Didn't even blink. Just carried her down the mountain.

Yara didn't say a word.

While the others hovered around Helen, fussing over her like she was made of glass, Yara quietly turned back.

Found the vendor.

Slipped him more money.

"Take down all the wishing bottles we just hung up."

A few minutes later, she was back at the mountaintop. Alone.

She sat down, fingers steady as she began opening the bottles.

One by one.

[May Helen always be happy and carefree, year after year.]

[May Helen's life be full of joy and free from sorrow.]

[May Helen always be healthy, with only good people in her life.]

[To my beloved Helen, may you always have peace and happiness.]

...

All of them.

Ninety-nine wishing bottles. Ninety-nine slips of paper.

And every single one carried her name.

Not even one was about Yara.

Her eyes burned.

In the end, she left the bottles scattered on the ground and walked down the mountain.

***

The moment Yara reached the bottom, she spotted Mateo pacing.

As soon as he saw her, he rushed over, pulling her into a tight embrace. His voice shook with relief.

"Where did you go? I didn't see you when I got down, and I—oh, Yara, don't ever leave my sight again!"

His friends crowded around, laughing, trying to lighten the mood.

"Dude, we told you—there's only one way down. She obviously wasn't lost. You were just panicking for nothing."

"Yara, you have no idea. Mateo almost cried when he couldn't find you!"

They thought they were proving something. Showing her how much Mateo cared.

But Yara barely heard them.

Because past the crowd, she locked eyes with Helen.

Her ankle was already wrapped up, her expression calm. Collected. But when Mateo's friends spoke, a smug glint flickered in her eyes.

That tiny, knowing smile—it was a taunt.

Like she was saying, 'See? They all think he loves you. But you and I both know the truth.

'The person he really cares about... is me.'

A wave of humiliation hit Yara, sharp and suffocating.

She clenched her fists but forced herself to stay composed.

'It's fine.

'It's all ending soon anyway.'