The crystal sun dipped into the horizon, staining the sky with soft hues of gold and coral as Rose walked hand-in-hand with Diego through his father’s estate.

The serenity of the moment was starkly contrasted by the storm swirling just outside the Edwards' world headlines, gossip, and dangerous whispers plotting to ruin what they were trying to build.

Earlier that Day...

Kimberly Edwards’s sharp heels echoed across the marble floor of the Edwards Mansion. She stood like a queen in her sprawling designer robe, her fingers clenched around the stem of a wine glass, but her face twisted in disgust as she watched the morning news scroll across the television screen.

> “BREAKING: Billionaire CEO Diego Edwards proposes to market girl Rose Kurt in a public shock twist. Edwards matriarch unavailable for comment.”

Kimberly scoffed. “Unbelievable. Absolutely disgraceful.”

She turned to Julia, the ever-loyal family friend and Diego’s childhood ‘best match’ in her eyes. Julia sat on the edge of the white couch, her nails freshly manicured, her lips curled into a cunning smirk.

“She’s a PR nightmare, Kimberly,” Julia said, swirling her own drink. “The tabloids are eating her alive. I mean, ‘from the market to the mansion’? It sounds like a bad Cinderella knockoff.”

Kimberly’s eyes gleamed. “Then it’s time to rewrite the ending of that fairytale. One where the glass slipper never fits.”

They toasted silently to the beginning of their secret war.

***

Meanwhile, Rose was seated on the edge of her bed at her mother’s apartment, the oversized diamond ring still strange and heavy on her finger. The internet was on fire, not all flames were celebratory.

> “Gold digger scores billionaire husband how long till he wakes up?”

“From cleaning to claiming: Rose Kurt’s miraculous rise.”

“Where was Diego’s mother? Something smells off.”

She locked her phone and dropped it into her bag, her heart weighed down. She had tried to focus on happiness. Abigail had squealed for twenty minutes straight when she saw the ring.

Her mother had cried big, emotional tears of joy and disbelief. But the world outside their bubble wasn’t clapping. It was mocking. Prodding. Hating.

She wasn’t ready for this kind of attention.

The day had started early wedding preparations had officially begun. Diego had insisted on hiring the country’s top wedding planner, an elegant, kind-faced woman named Ms. Lara walked them through everything from venue selection to cake tasting.

Rose barely heard half of it. Her mind was still stuck on how people she’d never met could hate her so viciously.

“You’re not supposed to care about them,” Diego had said in the car that morning, holding her hand as paparazzi flashed lights outside the tinted windows. “They don’t know you like I do.”

But still… It hurts.

***

Back at the Edwards Mansion…

“I think,” Julia whispered to Kimberly as they strolled past the garden path, “we start by sowing doubt.”

Kimberly nodded. “Diego doesn’t like chaos. If we highlight just how much bad press this girl is dragging into the family, he’ll second-guess himself.”

“And if that doesn’t work?” Julia asked.

Kimberly smiled coldly. “Then we show her how dangerous it is to wear a crown that was never meant for her.”

Later that evening, Diego arrived at Rose’s apartment unannounced.

She opened the door in a simple blue robe, her hair still damp from a shower. “Diego?”

He smiled softly. “Sorry. I know I should’ve called, but I missed you.”

She stepped aside, letting him in. The scent of homemade stew and rosemary lingered in the air. It was a small, modest space, but warm and full of love. Her mother had gone to the market.

He sat on the couch like he belonged there.

Rose hesitated. “Have you seen the news?”

He nodded. “Yes. I also saw your name trending in six countries.”

“Funny.” She folded her arms, eyes dark. “You think this is all a joke?”

Diego stood, walked toward her, and gently cupped her face. “I think people will always talk. But we don’t answer them. We answer to each other.”

Her eyes welled. “I didn’t ask for this.”

“I know. But you asked for my heart, and I gave it to you. This comes with it.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s not let the noise ruin what we have.”

***

Two Days Later...

The mansion was abuzz. Ms. Lara had already booked the venue, a grand estate just outside the city with a marble aisle and a rose-laden archway. Rose, her mother, and Abigail visited to see it in person.

“I can’t believe this,” her mother whispered, wiping tears from her eyes. “My daughter… getting married here?”

Abigail grinned. “I hope the chairs are strong enough for me to faint dramatically when she walks in.”

Even as Rose smiled, her phone buzzed again. She glanced at it.

> Anonymous Message: “Diego won’t stay with someone like you forever.”

She quietly deleted it. Again.

Meanwhile, in Diego’s Office...

Diego’s father, Harold Edwards, walked in with the air of a man used to commanding attention.

“I heard the news,” he said, slapping a firm hand on Diego’s shoulder. “You proposed.”

Diego looked up. “Yes, sir.”

“And the press?”

“I don’t care about them.”

Harold chuckled. “Good. That’s how I know you’re serious. When a man loves a woman enough to defy even his own mother, he becomes a man.”

Diego was quiet for a beat. “She’s worth it.”

“I believe you.” Harold turned to go, then paused. “Just remember, the world will test your love. Don’t fail.”

Diego smiled with a feeling of satisfaction… he whispered to him “at least Dad has my full support.

***

Nightfall...

Rose stood by her bedroom window, arms wrapped around herself, watching the stars. The noise hadn’t stopped. Comments. Photoshopped images. Twisted headlines. One blog even claimed she was pregnant, which wasn’t true.

She felt like she was standing in the middle of a battlefield with no armor.

A soft knock on her window startled her.

She pulled back the curtain.

Diego stood outside, grinning like a boy who’d just climbed a tree to meet his Juliet.

She rushed to the door. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to see you,” he said, slipping inside, cheeks flushed from the night breeze. “You looked too sad during the menu tasting.”

“I’m okay.”

“You’re not.” He placed a hand on her cheek. “But I’m here.”

She let herself lean into him, his arms strong and warm.

They sat on the couch, silent for a moment.

“Do you regret this?” she asked softly.

He looked into her eyes. “I regret not doing it sooner.”

She melted into his embrace. He gently tilted her chin.

They kissed slowly, deep, full of emotion, not lust. When his hand began to trace the curve of her back, she trembled, but not from fear.

“I want you,” he whispered.

Her breath caught.

“But,” he added, “I promised I wouldn’t rush you. Not until our wedding night.”

She exhaled, relieved.

“I love you, Rose Kurt.”

Tears filled her eyes again, but this time they were soft.

“I love you too, Diego.”

And for that moment wrapped in each other’s arms, the storm at bay, the world quiet , Rose allowed herself to believe that this love could survive anything.

Even betrayal.

Even plots.

Even family and Society.

But what happens when the love starts fading away? Will Diego's mom ever accept her?