WHEN LOVE RETURNS

CHAPTER 3

The atmosphere at the Villanueva residence was thick with tension. Erica sat on the edge of her seat, her fingers nervously tapping against the armrest, eyes fixed on her father as he paced back and forth. What's going to happen to me? I hope nothing wrong happens.

At the grand staircase leading to Mr. Villanueva's office, Letty and Lila, two of the household maids, stood quietly, their ears catching the sharp rise and fall of voices from within.

"Poor Miss Erica," Letty whispered, clutching her hands to her chest. "Do you think she'll really be sent away?"

Lila frowned, her face shadowed with concern. "I hope not. She may be a little spoiled, but she doesn't deserve to be exiled."

Letty nodded in agreement, her eyes darting to the closed office door. "She's young. Everyone makes mistakes. This punishment feels so... harsh."

Lila let out a soft sigh. "Mr. Villanueva is only trying to teach her a lesson, but it's painful to see."

The voices from the office grew louder, cutting through their whispered conversation. The maids exchanged a glance, their worry deepening. "I just hope she learns from this," Lila murmured. "But I wish it didn't have to be like this."

Every step he took seemed deliberate, his jaw clenched, his expression dark. Her mother sat nearby, hands folded tightly in her lap, her gaze filled with concern but offering no comfort. How did I let it go this far? What have I done?

Erica could feel the weight of the previous night hanging over her like a storm cloud.

Finally, her father stopped pacing and turned to face her, his voice cold and steady. "This behavior, Erica, is unacceptable."

Erica swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. I knew I'd messed up, but I didn't think it would come to this.

"Your reckless actions have embarrassed this family," he continued, his eyes sharp and unforgiving. "Do you realize what kind of reputation we have in this city? People look up to us, Erica. They expect dignity and poise, not... whatever that spectacle was last night."

Her cheeks flushed, and she struggled to meet his eyes. "Dad, I... I just wanted to have some fun. I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand."

He scoffed, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "Fun? At the expense of our family's reputation? You've been given everything—a life of privilege, opportunities most people could only dream of—and this is how you repay us? By behaving like a spoiled child with no sense of responsibility?"

The words stung, each one landing like a blow. Erica felt a rush of shame and frustration, mixing together in a tangled mess. Why can't he understand? I just wanted one night to be free, to escape all these expectations.

Her mother, sensing the rising tension, spoke up gently, her voice soft but firm. "Erica, honey, your father's right. We've always encouraged you to enjoy life, but there are boundaries. You have to remember who you are and what we expect from you."

Erica clenched her fists in her lap, biting back the urge to defend herself. But before she could find the words, her father's voice cut through the air like a knife. "This cannot continue. I won't allow it."

The finality in his tone sent a chill down Erica's spine. "If you're going to act like a rebellious teenager, then perhaps it's time you experience what life is like without all these comforts. You need discipline, and clearly, that discipline won't come from staying here."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "What... what do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He turned to face her, his expression unyielding. "I'm sending you away, Erica. Away from this city, away from the distractions that have clearly clouded your judgment. Maybe some time in a place where life isn't so... comfortable will help you understand what it means to be a Villanueva."