“It seems so.”
I recognize the other voice as Guillermo’s and walk towards them, even though neither has seen me yet.
“It was a great idea to make the world think you were in love. It was the only way to protect her.”
I instantly freeze.
His words are like a dagger to my heart.
I cover my mouth, horrified, while everything we’ve done since the false theft accusation incident flashes through my mind like a movie.
The press conference the next day, holding hands during dinners, our trip to the opera...
I turn to leave, but I must make some noise because in an instant, both are by my side.
I don’t even see Joaquín; I can only see Guillermo, who approaches.
“No.” I raise my hand to stop him from touching me.
He doesn’t stop, and I have to give it my all to hold back the tears.
“No,” I repeat. “I’m leaving. Don’t say anything to your mother; she’s very happy. Don’t ruin her night, but I swear to God if you touch me, I’ll scream.”
I turn my back, trying to keep my composure and not focus on anyone. When I’m almost at the door, Rafe calls me. I’m afraid to turn back to face him and start crying.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Home.”
“What do you mean? We haven’t even eaten yet.” When he turns me to face him, he immediately pulls me into a hug. “What did my brother do?”
“I don’t want to talk now; I just need to leave.”
“No way you’re leaving without me. I’ll drive you home. I don’t know what happened, but you’re not going out alone looking like this, in this ballerina costume.”
Even with my bleeding heart, I manage to smile.
“That’s better.”
He opens the car door, but before I can get in, Guillermo appears.
“Enough,” he says.
“I have to agree with that,” I retort. I don’t look at him for fear of losing control.
“I tried to tell you little by little. I tried not to hurt you, but I messed up. Now, mark my words: there’s no way I’ll let you walk away without knowing the whole truth.”
He’s not heading to Martina’s apartment but to his.
“I don’t want to go back to your house.”
“You need to listen to me. There are things in my office I need to show you.”
If the situation was different, I might laugh. The two of us arguing dressed up in Halloween costumes.
But there’s nothing funny about this.
I look out the window.
