When I think there’s nothing else I can do, the youngest Caldwell-Oviedo shouts, “We’re not done talking yet, blondie!”
Kathleen turns to her again but is soon hit in the face with a spray from who knows where, thanks to my sister-in-law.
Everything happens in a split second. When Kathleen stumbles, I’m momentarily frozen in place, but Martina doesn’t waste time and grabs my hand.
“We need to get out of here. Move, Olívia. It’s the first time I’ve used this crap, and I don’t know how long it lasts.”
As I rush past Kathleen, I see her doubled over, rubbing her eyes.
“You blinded me!” she shouts, but we keep moving towards the apartment exit.
“What was that?”
“Pepper spray. Now stop asking questions and hurry!”
We run down the stairs as fast as our legs can carry us, and as soon as we reach the ground floor, Martina shouts to the doorman, “Call the police. Someone broke into our apartment!”
“Are you sure you’re not injured, miss?”
“Absolutely sure. Just a little dizzy and nauseous, but I think that’s because I haven’t eaten today.”
“Let’s go to the hospital,” Guillermo decides.
As I suspected, he heard our entire conversation and acted quickly. Five minutes after we asked the doorman to call the police, a patrol car had arrived, and now I know he was the one who activated it.
“I don’t need to go to a hospital. She didn’t even touch me.”
“You said you feel dizzy. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“What did you do with Kathleen?” I ask to distract him.
“She’s been arrested.”
That’s all I need to hear. I’m sure Joaquín will do whatever it takes to keep her away from us.
There’s an ambulance, paramedics, and police officers surrounding us, and security guards are trying to create a human barrier to shield us from the curious.
“Nice to meet you, sister-in-law,” the youngest Caldwell-Oviedo says, giving me a peck on the cheek. “If I knew coming home would be this fun, I would’ve done it months ago!”
“That wasn’t funny, Martina. You both were in real danger,” her brother scolds.
“I acted on instinct. I took self-defense classes in Europe and paid close attention to what was taught. I’m sure if I hadn’t hit her with the spray, she would’ve hurt Olívia.”
He closes his eyes and hugs both of us. After giving his sister a kiss on the forehead, he announces, “Joaquín is coming. You won’t be alone in this apartment tonight, but before anything else, let’s go to the hospital to confirm you’re really okay.”
“I’ll only go if Martina goes too.”
She nudges me with her elbow. “Stop fighting, Olívia. We’re both going, or Guillermo won’t stop whining in our ears for the rest of the night.”
Chapter 52
Wedding Day
One month later
I gaze at my wedding dress hanging on a rack in my mother-in-law’s guest room, wishing more than ever that my mother was here.
She was so joyful before the illness. In fact, she only let herself get down near the end, when the suffering seemed too great. Now, I believe she stayed strong for my sake.
