said, narrowing his eyes as

her chin and met his gaze without backing down. If he struck her, then so be it.

red, her voice s

had never been the kind of man to raise his hand against a woman, and he wasn't about to start now. Still, dealing

with such force that she flinch

self, letting her body fall back onto the

and reached for the book l

ly, brushing her fingers over the cover.

food. As she handed it over, her eyes flicked dow

you bring this wi

on, take it." She nudged the tray

ause of me," Carolina said under her bre

. "Mr. Maximo can be stubborn, but he wouldn't t

her head with

ice soft as she smiled at the olde

xchange. At least someone

eplied gently. "And... try to be p

sn't have to adjust to anything, she thought. He's the one who forced this marriage. I didn'

inking and go eat. Meals a

, said a quiet prayer, then

ood far from settled. A towel still hung aroun

all," he muttered before dro

ust the argument. It was t

had happened earlier,

lf. Even so, something inside him resisted that

tant so she can get more out of i

ep didn't clear his thoughts. Even in his dreams, Carol

waiting for some time, he turned his gaze toward Dolores and ask

at him. Sensing something was off, he set his fork down and tu

illo left very ea

ession t

here did she

saw her coming down the stairs and called out

p. He wiped his mouth, then tossed it

," he scoffed. Then hi

to the dining room. He removed his ha

Mr. Ca

aximo held back his temper as he sp

refused. He said he needed to speak with you first. After that, she took out

ndo had taken her. At least then, he would've known where she was and who she was wi

I expect to be informed of where Mrs. Castillo goes." Another breath followed, and a faint

nd, he dismissed him. Jacinto

covering half his face before heading out. He wasn't trying to cont

't know who she was. If anything happened

the farm wasn't something he did often, and he rarely showed himself among the

nning every corner. No sign of her. Stree

," he muttered, frustration rising.

d pushed the door open halfway. Just as he was abou

st arrived, and this already

nce. Visitors were rare in