lla Esperanza, slow and

he encounter in the li

floors, served the sparkling glasses in the dining rooms,

s if at any moment someone might touch her

came in a d

butlers announced, tersely, almost amused, as if he kne

er trembling hands, and walked through the wi

ce was in the privat

vants did

nd massive oak doors a

ocked

aid a voice

opened t

ded by books, papers, and a lamp with a warm li

when he looked up, his gray eyes fixed on her

e door,"

ob

nds, there was

th something Beatriz couldn't na

ly, putting the papers aside.

er hands against her apron

blem," Eduardo added

art stopped

m...?" sh

erly tall man, but he had a

y, like a predator

," he said, stopping in

r gaze, but Eduard

ith two fingers, for

er?" he asked, his v

following cleaning orders

ed her s

through her, read all he

ly, he

smile, alm

, releasing her. "You're

z swal

ured two glasses of brandy, and,

ached out, confused. "It's just so n

withdrew her h

s if he enjoyed seei

house, everything is a silent war. Every word, every look, ever

hill run dow

hoose me?" sh

with an expression s

replied. "And no one suspects t

fect for w

is words hurt mo

sn't an al

as a

nce fell ove

ntinued, "you'll have

blurted out, unab

ain, amused

ime, much mo

thought of Martín. Of the medicines

er it takes," s

d at her for

anged, softened slightly, like

Beatriz,"

rned t

b, Eduardo's voice reached her

Beatr

not daring

Not everyone here is as

is voice chil

o the hallway, feeling

d crossed an

ere was no

just her life t

erything

t hadn't eve