acking is Mercedes-Maybach Exelero at the

om for hours. My tea is cold, untouched on the table beside me

s echo in the hall. They stop when he

ice is a little slurred, he's been drink

ght fills the room. I stare at him. My eyes are puff

to talk

ilk tie, annoyed. "It's late, Emi

expected. I've gotten good at hiding how I feel, playing the perfect wif

er the couch like it means nothing. "These investors are imp

a?" I ask, watc

-shoulder one."I'm right here," she says sweetly, but her eyes are sharp and cold. "Din

ills the air. She's holding the Patek Philippe silver watch I gave Ca

her fingers. "But Carlos has always li

g in his eyes. "Ignore her, Em

ouch beside him, her leg brushing h

ily here, right? No sec

than others

des. "What's that

r, a small voice b

have ice cream if I sta

way, fully dressed. No p

"Mateo, it's late! Y

d," he says, poi

panic rising in his voic

problem. "This is all her fault

" Carlo

tly, leaning in. "Go ahead, Ma

with shaking hands. "Kids say silly things whe

He stands firm. "No! I

Daniela glance at each other, ner

sk. My heart starts ra

who shoots him a deadl

ving here. I miss our old pla

nd the way they keep looking at each ot

irs," Carlos gr

oo rough. "Let's go. Th

k at me, cold and calm. "She does

ey're gone. Then he turns to

ting used to everything. T

standing. "What exactly

hands. "Daniela spoils him since her h

live before?"

aught off gu

nt. You told me they lived with her

kly, "Downtown. Near the busines

cause you never said anyt

n his cheek returns. "Maybe I g

important thing

hear Daniela's heels on the stairs

. Though he'

I ask, not brea

hing's about you. Mateo misses his fat

guest list for tomorrow's fundraiser? Alejandro Vega is showing the h

ct? I hear he's hard to work with.

reply. His face darkens. He

tion matters," he says coldly. "She as

my friend. And the money'

s in his eyes, fe

going to bed." She kisses Carlos o

and reaches for my hand. "Let

close. Kisses my neck. Sta

er. Let me make it up

, his late-night calls, the trips that didn't

s I'm not respondi

red," I lie,

e whines. "Feels like yo

trying to twist thi

the only one trying," I wh

all I give you? This hous

bought?" I snap. "Let's not forge

en times over!" he shouts. "Your

eritance. And my thesis, you turne

his hair. "I'm not doing this

r. Water runs. I lie ther

oice. Daniela's talking on the pho

, clean. He gets into be

What would happen to my f

ould you ask that?"

d be gone. The money comes fr

lose their help?

want?" The threat is clear. Leave, and lose eve

s away. In the dark, I stare at the ceiling. I see it now. The co

one b

ejandro Vega is brilliant and kind. You'll love his v

dation. I'll talk to Sofia about

vive. But not for