Isab

too dense. I watch my father's hands hold the cards with a

ace impassive as he raises the stakes. This game stopped being a simp

ellano says, pushing chips t

The last shipments were intercepted, our coffers are empty and the only money

n, I can see the cards of both of them. Castellano has royal flus

room freezes. My father's face harde

ur side today, Antonio," Cast

yone, even me," my father rep

s a ledger on the table. "That's five hundred th

ible to achieve that amo

sounds strangely humble. "You know I always pay my d

Antonio. Monday, or I'l

lating and despairing in silence. Then his gaze drifts to me.

nally says. "A deal that w

an eyebrow, intere

son Isidro needs a wife. A union between

under my feet. Is he of

sing eyes and I stand my ground,

marriage alliance might be benefici

ly replies. "The debt will b

ul. "The wedding could take place in three m

guar

at me. "He will live in my house unt

. A prisoner exchange

interject, but hi

my father, with

h a handshake. I feel nause

stellano says, getting up. "My daughte

hot. A farce on top of another farce. A man who

lence, but as soon as we enter my

ream, forgetting to keep my voice l

" my father commands.

tellano to save your ass! What do you think

me. The slap ech

bring my hand very

you won't let them. This is temporary, Isidro. I jus

d voice. "Will you call off the engag

replies simply, pouring him

ould I go? The whole world knows me as Isidro Ricci. Isabel

" I ask, already k

eyes. "You won't refuse. It's fo

the family. As if I were pa

says. "Tomorrow you

ntity? The bandage

rrupts me. "You'll keep your room loc

cal problems are mine

Maybe I've forgotten how to cry and have become an unfeeling robot after all.

s, everything that keeps the lie alive. I also pack the bandages, the shoes with disc

of my mother. She was beautiful, with a sad smile. What woul

of the suitcase. At least I'll have s

with special care and put on one of my best sui

his is temporary. Keep your eyes open, don't do anything suspic

g. I wonder if he ever saw me as his d

" I repl

watch the mansion where I have lived all my life drive away throu

een so impriso