As I headed inside, I had to ignore the stares of the workers and maids as I passed. The whispers. The judgment.
I was used to it by now.
"María José is cursed."
"She brought this upon herself."
"No wonder Don Diego has to be strict with her."
I didn't care.
I needed to find Juana.
Father had summoned her earlier and I needed to know why. I could only hope deep down, that she wasn't in any form of trouble because of me.
I searched the halls, peering into rooms, scanning for the one person in this entire house who had ever been kind to me. My best friend.
When I couldn't find her, I stopped one of the younger maids. "Have you seen Juana?"
The girl stiffened, her eyes darting around nervously. "I—I don't know."
I frowned. "What do you mean, you don't know? She works here."
The maid took a step back, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I have to go," she muttered before bolting away as if speaking to me would get her killed.
Panic wriggled its way into my chest.
