I Thought twice before answering Don Diego. My mind scrambled for an answer that wouldn't make him mad.
"Yes, papá," I finally said.
He took a slow drag from his cigar before exhaling. The smoke curled in the air between us, weighing down the silence.
"Camila is getting married in twenty-seven days," he pointed out. "And if things go well, Rosa will follow suit soon after."
I nodded stiffly, not trusting myself to speak.
"To Axel."
The moment he said his name, my heart twisted painfully.
Axel.
Rosa.
Married.
The words hit me like Marisa had hit me with a kitchen spoon, knocking the air right out of my lungs. My entire body locked up, the blood rushing to my ears and creating a deafening roar that drowned out the quiet crackling of the cigar.
No. No, I must have misheard.
I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails digging into my palms. Pain was good. Pain kept me from reacting.
Despite all, I forced myself to keep my expression blank.
