Rosa’s POV
“I’m Cat,” the lady was saying, a smirk dancing on her lips, when Alex rushed to my side.
He didn’t say a word. He simply pulled me away, his grip firm, and led me back to our room. Once the door closed, he squeezed my hand tightly, like he was scared I might slip through his fingers.
“How are you, Rose?” he asked. His eyes searched my face, as if he was trying to read the truth I hadn’t yet decided to speak.
“Who is she?” I demanded. “The woman you were with.”
“Catarina? She’s your cousin.”
“No,” I said, sitting down hard on the bed. I knew all my cousins. Anger churned in my chest. I had been gone for just a couple of hours, and somehow a cousin had found her way onto his lap.
“It’s not what you think,” he added quickly. “I was looking for your old room—”
“I don’t w
