“Do you mind if I step out to a private area? I need to contact my friend Ricardo immediately to set this meeting up,” Elias asked Mario.
“Oh! I’ll come with. I need to call Amir and update him.” I saw an opportunity to check on my husband. “I do hope you’ll excuse us.”
Mario gave Elias a long look, then flicked his sardonic gaze toward me.
“Ximena, when did you start hanging out with the gente pretenciosas?” he laughed. “Just go into the backyard. We’re not going anywhere.”
As I turned toward the sliding door, I noticed something I hadn’t before: a faded, heart‑shaped Valentine’s decoration taped crookedly to the glass. The glitter had mostly fallen off, leaving behind a dull red outline. It felt wildly out of place in this house — like a joke the universe was playing.
I stepped into
