AYLA
I finished my breakfast as quickly as I could, feeling the weight of Beta Lucas’s watchful eyes on me. The tension in the dining room was suffocating, and I knew staying there any longer would only invite more questions I wasn’t ready to answer.
Brenda and Corazon, my ever-loyal maids, were already standing by, ready to follow me wherever I went. As soon as I placed my fork down, I stood up, muttered a vague excuse about needing to rest, and headed back to my room with them trailing close behind.
Once inside, I let out a relieved sigh, but before the maids could even shut the door, Norton and my mother, Lucille, barged in. My heart sank. Of course, they weren’t going to let this go.
“Who is he?” Norton demanded, his tone sharp and accusing. His eyes blazed with anger, and I kn
