Chapter 200. Text Messages

Days had passed since Rico’s confrontation with his mother, but the house still felt like it was holding its breath.

Donna Marta had barely come out of her room. The doors remained shut most of the time, and the few times she stepped out, it was brief and quiet, like she didn’t want to be seen. She would skip breakfast... or at least only eat once Rico wasn't around.

The woman who once moved through the house with quiet authority now seemed… smaller.

Rico never asked about her. He moved like nothing had changed, like that conversation hadn’t cracked something open between them. He spent most of his time out during the day, leaving early, coming back late, already dressed in work before anyone could even suggest rest. 

The wound on his shoulder was still healing, and Calla had tried—more than once—to make him slow down, to at l