Book 3: Chapter 36

Marcela opened her mouth to reply, her expression gleeful, as if she were about to make some sly comment, but her words were interrupted by a deep, familiar voice from behind her.

“Esme?”

Both women turned, and there stood Santiago, his expression one of shock and faint surprise. His gaze shifted between Marcela and Esmeralda, lingering a moment longer on Esmeralda, as if trying to process her unexpected presence. There was a tension in his posture, a momentary falter that made Esmeralda’s heart twist with an inexplicable mixture of hope and resentment.

Marcela recovered quickly, turning to Santiago with a feigned casualness. “I was just about to let her in, but—”

Santiago waved her off with a dismissive hand, his focus remaining on Esmeralda. “You can go about whatever you were doing before,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Marcela hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced back at Esmeralda, her annoyance barely concealed. B