But for the first time, one distinction was perfectly clear.
Leaving the hospital seven years earlier had been her choice.
Remaining isolated ever since had been his.
That evening, Alejandro texted that strategy meetings with Sergio were running late and he wouldn’t be home for hours.
At nine, Mariana stood by the living-room window, watching the street.
A dark sedan pulled up.
Alejandro stepped out of the passenger seat.
The driver was a sleek, dark-haired woman Mariana recognized from the company executive directory.
Chloe.
Before Alejandro could close the door, Chloe reached across the console and took his hand.
He didn’t pull away.
Instead, he squeezed her fingers and gave her a soft, lingering smile.
It wasn’t a casual gesture between coworkers.
It was intimate.
Familiar.
Practiced.
Five minutes later, Alejandro entered the condo and tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa. “What a night. Sergio had us locked in a conference room until twenty minutes ago going over the final promotion details.”
