wer without excuses.

“If either of you came here thinking about what you might have received if you had known the truth, stop now.”

Hugo looked up.

“I didn’t come for money.”

“You came after seeing the house.”

“I went to your apartment because I didn’t know where you were.”

“After you saw the picture.”

He had no answer.

“The money didn’t change who I am, Hugo. It changed the way you looked at me.”

He covered his face.

“I love you.”

“Then tell me the last time you defended me.”

His hands dropped.

“When Carla criticized my clothes?”

Nothing.

“When Olivia stopped being invited?”

Silence.

“When Mauricio was told to clean his hands before touching the furniture?”

His face twisted.

“I laughed.”

“Yes.”

“I was uncomfortable.”

“Your discomfort became his humiliation.”

He nodded.

“When Carla decided I wasn’t polished enough to sit with her parents, who called me?”

“I did.”

“You didn’t simply fail to defend me. You delivered the message.”

“I thought giving in would make things easier.”

“It did.”

He looked at me.