Mio marito ha invitato il suo capo a casa nostra, ma poco prima di arrivare mi ha guardato con disgusto e ha sussurrato: “Resta in camera da letto. Mi vergogno di averti visto così. Se il mio capo ti vede, rovinerai la mia promozione.”

The words hung in the silent living room.

Mariana stared at him and, for the first time in a decade, saw him clearly. “So you stayed to protect your reputation.”

Alejandro realized his mistake a second too late. “That’s not what I meant—”

“That is exactly what you said.”

“In the beginning, I stayed because I loved you!” he insisted, his voice rising defensive anger. “Because you were completely broken! I’m the one who dragged you to therapy! I’m the one who cooked your meals!