My husband invited his boss to our house, but just before he arrived, he looked at me with disgust and whispered, “Stay in the bedroom. I’m ashamed to have you seen like this. If my boss sees you, you’ll ruin my promotion.”

the tragedy with our daughter, she’s been extremely fragile. She can hardly tolerate being around strangers.”

Mariana lifted her head, her stomach sinking.

“That must be very difficult on you,” Sergio observed sympathetically.

Alejandro sighed heavily. “Well, you don’t abandon someone when they’re broken. I’ve had to cancel business trips, miss important meetings, even pass up career opportunities because she calls me having a panic attack and I have to rush home. Some weeks, she practically doesn’t leave the house.”

A cold chill moved down Mariana’s spine.

None of it