A week passes by in a blur during our occupation of the Navarro estate.
I’m surprised by how normal it feels. How life seems to be moving on without the past distorting it. My mother, Mila and I have settled into living here.
The house and most of the people in it are welcoming. Our needs are met, and we have no reason to complain. I go back to attending my classes, and I try my best not to think about Rafaelle.
Although most days it proves to be an impossible task.
We also don’t see too much of Ignacio. He’s a drug lord after all, and usually he’s away running his business. Santiago disappears often as well. My brother can’t seem to be able to stand the house, or maybe it’s my presence here that he can’t stand. He has continued to keep his distance, and I’ve tried not to care too much.
What matters is that I have my daughter and she’s safe. And I’m safe.
Mama and I are having breakfast when Ignacio strolls obnoxiously into the dining room. I watch as she visibly stiffens but doesn’t react, concentrating on her meal.
Neither of them interact at all. The day we arrived, my mom said a couple of words to him in private and since then he has taken care to leave her alone.
Which I’m glad for. They have a terrible history. I’m not a child pining for her parents to get back together. I honestly prefer them apart.
“Liliana,” he greets, warming.
He’s dressed immaculately as always in an expensive looking pin stripped suit. I’ve come to notice that appearance is everything to him and almost nothing ever fazes him. He seems like he’s always in control, with a permanent calculating look in his brown eyes.
“Good morning, father,” I murmur.
The word comes easier to me now but I still have a hard time showing him any affection. He doesn’t seem to care though.
“I came over to inform you that there will be a gala to welcome you back this weekend.”
My eyebrows rise, “A what?”
“A gala, Liliana. It’s a formal party filled with esteemed guests.”
“I know what a gala is. I just don’t understand why it’s necessary.”
The thought of being the object of an event like that makes my skin crawl.
“You were kept away from your birthright for far too long, mi estrella. This will be your formal reintroduction back. There are many within our ranks desperate to catch a glimpse of you.”
I shift in my seat nervously.
“Don’t worry,” he says, noticing my discomfort. “No one will find out about Mila. I’ll make sure she’s safe and protected for the duration of the gala. Away from prying eyes.”
“I will stay with her,” my mother interjects.
“Of course,” Ignacio states glancing at her briefly before his eyes land back on me. “This will be a fun event for you, Liliana. I guarantee it.”
It’s pretty clear he has no intention of changing his mind.
All I can think is that this gala sounds like a really bad idea.
CHAPTER TWENTY
RAFAELLE
The smell of the cigarettes I smoked earlier clings to me as I lower myself onto the floor in my niece’s playroom. Lucia’s a couple of feet away, too enthralled with her dolls to notice me, which is fine with me.
I didn’t come in here to play with her. I came in here to feel something.
My nieces and nephews are the perfect way to do that.
