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I jump in my seat.
“Stop skirting the issue!” he bellows. “Answer the fucking question!”
I hiccup on a sob.
“Do I need to disown you, Sofia?”
The razor-sharp blade beneath his words slashes my heart.
He levels me with a stare that could freeze Antarctica, Siberia, and the North Pole. “Do I?”
My body flushes hot, then cold.
In desperate need to buy myself some time, my gaze sweeps around the table.
Mom’s complexion resembles the color of chalk.
A shadow slides across Ciara’s face, her expression morose.
Before speaking the words that will hang me and shatter my family, I read it all in their eyes.
Disappointment.
Judgement.
Condemnation.
It’s like a herd of elephants are stomping on my heart.
I expected to lose their respect. Not their love.
I want to die of mortification.
“I—” I press a hand against my bouncing knee. “I—”
I can’t breathe.
The doorbell rings.
Four pairs of eyes shoot in the direction of the front door.
Dad waves a menacing finger at me. “Sofia Cristina Herrera, don’t you dare get up!” I’m paralyzed with fear. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to move. “Whoever is out there will get the message and they’ll leave.”
My frantic eyes bounce from his to the door.
“As God is my witness, if you don’t answer me, I’m going to shake the answer out of you,” Dad rumbles in a deep voice. An inferno rages in his eyes.
My pulse thumps.
“Emilio, cálmate,” Mom says.
Translation: Emilio, calm down.
“Don’t tell me—”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Chapter 38
