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"Oh, Alina." I hug her, closing my eyes. "It came from someplace good, eh. I'm not mad. You know how much I love Santi."
She cups my face in her hands looking at me. ''I want you to be my daughter-in-law more than anything. You're beautiful, and you're amazing. The way you love… is pure." The bridge of my nose tingles. "But... don't waste it on Santi. He's my son, and I love him with everything I am, but I love you, too, Elena. I love you like the daughter I didn't have. I know he's difficult and…"
"You talked to my parents."
It dawns on me.
My brother talked to my mother and father. He told them about me and Santi. That we would never work. One-sided love dwindles out. It's hard work when only one side feeds the flame, and there is only coldness on the other side. No love can survive if you're trying to compensate for the lack of the other person's love.
"It wasn't like that. It's…"
The front door opens, and Santi walks in. "Hey, mom…" He pauses when his eyes land on me. Cold. But not as hard as the ice sliding in my veins. Evelyn is standing behind him with a bright smile. "I wanted you to meet. Evelyn." He turns. "Evelyn, this is my mother, Alina."
Alina blinks, and I know she wants to do the right thing. She wants to make everyone happy even though my heart is breaking. She smiles at Evelyn politely.
"Hi, Evelyn. It's good to meet you." Alina looks between me and Evelyn. She tries to hide the hurt in her eyes when she looks at me.
He brought a girl home to meet his mother.
"I've known Evelyn since senior year," Santi says, "she transferred in the last semester and then got accepted to Hillside University. We've been seeing each other for almost a month."
"She must know the guys, Mia, Maya, and…" Alina glances at me. "Elena."
"Oh yes," Evelyn says with a smile like something Alina said was funny. "Everyone knows Elena when it comes to Santi. She's always around."
She laughs, but no one joins in.
I look around the floor and say, "It was good seeing you again, Evelyn. But… I was just leaving." I slide my feet in my designer sandals. I grab my blanket, fold it, put my hair up in a messy bun, and grab my bag.
"Are you sure?" Alina says concern etched in her voice.
"I got homework. I had to change classes this week, and I'm falling behind a bit."
"You don't have to leave," Santi says, walking closer.
I pinch my brows and stare at a cream vase Alina has on a table behind him. I don't want him to see how hurt I feel or the tears I'm trying to hold back.
My cell phone vibrates in my small shoulder bag. I pull it out, and it's Xena.
Xena: Wait to play the pinche video until you are alone. I mean it, Elena. Promise me. Only us girls have it.
Xena: Tell me you won't, Elena, or I'll edit the text and delete it.
Elena: I won't. You have my word.
A video of what.
"Is everything alright?" Santi asks, but I ignore him, sliding my phone back into my bag.
"I'm good. I need to help Xena with homework. It's why I gotta go. I lean over the backside of the couch and kiss Alina, knowing it's the last time I will have a movie night with her.
"Are you sure?" Alina says.
"We'll do this another time," I lie, giving her a wan smile. "You have Evelyn. She'll keep you company." But the look in Alina's eyes tells me she doesn't like Evelyn.
I walk past Santiago without saying goodbye and feel his gaze as I walk out the front door of his parents' beautiful home.
My phone vibrates again.
