“What do you mean you can’t promise? How is it out of your hands? Don’t tell me you just let her go?”

It’s my turn to look away in shame, that darkness descending again. That absence of Mercedes. The knowledge of what I did.

“Jesus. You’re a real prick, you know that?” She stands, snatches up the piece of paper, and walks out of my office, slamming the door behind her.

11

Mercedes

“Mercedes.” A gentle hand settles over my back, and I squeeze my eyes shut, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

I don’t know how many days I’ve been at the manor now. I just know I can’t bring myself to get out of bed. I can’t stop crying. I can’t let go of the pain. But most importantly, I can’t forget Judge’s final words echoing through my mind. His declaration that he couldn’t marry me.

That simple denial haunts me, day and night. Every waking second. In my heart, I always knew it would come to this. He told me he’d never marry me, and I had prepared for it. I just didn’t expect that to be the last thing he’d ever say to me. I didn’t expect him to let me go so easily—as if it wasn’t breaking him in half the way it was breaking me. He’s rid himself of me completely, sending my things back without a protest. Not a word. Not… anything.

“Mercedes.” Antonia’s soft voice comes again as she tries to stir me from my melancholy. “Please, sweetheart. You can’t stay here forever. You need to eat.”

A fresh wave of anguish pierces my heart because I know she’s right. I can’t stay here forever. I need to pull myself together and take care of my babies. But even just the thought of getting out of bed feels like too much to accomplish.

“Antonia, can you give us a moment?”

I recognize the voice from the door as Ivy’s. She’s been to see me every day since I’ve been here, unlike Santiago. At least that’s one thing I can be grateful for. I don’t think I could take another verbal lashing from him in my current state. And while Ivy and I have always been on tenuous ground, I have to admit it’s surprised me that she hasn’t come here to gloat. She could have kicked me when I was down, and I wouldn’t blame her for it. But I don’t think that’s why she keeps showing up every day.

“Of course.” Antonia gives my shoulder one last squeeze and moves from the bed. “There’s food just there. Maybe you can get her to eat something.”