Everything made sense now: why Angélica had left the house that night while her husband was away playing cards and she thought everyone was sleeping; why at times Martin seemed so irritated by Laurent’s presence or his nearness toward Angélica. My suspicions about Laurent liking men, and why there seemed to be a mere companionship, not affection and certainly no sexual tension, between Angélica and her husband. It also explained why Martin was a still a bachelor. A man his age would’ve found a woman to settle with by now instead of fulfilling his urges with prostitutes until Angélica could come to him during Corazones night.

For how long had this been going on? And what did Silvia have to do with them? Had Martin cheated on Angélica with this woman? Catalina had mentioned a rupture between the two friends. And then, last night at the party, Martin had wanted to leave as soon as that woman had arrived and had avoided talking to either one of them.

I’d been such a fool. I’d fallen directly into Martin’s trap. He’d been on Angélica’s side from the very beginning. He’d wanted my father’s land all along. The worse part was that I’d known this. He’d even made an offer to buy my share of the estate. He’d been trying to get his hands on the plantation in every possible way he could: if not through Angélica, then by purchasing my part, and since neither one worked, he was going to get it through me.

What better way to get full control of the plantation than by having the majority holder fall in love with him? That was why he hadn’t told Angélica about me. Because I was certain now that she didn’t know. I could see it in her humiliation a moment ago. If Angélica had thought for a second that I was a woman, her jealousy would’ve multiplied. Instead, her anger had dissipated when she realized that I wasn’t a threat, that I didn’t want her man.

How could I have been so stupid?

I walked for a long time and, without realizing it, I reached the first houses in Vinces. I slowed my pace, more out of surprise than tiredness, and continued toward the plaza. I reached the park next to the miniature Eiffel Tower and sat on a bench. Undoubtedly, Martin would tell Angélica about me now. There was no reason to keep covering up for me.

I sat there for a few minutes, leaning forward with my hands pressed against my eyes until I heard a familiar voice.

“Don Cristóbal?”

I raised my head and recognized Aquilino, who waved at me and crossed the street in my direction.

“Don Tomás, what are you doing here?”