“As a worldly man, you must understand how important the first time is for a woman? Well, I was no exception. After my first time with Martin, I didn’t want anything to do with Laurent, but my engagement was too far along and I couldn’t simply break things off with my fiancé out of nowhere, especially when my father was so happy with the relationship. I asked Martin to give me time to end my engagement and he did—initially—but as more misunderstandings and humiliations took place, he took the ultimate revenge.” Her voice turned into a whisper. “He was intimate with my best friend.”

Silvia, just like I’d imagined.

“That was the last straw. I married Laurent one month later.”

“And now?”

“And now, Laurent and I have an understanding. He has his friends, and I have Martin. It’s a comfortable arrangement and I thought I was fine with it until Silvia came back.” She squeezed the handkerchief. “I can’t stand the sight of them together! After seeing them at the party, I haven’t been able to think of anything else but the two of them in bed, laughing at me.”

“Did he . . .” I couldn’t even word my question properly. “Did he express an interest in her again?”

“No, but I know him. He can’t resist any woman.” She tightened the belt of her burnt-orange silk robe. “That’s why I refuse to have kids; why you saw me at Soledad’s house the other day. She gives me some herbs to prevent pregnancy.”

My thoughts were still on her earlier comment.

“But if he’s not a faithful man,” I said, “then why are you still with him? Why do you continue to suffer when you made your choice a long time ago?”

“Because Martin is mine. I will never give him up.”

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 39

I’d barely been able to sleep after my conversation with Angélica. My head had been spinning all night with thoughts of Martin. He was not only my sister’s lover; he was apparently the lover of every pair of legs in town. My initial reaction had been to believe her, to think the worst of him. But now, I wasn’t so sure that everything she said was true—not after what Martin and I had shared. Was I being obtuse to think that what happened between us had been special? Had he been using me all along?

Enough!

I couldn’t let my feelings for him distract me any longer. I had to focus. I needed to end this farce once and for all. And in order to do that, I must figure out who was behind Cristóbal’s murder.