You nodded, though it was not true.
You had taken a rideshare to the hotel because parking downtown cost more than half your grocery budget for the week. You had planned to leave quietly after dessert, take Mateo home, and pretend the night had not broken you.
Julian saw the lie.
“Let me have my driver take you.”
Isabella screamed.
“You are not sending your car to her.”
Julian looked at her sadly.
“My car was never the issue, Isabella.”
That was when your father finally stood.
For one foolish second, hope moved inside you.
He walked toward you, face pale.
“Elena,” he said.
You waited.
He looked at Mateo, then at the guests, then at Isabella sobbing near the floral arch.
“This has gone too far,” he said.
You nodded.
Then he added, “Please apologize to your sister so everyone can calm down.”
The last piece of hope died so quietly you almost missed it.
