My heart collapsed. Clara’s frown deepened, as though she had just discovered something inconvenient in her husband’s family background.
Adrián gently rested a hand on my shoulder.
“No, Mateo,” he said, his tone soft but unwavering. “This is Isabel — the most hardworking, honest woman I’ve ever known. And someone who means a great deal to me.”
A heavy silence settled over us. Mateo’s face turned crimson. To him, this wedding was his moment to impress the business crowd surrounding his father-in-law. And now, the very man whose presence made people whisper was publicly acknowledging me with profound respect.
Clara looked at him — not embarrassed of me, but embarrassed for him.
“Why didn’t you tell me your mother knew a Vega?” she whispered, irritated.
“I didn’t know,” Mateo stammered.
But Adrián didn’t stop there. He stood up, approached the DJ, took the microphone, and called for everyone’s attention. I thought I might faint.
“Before we continue,” he announced, “I want to say a few words about someone who was placed at the back of this room.”
My eyes widened. I wanted to disappear beneath the table. But there was no escape.
