Chapter 27: _ He Likes You
I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It still doesn’t make sense, Juana. If he really cared, he would’ve stepped in when I needed him the most. Watching me cry and then throwing money at the problem doesn’t exactly scream ’knight in shining armor.’"
Juana squeezed my hand. "I get it. I do. And I’m not saying it’s the perfect way to handle things. But María José, you’ve been through so much. Maybe Axel doesn’t know how to approach you. Maybe he’s trying to figure it out, just like you are."
Her words struck a chord, and I felt a pang of guilt for being so dismissive. Or for saying I’d never see him in the same light.
"I just... I don’t want to get my hopes up, Juana. Not about him. Not about anything."
"I get that too. But listen to me: if Axel is the one who dropped that money—and I’m betting everything I’ve got that he is—then it means he cares. And if he cares, that’s something worth holding onto, even if it’s just a little hope." She pressed her lips together, shaking our entwined hands.
"And what about Rosa? She’s made it clear that Axel is off-limits. If she finds out I’ve even thought about him—"
I didn’t even want to think about it. My sister would literally hit me. She’d beat me to a pulp. That’s Rosa for you—full of action and fewer words.
Devious, mean, and harsh actions. I was weak, it’d be stupid to fight a battle I knew I’d definitely loose.
I didn’t want to be a victim.