Chapter 236: Final Goodbye
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his breath ragged as he stepped into the cool air outside the courthouse.
"We need to go to the hospital," he said, turning toward the parking lot. But Rafael stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"Not yet," Rafael said, his eyes sharp. "Who is Maria really... to Mara? And why the hell did you hide that from me?"
Ethan’s jaw clenched. "You want to do this now? Here? With Mara at the hospital, holding a child who just lost her mother?"
"I’m not moving," Rafael replied coldly. "She’s my girlfriend. She needs me — not you. Don’t get it twisted."
Ethan stared at him, silent for a long beat, then walked around and got into the driver’s seat. Rafael hesitated, cursed under his breath, then climbed in beside him.
As the engine roared to life and the tires rolled out of the courthouse gates, Rafael turned sharply toward him.
"Now speak," he said, his voice low and hard. "All of it." Ethan’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"Before Mara found her family, she was living in Eldorado. She was just ten when she was placed with that... family — the ones you heard about. They were cruel to her. Treated her like she didn’t matter. But then she met Maria Isabel."
He swallowed thickly.
"They became inseparable. Sisters in every way but blood. Mara moved in with Maria’s family unofficially. They were happier then."