Chapter 245: You are wrong
Inside the room, Mara lay on her bed, her body still humming with the memory of Rafael’s hands, his kisses, the way he whispered, "wait for me." She smiled faintly, tracing invisible shapes on her bedsheet. She imagined the surprise he’d promised—maybe flowers, maybe a planned dinner, or something bold like a weekend away. Maybe even...
Her smile deepened. A proposal.
In her mind’s eye, she saw it: her in a white dress, Rafael waiting at the altar with that boyish grin, surrounded by her brothers, by her children, by love. A life she’d only dared to imagine until now. For once, her heart felt full.
Then the door opened.
Steve, Stefan, Stanley, and Stanford stepped inside—silent, still, their faces carved in grief.
Mara sat up slowly. "What’s going on?"
They didn’t speak.
Steve moved first, sitting beside her on the bed. Then Stanley knelt in front of her, gently taking her hand. Stanford stood by the window, his fists clenched. Stefan leaned against the doorway like he couldn’t bear to take another step.
Mara blinked. "What came over you guys?" No one answered.
She looked between them, the unease rising in her chest like a slow, suffocating tide. Still, silence. Then, all at once, they moved toward her, surrounding her in a quiet, desperate embrace. Strong arms wrapped around her from all sides. They held her like they could shield her from the truth with the weight of their love.
Mara’s breath hitched. "Why are you hugging me like this?"