Gabriela swiped a shaky hand over her eyes, clearing away her tears. “You will always be welcome here. We want you at home with us. I love you.” A watery laugh bubbled from her chest, a resurgence of her earlier joy. “I still can’t believe you’re here. I’m so happy I could burst.” Her dark eyes flicked to me. “And I’m happy you’re here, Raúl. You brought my sister back to me.”
She turned a grin on Marisol and linked their arms. “Come on,” she urged, tugging Marisol toward the kitchen. “Let’s all sit down, and you can tell me everything that’s happened.”
I turned to watch them wedge themselves into the tiny kitchen, but I didn’t follow; there wasn’t space for me. As they bustled around—gathering drinks and snacks as though this was just another day in their normal routine—I took a few minutes to study my surroundings.
Marisol had told me her home was small but full of love. The house completely lived up to her description. Each room was made distinct by its own unique, almost aggressively cheery paint color. The living room was tangerine, and the two matchbox bedrooms I glimpsed through open doors practically glowed in sunflower yellow and verdant green. Even the tiny bathroom was bright blue.
The overall effect was a bit jarring, but Marisol appeared utterly serene as she floated around the apple red kitchen. I made a mental note to ask her if she might want to make a few changes in my house. I’d always favored my austere décor, without frills or pretense. But it was her home, too. I wanted it to be ours. Together.
She approached me with an oversized tray in hand, balancing three glasses and a pitcher of agua fresca. Without thinking, I took it from her and tipped my chin, indicating that she should lead the way.
Gabriela’s soft sigh caught my attention, and I noticed that she was looking at the tray in my hands and at Marisol’s devoted smile.
My own lips curved with satisfaction, and I stood a little taller. I liked that her sister approved of me. So far, this reunion was going better than I ever could’ve hoped. I’d anticipated her family’s joy at seeing her, but I’d never imagined that any of them would welcome me.
For the first time in my life, I was getting a glimpse at what a loving family looked like. Watching the sisters interact, their deep bond was evident in their every movement—from the easy affection the offered one another to their shared mannerisms.
Gabriela hadn’t cringed away from me. She hadn’t seen a monster looming behind her beloved big sister. She’d seen a good man; a man who would do absolutely anything to ensure Marisol’s complete happiness.
It might take time, but I will never stop showing you who you really are, Raúl. I will never stop seeing the goodness in you. One day, you’ll see it too.
From the very beginning, what I’d wanted most was to protect Marisol. I’d been ruthless and fiercely possessive, but I’d never hurt her. I cherished her and provided for her. I always would.
You are not evil. My new truth rang through my mind in Marisol’s fervent voice.
Maybe evil wasn’t in my blood. Maybe I could give her everything she wanted, including children.
Our children. Our family.
Her luminous smile warmed me like sunlight, bright enough to reach even the darkest corners of my heart.
Yes, I wanted a future with this perfect woman. I wanted a family of our own.
I wanted it all.
Chapter 25
Marisol
I settled back in the rigid, metal chair with a blissful sigh, feeling as though I was floating on a cloud. Gabriela was showing Raúl around our back garden while I lounged in the shade beneath the modest, rough-hewn gazebo I’d helped my father build when I was barely eleven years old. Our house was located in a less affluent neighborhood on the outskirts of town, but that meant we had a lush patch of green space in the backyard.
Raúl followed my little sister around the garden, listening to her gush over each precious bloom on every bush and stem. His intermittent hums of appreciation and approving grunts floated through the warm air like the most beautiful music, and Gabriela practically glowed at his genuine interest in her enthusiasm.
“Raúl has his own garden at home,” I supplied when they neared the end of her tour. My taciturn savior would never boast about his home, but I was more than happy to express my pride in him.
Gabriela turned to him with an almost worshipful gaze. “You do?”
I loved seeing the way his massive body swelled with satisfaction under her obvious awe of him. A small, pleased smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but he simply nodded rather than offering a verbal reply.
“It’s a vegetable garden,” I continued. “Raúl provides what we need for nearly every meal, and he’s particularly skilled at growing a wide variety of chili plants. He makes his own hot sauce.”
Gabriela’s eyes widened to saucers. “Wow. You cook, too?”
He let out a rueful chuckle and shook his head. “No, Marisol saved me from myself when it comes to cooking. I just provide the ingredients.”
Before he could deflect the praise, I made sure to let my sister know how incredible this protective, nurturing man was. “When I told him about our family florist, he surprised me with a huge order of flowers the very next day,” I gushed. “Dahlias, gladioli, roses… They’re so beautiful and perfect.” I stood to brush a kiss over his cheek. “You’re so good to me. I love you, Raúl.”
I made the declaration just as much for his benefit as Gabriela’s. I wanted my family to know how well Raúl treated me, and how much we loved each other. I wanted them to be happy knowing that we were together.
More than anything, I longed for my father’s blessing. I was thrilled to be home, but I would have to gently break the news that I intended to live with Raúl permanently. I couldn’t bear it if my father disapproved. I couldn’t hurt him like that again.
As though summoned by my thoughts, my father’s voice called out from inside the house. “Gabriela?”
Like the sensation of jumping off a cliff, my stomach dropped with an equal mix of thrill and fear. My sweet little sister had welcomed me home with open arms. What if my father felt differently? He’d loved my mother so much, and I was the reason she’d been taken from him forever.
“We’re out here!” Gabriela called, her voice soaring with unmitigated joy.
Papá appeared at the back door, with Mario’s tiny hand caught firm in his grasp. The achingly familiar sight of the weather-beaten, craggy face of the man who’d raised me with his own brand of stern love made my breath harden to stone in my lungs.
He froze in the open threshold, his jaw hanging open to reveal his slightly crooked bottom teeth. His shocked silence seemed to last an eternity, and my chest began to burn from my inability to draw in oxygen.
Marisol. His lips shaped around my name, but no sound came out.
Faster than I could blink, his stocky frame barreled into me, and his sinewy arms closed around my back to crush me against his chest. He buried his face in my hair, and his entire body shuddered on wracking sobs.
“Mija…” He held me as though I was a miracle, a fantastical presence that was too wonderous to be real.