Retreating to her room, Adela snapped the door shut behind her then slowly sank down on the floor. Being powerless in the midst of so many powerful figures left her feeling small and insignificant. She took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart .
The predictable knocks on her door came all too soon, but Adela was in no state to face anyone at that moment. She reached out and locked the door then leaned back. Feeling the cool surface against her arms, she closed her eyes.
"Adela! Please! I didn't keep it away from you intentionally. Things are much more complicated than you think they are. Please… Open the door for me!"
Larissa's soft pleas continued from behind the door, but Adela refused to listen. She had endured all the secrecy from her parents and had extended the same courtesy to both of them when it came to recent developments in her own life. However, she had never imagined that her older sister would deliver such a devastating blow.