12

Gabriel sat on the edge of their small bed, his hands clasped together, deep in thought. The events of the past few days had unsettled him, and he couldn't ignore them anymore. Marco's behavior, the late-night visitors, the expensive car that seemed out of place—it all pointed to something dangerous.

Elena entered the room, pulling her hair into a loose bun after a long day at the café. She immediately noticed his troubled expression.

"What's wrong?" she asked, sitting beside him.

Gabriel sighed, running a hand over his face. "It's Marco."

Elena's brows furrowed. "What about him?"

Gabriel hesitated, then told her everything—the exchange he had witnessed, the man in the black sedan, and the way Lucia had avoided his questions.

Elena's expression darkened. "I've noticed things too," she admitted. "Sometimes, Marco comes home smelling like smoke and alcohol, and not the kind you get from a casual night out. I've also seen Lucia stash money in strange places around the house. I didn't want to assume the worst, but…"

"But it's adding up," Gabriel finished grimly.

Elena nodded. "I confronted Lucia about it once, just casually asked about Marco's business. She shut me down immediately. Told me not to worry about it."

Gabriel frowned. "That's exactly how she reacted when I asked. It's like she's protecting him."

Elena sighed, standing up to pace the room. "Lucia's always been headstrong. If she believes in something—or someone—she won't back down. But this? This isn't just stubbornness. She's hiding something."

Gabriel stood, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Elena, I don't think we should stay here much longer."

She met his gaze, understanding flashing in her dark eyes. "You're right. As grateful as we are to them, we can't ignore the signs. Whatever Marco is involved in, it's not safe. And if Lucia won't be honest with us…" She shook her head. "Then we can't risk getting caught up in it."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their decision pressing down on them.

"We need to talk to her one last time," Elena said finally. "If she won't tell us the truth, then we leave."

Gabriel nodded. "Agreed."

The next evening, after dinner, Elena found her sister in the kitchen, tidying up. The children had already gone to bed, and Marco was in the garage, working on his motorcycle. It was the perfect moment to have an honest conversation.

Elena took a deep breath. "Lucia, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."

Lucia looked up, her expression wary. "What is it?"

Elena hesitated, then decided to be direct. "What exactly does Marco do for a living?"

Lucia's eyes flashed with irritation. "Elena, we've been over this. Why are you asking again?"

"Because I see the signs, Lucia," Elena pressed. "Gabriel does too. The strange men, the late nights, the hidden money. It doesn't take a genius to know something isn't right."

Lucia exhaled sharply, setting down the dish she was washing. "It's none of your concern."

"It is my concern," Elena shot back. "We live here. We share this house. If Marco is involved in something illegal—"

Lucia turned to her, her expression fierce. "You don't understand, Elena. You and Gabriel came here with nothing. We took you in, no questions asked. And now you're questioning my husband?"

Elena felt a pang of guilt, but she pushed forward. "We're grateful, Lucia. More than you know. But we need to know if we're living in a situation that could put us in danger."

Elena had expected resistance, maybe even sadness, but she hadn't expected the sheer fury in Lucia's eyes when she told her they were leaving.

Lucia slammed the kitchen cabinet shut, spinning to face her sister with an expression of pure anger. "You've got to be kidding me," she snapped. "You and Gabriel show up here with nothing, and now you think you have the right to question my husband?"

Elena stood her ground, though her heart pounded in her chest. "Lucia, we're not judging you or Marco. We just—"

"Then what do you call it?" Lucia cut her off, her voice rising. "You sneak around, watching Marco like he's some kind of criminal, whispering to each other behind our backs. Do you have any idea what we've done for you?"

Elena clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. "We're grateful, Lucia. More than you know. But we can't stay here knowing something isn't right. Marco is involved in something dangerous, and you won't even talk to me about it."

Lucia let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "You think you know everything, don't you? You and your holier-than-thou priest boyfriend. You don't know what it takes to survive in this world."

Elena's chest tightened at the words. "Lucia, this isn't about survival. This is about honesty. About safety. Gabriel and I left everything behind to build a new life, and we can't do that if we're constantly wondering if we'll wake up to police at the door—or worse."

Lucia's nostrils flared as she stepped closer, her voice low and seething. "Marco has done more for me than anyone else in this world. He gave me this home. He gave me a family. And you think you can come in here and tell me what's right and what's wrong? You, of all people? The girl who threw away everything because she couldn't control herself?"

Elena flinched at the jab, but she refused to back down. "I didn't throw anything away. I chose love. Just like you chose Marco. The difference is, I don't have to lie to myself about who Gabriel is."

Lucia's lips curled into a scornful smirk. "And what does that mean? That I'm lying to myself?"

Elena held her gaze, her voice steady. "I think you know exactly what your husband does. I think you've accepted it because it's easier than admitting the truth."

Lucia's face twisted with rage. "You're unbelievable," she hissed. "You come here, eat our food, sleep under our roof, and then spit in my face? If you don't want to be here, then leave!"

Elena took a deep breath, her heart aching at the anger between them. "We will."

Lucia scoffed and turned away, gripping the counter so tightly her knuckles turned white. "Good. Go be with your ex-priest and figure out how to survive without leeching off of me."

Tears burned behind Elena's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had hoped for understanding. Maybe even sadness. Instead, she was met with venom.

Without another word, she turned and walked out of the kitchen, her hands shaking.

Gabriel was waiting for her in their room, already packing their bags. He took one look at her face and knew.

"She didn't take it well," he murmured.

Elena shook her head. "She's furious."

Gabriel sighed, zipping up his bag. "Then we leave at dawn."

And just like that, everything they had known in Montverde came to an end.