HE TOOK HIS FIANCÉE TO HIS POOR HOMETOWN TO TEST HER—BUT THE PAPER SHE HANDED HIM LEFT HIM TOO ASHAMED TO MEET HER EYES

Diego finally spoke.

“Lucia, I’m sorry.”

She dried her hands with a towel and looked at him.

“I was stupid,” he continued. “And cruel. I let other people’s ugly stories poison my thinking.”

Lucia remained quiet.

“I thought I was protecting myself,” he said. “But now I understand I was insulting you.”

“Yes,” she said softly. “You were.”

He lowered his eyes.continue reading …