SHE WAS JUST THE MAID NO ONE NOTICED—UNTIL SHE TOOK THE SLAP MEANT FOR A LITTLE GIRL, AND THE MOST FEARED MAN IN THE HOUSE SAW EVERYTHING

on Sofia. She had been called worse. She had survived labels thrown by people who believed wealth made them pure. But Sofia looked up at her, frightened that the words might be true, and Mariana could not let that stand.

She turned to Alejandro. “Sir, I don’t want money from your family.”

Patricia scoffed.

Mariana continued, voice low but steady. “I just continue reading …