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

cautious.

One afternoon, Mariana found him in the west hallway staring at an empty wall.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Choosing a place for Lucía’s portrait.”

Mariana looked at the space. “Here?”

“She loved the afternoon light.”

Mariana smiled faintly. “Then this is right.”

Alejandro glanced at her. “Sofia said you helped her remember her mother when continue reading …