Chapter 21

• The Castellano estate had been unusually quiet that evening, its grand halls bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers. Maya had attended yet another family dinner, reluctantly seating herself among Victor’s associates and family members. She spent the evening dodging Rafael’s piercing stares and keeping her head down.
• The tension in the air was noticeable, though Maya couldn’t quite place why. Victor’s smile seemed too forced, and Rafael’s silence was even more unnerving than his usual sharp comments. Something was brewing, and the unease settled like a stone in her stomach.
• As the dinner dragged on, the night’s serenity was shattered.