Chapter 403

• Before the dinner began, the women naturally gravitated toward one side of the lounge, their voices weaving a soft hum of chatter and clinking glasses. Across the room, Salvador was deep in conversation with his brothers and uncles, their discussion sharp and rhythmic definitely something to do with the new South American merger.
• I took a seat beside Meredith, who was lounging on the pearl-gray chaise with her signature grace. Despite the flush on her cheeks and the silk scarf tied neatly around her neck, it was obvious she wasn’t well.
• “When you got engaged to Rafael,” she said, gently resting her teacup on the glass table, “I was in no shape to travel. I only managed to send a gift, and it still bothers me that I couldn’t be there in person. I hope you know how sincerely sorry I am, Cassandra.”