Santiago's sudden laughter cut through the building tension like a blade, the sound echoing across the destroyed ballroom. It was forced, theatrical, but effective enough to shift the dangerous atmosphere."Alright, alright!" Santiago held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Let's all calm down here. Luca, my friend, while it's true that Diego was fortunate to have you there tonight to save him, I don't think there's really a need for him to get on his knees. That's a bit much, don't you think?"Luca's face was still flushed with rage and humiliation, but Santiago's intervention gave him an out. He read the situation quickly, recognizing that pushing Diego further might have consequences he wasn't prepared for."You're right, of course." Luca's tone shifted abruptly, his anger transforming into condescension. "I was just teasing the poor cripple. Having a bit of fun. I'm far too generous a man to actually expect gratitude for my acts of valor.""Acts of valor," Esperanza repeated un

"Because I chose to show mercy. But the choice was mine to make." Diego flexed his gloved fingers. "That's the terrifying part, Esperanza. I have this power now. This ability to end lives with a single touch. And part of me—the dark part that's growing inside me—wants to use it."They sat in silence, the weight of this revelation hanging between them."Is that why you've been keeping your distance from me?" Esperanza asked finally. "Not just because the curse might spread, but because you're afraid of what you might do?""Both," Diego admitted. "The curse actively tries to spread to you because it recognizes you as a former host. And I'm terrified that in a moment of weakness, in a moment when the darkness takes over, I might hurt you without meaning to.""You would never—""You don't know that!" Diego's voice rose. "Neither do I! That's the problem! I feel myself changing, Esperanza. Becoming something darker. Something that sees violence as a solution rather than a last resort. What

"Arrogant even in defeat!" Santiago stood, pacing. "You've lost, Diego! Lost your wife's affection, lost your place in this family, lost everything! The least you could do is have the dignity to admit it!"Diego finally focused his full attention on Santiago. "I haven't lost anything that matters.""You're sleeping in a guest room!""By choice. To protect Esperanza.""That's what you're telling yourself?" Santiago laughed. "That's the lie you're using to cope with being rejected? 'I'm protecting her'? Pathetic!"Diego felt irritation beginning to build. Santiago's voice was like nails on a chalkboard—constant, grating, impossible to ignore."You should leave," Diego said quietly."I'm not done—""I'm giving you a warning, Santiago." Diego's voice dropped to something colder. "Keep pushing, and you might find yourself with... problems. Medical problems. The kind I fixed for you before."Santiago froze mid-word. His face went pale as memory crashed over him.Two years ago, before Diego

Diego ran his ungloved right hand through his hair, exhaustion evident. "What do you want me to say? That I'll ignore the danger? Pretend the curse won't try to spread to you? I can't do that.""Then figure out a way to make it safe!" Esperanza's voice dropped to desperate pleading. "Find a technique, a barrier, something that lets us be close without risking infection!""If there was a way, don't you think I'd have found it already?" Diego's own desperation showed through. "I've been researching, asking Gael, trying everything I can think of. There's nothing! The curse is too intelligent, too persistent. It wants you. And the only way to keep it from getting you is distance."They stood across the room from each other, the physical space between them feeling like an ocean."I hate this," Esperanza whispered. "I hate that you saved me but lost yourself in the process.""I didn't lose myself. I'm still here.""Are you?" She met his eyes. "Because the Diego I married wouldn't shut me ou

"Because you wouldn't have listened!" Luca's frustration showed through. "Every time I try to talk to you, you shut me down. You won't take my calls, won't respond to my messages. This was the only way to get you to actually hear me out!"Esperanza studied him, trying to determine if he was lying again. "You really have connections to specialists?""I do. My family's import business includes pharmaceuticals. We work with research facilities across Switzerland, Germany, Japan. Places that are doing cutting-edge work on conditions mainstream medicine can't touch." Luca moved back to the table. "Just sit down. Give me ten minutes to explain. If you don't like what you hear, you can leave. No strings attached."Esperanza wanted to storm out. Wanted to tell Luca exactly what she thought of his manipulation and deception.But if he really did have connections that could help Diego..."Ten minutes," she said finally, moving to the table but not sitting. "And this better not be another game."