Inside the room, Mara lay on her bed, her body still humming with the memory of Rafael's hands, his kisses, the way he whispered, "wait for me." She smiled faintly, tracing invisible shapes on her bedsheet. She imagined the surprise he'd promised—maybe flowers, maybe a planned dinner, or something bold like a weekend away. Maybe even…
Her smile deepened. A proposal.
In her mind's eye, she saw it: her in a white dress, Rafael waiting at the altar with that boyish grin, surrounded by her brothers, by her children, by love. A life she'd only dared to imagine until now. For once, her heart felt full.
Then the door opened.
Steve, Stefan, Stanley, and Stanford stepped inside—silent, still, their faces carved in grief.
Mara sat up slowly. "What's going on?"
They didn't speak.
